Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'twelve'

English Word: twelve

Key Russian Translations:

• двенадцать /dvenadtsatʹ/ - [Formal, Informal; Used for cardinal numbers]

Frequency: High (Commonly used in everyday contexts such as counting, time-telling, and general descriptions).

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it is a basic cardinal number with straightforward pronunciation and usage).

Pronunciation (Russian):

двенадцать: /dvenadtsatʹ/

Note on двенадцать: The stress is on the third syllable (/dve-NAHD-tsatʹ/). Be mindful of the soft sign (ʹ) at the end, which indicates a palatalized 't' sound, a common feature in Russian that can be tricky for beginners.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: The cardinal number 12

Translation(s) & Context:

• двенадцать - Used in general counting, age, quantities, and time (e.g., in formal and informal settings for everyday communication).

Usage Examples:

• У меня двенадцать яблок в корзине.

  I have twelve apples in the basket. (This example shows the word in a simple declarative sentence for counting objects.)

• Ему исполнилось двенадцать лет на прошлой неделе.

  He turned twelve years old last week. (Illustrates usage with age, common in biographical or everyday contexts.)

• В комнате было ровно двенадцать стульев.

  There were exactly twelve chairs in the room. (Demonstrates use in describing quantities in a descriptive setting.)

• Поезд отходит в двенадцать часов пополудни.

  The train departs at twelve o'clock in the afternoon. (Shows the word in time-related contexts, which is frequent in schedules.)

• Двенадцать учеников собрались для урока.

  Twelve students gathered for the lesson. (Highlights usage in educational or group settings, varying grammatical structures.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The word "двенадцать" is a cardinal numeral in Russian, which typically does not inflect for case like nouns do, but it can change based on grammatical context, such as gender, number agreement, and usage in sentences. It remains largely invariable in its base form but must agree with the nouns it modifies in terms of case and number where applicable.

Note: As a numeral, "двенадцать" is invariable in plural forms and does not change for gender, but its endings adjust slightly for case as shown.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: No direct synonyms, as it is a specific cardinal number. However, related terms like "дюжина" (dyuzhina - meaning a dozen, which is equivalent to twelve) can be used in informal contexts for emphasis.
• Antonyms: одиннадцать (odinnadtsat' - eleven), тринадцать (tridtsat' - thirteen) - These are sequential numbers and can be considered opposites in numerical sequences.

Related Phrases:

• Двенадцать апостолов - The Twelve Apostles (Refers to a group in Christian tradition, often used in religious or historical contexts.)
• Двенадцать месяцев в году - Twelve months in a year (A common phrase for discussing calendars and time.)
• Полдень, или двенадцать дня - Noon, or twelve o'clock (Used for time-telling, emphasizing midday.)

Usage Notes:

The Russian translation "двенадцать" directly corresponds to the English "twelve" as a cardinal number and is used universally in both formal and informal settings. It is essential to note that in Russian, numerals like this must agree with the nouns they modify in case, as shown in the inflections table. For example, use "двенадцать" with plural nouns in the nominative case. When choosing between translations, "двенадцать" is the standard and most accurate for general use. In conversational Russian, it's common in everyday counting, but avoid overusing it in poetic or literary contexts where alternatives like "дюжина" might add flavor.

Common Errors:

• Error: Incorrect case agreement, e.g., saying "У меня двенадцать яблоков" instead of "У меня двенадцать яблок". (Correct: The noun "яблок" should be in genitive plural.) Explanation: English learners often forget that Russian requires case agreement, leading to grammatical errors. Always check the noun's case based on its role in the sentence.

• Error: Mispronouncing the stress, e.g., stressing the first syllable as /DVEnadtsatʹ/. (Correct: /dve-NAHD-tsatʹ/.) Explanation: This can make the word sound unnatural or confusing, as stress patterns are crucial in Russian pronunciation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the number twelve holds significance in traditions like the Orthodox Christian calendar, where it relates to the Twelve Apostles or the twelve days of Christmas (from December 25 to January 6). This can add a layer of cultural depth when using "двенадцать" in historical or festive contexts, making it more than just a number.

Related Concepts:

• одиннадцать (odinnadtsat' - eleven)
• тринадцать (tridtsat' - thirteen)
• дюжина (dyuzhina - dozen)