Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'trophy'

English Word: trophy

Key Russian Translations:

• трофей /trɐˈfej/ - [Formal, Singular, Used in contexts like sports or historical achievements]

Frequency: Medium (Common in sports, military, and cultural discussions but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and basic vocabulary, as per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

трофей: /trɐˈfej/ (The stress is on the second syllable, with a rolled 'r' sound common in Russian pronunciation)

Note on трофей: Be cautious with the soft 'e' sound at the end, which can vary slightly in rapid speech; it's often pronounced more like /trɐˈfeɪ/ in informal settings.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A prize or award won in competition, or an object taken as a symbol of victory.

Translation(s) & Context:

• трофей - Used in formal or semi-formal contexts, such as sports events or historical narratives, to denote a physical trophy or memento of success.

Usage Examples:

• Он выиграл трофей в футбольном чемпионате. (He won the trophy in the football championship.)

  Translation: He won the trophy in the football championship. (This example shows the word in a sports context, with straightforward nominative case usage.)

• Музей выставляет трофеи из Великой Отечественной войны. (The museum displays trophies from the Great Patriotic War.)

  Translation: The museum displays trophies from the Great Patriotic War. (Illustrates historical usage, highlighting the word in a plural or collective sense.)

• Её трофей – это золотая медаль Олимпиады. (Her trophy is the Olympic gold medal.)

  Translation: Her trophy is the Olympic gold medal. (Demonstrates possessive structures and emphasis on personal achievement.)

• В коллекции есть несколько трофеев от различных соревнований. (In the collection, there are several trophies from various competitions.)

  Translation: In the collection, there are several trophies from various competitions. (Shows the word in a genitive context, indicating possession or origin.)

• Трофей был передан победителю на церемонии. (The trophy was handed to the winner at the ceremony.)

  Translation: The trophy was handed to the winner at the ceremony. (Exemplifies the word in instrumental case, focusing on the act of transfer.)

Secondary Meaning: A spoil of war or conquest (less common in modern usage).

Translation(s) & Context:

• трофей - Applied in historical or military contexts, emphasizing captured items as symbols of victory.

Usage Examples:

• Воины принесли трофей после битвы. (The warriors brought a trophy after the battle.)

  Translation: The warriors brought a trophy after the battle. (This highlights the word in a narrative, historical context.)

• Трофей из завоёванной крепости стал музейным экспонатом. (The trophy from the conquered fortress became a museum exhibit.)

  Translation: The trophy from the conquered fortress became a museum exhibit. (Shows genitive case in a descriptive sentence.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

трофей is a masculine noun in Russian, following the standard third declension pattern for nouns ending in a consonant. It undergoes regular inflection based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table of its key inflections:

Note: The plural form is used for multiple items, and inflections are regular, making it straightforward for learners at B1 level.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: приз (prize) - Often used interchangeably in sports contexts; награда (award) - More general, emphasizing recognition.
• Антонимы: поражение (defeat) - Implies the opposite concept of loss rather than a direct antonym.

Related Phrases:

• спортивный трофей - A sports trophy; commonly used in athletic events to denote competition prizes.
• военный трофей - A military trophy; refers to spoils of war, often with historical connotations.
• завоевать трофей - To win a trophy; a phrase emphasizing achievement in contests.

Usage Notes:

трофей directly corresponds to the English "trophy" in formal contexts like sports or history, but it's less common in everyday informal speech. Always consider the grammatical case when using it in sentences; for example, use the genitive form (трофея) to indicate possession. If multiple translations exist, choose "трофей" for precise, victory-related meanings over more general terms like "приз." Be mindful of cultural nuances, as it's often associated with national pride in Russian media.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the nominative form in all contexts, e.g., saying "Я видел трофей" instead of "Я видел трофей" (correct, but if it should be genitive, like "Я видел трофея [of the trophy]"). Correct Usage: Ensure proper declension, such as "Я взял трофей" for accusative. Explanation: English speakers often overlook Russian case systems, leading to grammatical inaccuracies.

• Error: Confusing with similar words like "приз," resulting in overuse. Correct Usage: Use "трофей" for war or major victories, as in "Это был трофей войны," not "приз войны." Explanation: This can make the sentence sound less precise or overly casual.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "трофей" often carries connotations of national heroism, especially in relation to World War II (the Great Patriotic War), where captured enemy items were displayed as symbols of victory. This reflects Russia's emphasis on historical resilience and collective memory in sports and military narratives.

Related Concepts:

• медаль (medal)
• кубок (cup or trophy in a broader sense)
• награда (award)