Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'voice'

English Word: voice

Key Russian Translations:

• голос [ˈɡo.ləs] - [Informal, Formal; Used in everyday contexts for sound or expression]
• голосовой [ɡə.lɐˈsə.vɨj] - [Formal; Often used as an adjective, e.g., in technical or descriptive contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly encountered in daily conversations, literature, and media, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Learners at this level should grasp basic forms, but nuances in usage and inflections may require practice. For "голосовой", it might lean towards B1 if used adjectivally.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

голос: [ˈɡo.ləs]

Note on голос: The stress is on the first syllable; be mindful of the soft 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter vowel length.

голосовой: [ɡə.lɐˈsə.vɨj]

Note on голосовой: This is an adjective form; the stress shifts to the second syllable in some inflected versions. Pronunciation can vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The sound produced by humans or animals, such as speaking or singing.

Translation(s) & Context:

• голос - Used in casual or formal settings to refer to auditory sound, e.g., in descriptions of music or speech.

Usage Examples:

• Его голос звучит очень мелодично во время пения.

  His voice sounds very melodious during singing.

• Голос ребенка разнёсся по всему дому.

  The child's voice echoed throughout the house.

• Она потеряла голос из-за простуды.

  She lost her voice due to a cold.

• Голос диктора всегда четкий и уверенный.

  The announcer's voice is always clear and confident.

Meaning 2: A means of expression, opinion, or representation, such as in voting or advocacy.

Translation(s) & Context:

• голос - Applied in contexts like voting, opinions, or metaphorical expression; can be formal in political discussions.
• голосовой - Less common, but used for voice-activated technology or attributes.

Usage Examples:

• Каждый гражданин имеет голос в выборах.

  Every citizen has a voice in elections.

• Её голос в дебатах был убедительным.

  Her voice in the debates was convincing.

• Голосовой помощник на телефоне отвечает на вопросы.

  The voice assistant on the phone answers questions.

• Молодёжь должна иметь голос в общественных делах.

  Youth should have a voice in public affairs.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "голос" (a masculine noun), it follows standard first-declension patterns in Russian. It is inflected based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

For "голосовой" (an adjective), it inflects according to agreement with the noun it modifies, following standard adjectival patterns (e.g., голосовой, голосовая, голосовое in nominative singular). It does not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • голосок (a diminutive form, implying a smaller or softer voice)
  • речь (more focused on speech, with subtle differences in connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • тишина (silence, contrasting with the presence of sound)
  • немота (muteness, in the context of inability to speak)

Related Phrases:

• Голос в трубке - A voice on the line (e.g., when answering a phone call; refers to the sound heard during communication).
• Поднять голос - To raise one's voice (implies speaking louder, often in anger or emphasis; common in emotional contexts).
• Голос совести - Voice of conscience (a metaphorical phrase for inner moral guidance; used in philosophical or ethical discussions).

Usage Notes:

"Голос" directly corresponds to the English "voice" in most contexts, but English speakers should note that Russian often requires case inflections based on sentence structure. For example, use the genitive case (голоса) when indicating possession. In formal settings, prefer "голос" over more colloquial variants. When "voice" means opinion, "голос" works well, but choose based on context—e.g., in voting scenarios. For technical uses like voice assistants, "голосовой" is more precise.

• Always consider gender agreement if using adjectival forms.
• In informal speech, diminutives like "голосок" can add affection or nuance.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse case inflections, such as using the nominative "голос" in places where genitive "голоса" is needed (e.g., saying "Я слышу голос" instead of "Я слышу голоса" for plural). Correct usage: Incorrect: "У меня нет голос" (should be "У меня нет голоса" for "I don't have a voice"). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case with prepositions and verbs, which differs from English's lack of inflection.

• Error: Confusing "голос" with "речь" – They overlap but "речь" emphasizes content over sound. Correct: Use "голос" for auditory aspects.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "голос" often carries emotional weight in literature and music, as seen in folk songs or works by poets like Pushkin. For instance, the "voice" symbolizes national identity in revolutionary contexts, reflecting historical events like the Soviet era where public voices were both suppressed and celebrated through art.

Related Concepts:

• пение (singing)
• акцент (accent)
• интонация (intonation)