Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'valentine'

English Word: valentine

Key Russian Translations:

• День Святого Валентина [ˈdʲen ˈsvʲatava vɐˈlʲentʲinə] - [Formal, Holiday Context]
• валентинка [vɐlʲɪnʲˈtʲinkə] - [Informal, Referring to a Valentine card or gift]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in romantic or holiday contexts, especially around February 14th, but not everyday vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires basic understanding of Russian noun cases and cultural holidays, but the words themselves are straightforward for learners with some exposure to Russian culture)

Pronunciation (Russian):

День Святого Валентина: [ˈdʲen ˈsvʲatava vɐˈlʲentʲinə]

валентинка: [vɐlʲɪnʲˈtʲinkə]

Note on валентинка: The stress is on the third syllable, which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'л' sound; it often softens in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Referring to Valentine's Day (a holiday celebrating love and romance)

Translation(s) & Context:

• День Святого Валентина - Used in formal or general contexts to describe the holiday, often in media, greetings, or cultural discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Мы отмечаем День Святого Валентина с семьёй каждый год.

  We celebrate Valentine's Day with the family every year.

• В России День Святого Валентина не является официальным праздником, но многие люди дарят подарки.

  In Russia, Valentine's Day is not an official holiday, but many people give gifts.

• Дети в школе готовят открытки к Дню Святого Валентина.

  Children at school prepare cards for Valentine's Day.

• В этом году мы решили провести День Святого Валентина в ресторане.

  This year, we decided to spend Valentine's Day at a restaurant.

Meaning 2: Referring to a Valentine card, gift, or romantic token

Translation(s) & Context:

• валентинка - Used informally for a card, note, or small gift exchanged on the holiday, especially in casual conversations or among friends.

Usage Examples:

• Я получил валентинку от своей подруги на День Святого Валентина.

  I received a Valentine from my girlfriend on Valentine's Day.

• Дети обмениваются валентинками в классе во время праздника.

  Children exchange Valentines in class during the holiday.

• Её валентинка была украшена сердечками и стихами.

  Her Valentine was decorated with hearts and poems.

• В магазине продают множество валентинок перед 14 февраля.

  Stores sell many Valentines before February 14th.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both key translations are nouns and follow standard Russian inflection patterns. "День Святого Валентина" is a phrase where "День" (day) is a masculine noun that inflects by case and number. "валентинка" is a feminine noun that inflects regularly.

Note: "День Святого Валентина" as a whole phrase doesn't inflect as a single unit but follows the rules of its components. "валентинка" is invariant in gender but changes by case as shown.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • День влюблённых (Day of the Lovers) - A more poetic alternative, often used interchangeably with День Святого Валентина.
  • Сердечный праздник (Heart Holiday) - Informal synonym emphasizing romance, with a slight cultural nuance for modern celebrations.
• Antonyms:
  • Одиночество (Loneliness) - Represents the opposite emotional state, often discussed in contrast to romantic holidays.

Related Phrases:

• С днем Святого Валентина! - A common greeting meaning "Happy Valentine's Day!" – Used for well-wishes on the holiday.
• Подарок на валентинку - A phrase meaning "Gift for a Valentine" – Refers to presents exchanged during the occasion.
• Романтический ужин в День Валентина - Meaning "Romantic dinner on Valentine's Day" – A typical activity phrase.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "valentine" is not directly translated as a single word but adapted based on context. Use "День Святого Валентина" for the holiday itself, which is formal and widely recognized, especially in urban areas influenced by Western culture. "валентинка" is more casual and specific to gifts or cards. Be mindful of cultural differences: Valentine's Day is commercialized in Russia but not as deeply rooted as in English-speaking countries. When choosing between translations, opt for "День Святого Валентина" in formal writing and "валентинка" in everyday conversations. Grammatically, ensure nouns agree in case with surrounding words, as Russian is highly inflected.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Валентин" (a male name) instead of "День Святого Валентина" for the holiday. Correct: Stick to "День Святого Валентина" for accuracy. Explanation: "Валентин" refers to a person's name, not the holiday, which can confuse learners mixing it with Saint Valentine.

• Error: Forgetting to inflect "валентинка" in sentences, e.g., saying "Я получил валентинка" instead of "Я получил валентинку". Correct: "Я получил валентинку". Explanation: Russian nouns must change based on case; here, accusative is needed after "получил".

Cultural Notes:

Valentine's Day in Russia, known as "День Святого Валентина", was introduced in the post-Soviet era and is seen as a modern, Western-influenced holiday. It symbolizes romantic love but is sometimes criticized for being overly commercial. Traditionally, Russia has its own love-related holidays like "День семьи, любви и верности" (Family, Love, and Fidelity Day) on July 8th, which emphasizes family bonds over romantic gestures.

Related Concepts:

• День влюблённых
• Романтика
• Подарки