Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'trump'

English Word: trump

Key Russian Translations:

• Козырь [koˈzɨrʲ] - [Informal, Used in card games or metaphorical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in recreational and casual conversations about games, but not everyday vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires basic understanding of Russian noun declensions and vocabulary related to games)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Козырь: [koˈzɨrʲ]

Note on Козырь: The stress falls on the second syllable ("zɨrʲ"). Be mindful of the soft 'r' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Pronounce it with a rolled or softened 'r' as in Russian phonetics.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A playing card of the suit that outranks all others in certain games.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Козырь - Used in informal card games like bridge or poker, often metaphorically to mean something advantageous.

Usage Examples:

• В этой игре козырь может изменить исход партии.

  In this game, the trump can change the outcome of the round.

• Он всегда держит козырь в рукаве для неожиданных ситуаций.

  He always keeps a trump up his sleeve for unexpected situations.

• Козырь в этой колоде — это пики, так что будьте осторожны.

  The trump in this deck is spades, so be careful.

• Если у тебя есть козырь, используй его мудро.

  If you have a trump, use it wisely.

Meaning 2: To surpass or outdo something (as a verb, less common translation).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Переиграть - Used in competitive contexts, such as sports or debates, implying strategic superiority.

Usage Examples:

• Ему удалось переиграть противника в финале.

  He managed to trump his opponent in the final.

• В переговорах она переиграла конкурентов с помощью новых идей.

  In negotiations, she trumped the competitors with new ideas.

• Не пытайся переиграть меня; у меня есть план.

  Don't try to trump me; I have a plan.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Козырь is a masculine noun in the third declension group. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for case and number. Below is a table of its declensions:

For the verb form like Переиграть, it is a perfective verb that conjugates irregularly in some tenses. Example: Present tense - Переигрывать (imperfective base).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Преимущество (Preimushchestvo) - Advantage, with a more general connotation.
  • Туз (Tuz) - Ace, specifically in cards, but can imply a strong card.
• Antonyms:
  • Проигрыш (Proigrysh) - Loss, indicating defeat.
  • Слабость (Slabost') - Weakness, opposite in a metaphorical sense.

Related Phrases:

• Держать козырь в рукаве - Literally "to hold the trump in the sleeve"; English equivalent: "To have an ace up one's sleeve" (Used for hidden advantages in negotiations or games).
• Козырной туз - "Trump ace"; English: "Wild card" (Refers to an unpredictable element in a situation).

Usage Notes:

'Trump' in English often relates to card games or surpassing others, and its Russian equivalent 'Козырь' is primarily used in similar contexts. Note that 'Козырь' is informal and may not fit formal writing; opt for more neutral terms like 'Преимущество' in professional settings. When using as a verb, 'Переиграть' implies a complete outmaneuvering, so ensure the context matches this intensity. English learners should pay attention to case declensions to avoid grammatical errors.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'Козырь' without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я имею Козырь" instead of "Я имею козырь" in accusative case.
  Correct: "Я имею козырь" (I have a trump). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, so beginners often forget to decline based on sentence structure.
• Mistake: Confusing 'Козырь' with 'Туз' (ace), leading to misuse in card contexts.
  Correct: Use 'Козырь' for the suit that trumps, not just a high card. Explanation: These are related but distinct; 'Туз' is specifically the ace card.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'Козырь' often appears in folklore and games like 'Durak' (a popular card game), symbolizing cleverness and strategy. It reflects the cultural emphasis on wit in social interactions, similar to how 'trump' might be used in Western card games, highlighting themes of unpredictability and triumph in everyday life.

Related Concepts:

• Карточная игра (Kartochnaya igra) - Card game
• Стратегия (Strategiya) - Strategy
• Преимущество (Preimushchestvo) - Advantage