Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'walkman'

English Word: walkman

Key Russian Translations:

• Вокман [vɐkˈman] - [Formal, as a proper noun referring to the brand; Used in general discussions about audio devices]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation, as it refers to a specific historical device from the 1980s; it's more relevant in nostalgic or technological contexts)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 level per CEFR; Involves recognizing and pronouncing loanwords, which requires familiarity with Russian phonetics and borrowing patterns)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Вокман: [vɐkˈman]

Note on Вокман: The stress is on the second syllable ('man'), which is typical for Russian adaptations of English loanwords. Be aware of the soft 'к' sound, which can be challenging for beginners.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A portable cassette player, often associated with the Sony brand from the 1970s-1990s.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Вокман - Used in formal or nostalgic contexts to refer specifically to the device, such as in discussions about music history or vintage technology.

Usage Examples:

• Я нашел старый Вокман на чердаке и решил его починить. (I found an old Walkman in the attic and decided to fix it.)

  English Translation: I found an old Walkman in the attic and decided to fix it. (This example shows the noun in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting everyday discovery.)

• В 80-е годы Вокман был символом мобильной музыки. (In the 1980s, the Walkman was a symbol of mobile music.)

  English Translation: In the 1980s, the Walkman was a symbol of mobile music. (This demonstrates the term in a historical context, emphasizing cultural significance.)

• Мой отец слушал любимые песни на своем Вокмане во время пробежек. (My father listened to his favorite songs on his Walkman during runs.)

  English Translation: My father listened to his favorite songs on his Walkman during runs. (This illustrates usage in a personal, anecdotal context with prepositional phrases.)

• В музее есть экспозиция, посвященная эволюции Вокмана. (In the museum, there's an exhibit dedicated to the evolution of the Walkman.)

  English Translation: In the museum, there's an exhibit dedicated to the evolution of the Walkman. (This shows the term in a formal, educational setting.)

• Дети сегодня даже не знают, что такое Вокман. (Kids today don't even know what a Walkman is.)

  English Translation: Kids today don't even know what a Walkman is. (This example uses the term in a comparative, generational context to highlight obsolescence.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Вокман is a masculine noun (мужской род) borrowed from English, and it follows the standard patterns for Russian third-declension nouns with some irregularities due to its foreign origin. It does not change in the nominative singular form but inflects in other cases. Below is a table outlining its basic inflections:

Note: The plural forms are less common, as "Вокман" typically refers to a specific item. Irregularities arise from its loanword status, so learners should memorize the genitive and instrumental forms carefully.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Плеер (pleer) - A general term for a music player; more modern and versatile. Аудиоплеер (audiopleer) - Emphasizes audio functionality, often used for digital devices.
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "Вокман" is a specific device; however, in broader contexts, стационарный проигрыватель (stationary player) could contrast with its portability.

Related Phrases:

• Слушать музыку на Вокмане - (To listen to music on a Walkman; Used in nostalgic or descriptive contexts to evoke 1980s culture.)
• Вокман с наушниками - (Walkman with headphones; Refers to the complete setup for personal listening.)
• Ремонт старого Вокмана - (Repairing an old Walkman; Common in hobbyist or vintage electronics discussions.)

Usage Notes:

"Вокман" directly corresponds to the English "Walkman" as a brand-specific term, but in Russian, it's often used more generically for any portable cassette player. It's primarily formal or neutral in tone and appears in contexts related to technology history or personal anecdotes. When choosing between translations, prefer "Вокман" for brand references and "плеер" for modern equivalents. Grammatically, it functions as a masculine noun, so adjectives and verbs must agree accordingly (e.g., "старый Вокман" for "old Walkman"). Avoid using it in contemporary tech discussions, as it may sound outdated.

Common Errors:

• Error: Mispronouncing as [ˈwɔːkmæn] (English-style) instead of the Russian [vɐkˈman]. Correct: Always use the adapted Russian pronunciation to ensure natural speech. Example of error: Saying "Уокман" with a hard 'w' sound; Correct: "Вокман" with the Russian 'v' sound.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, such as using "Вокмана" in nominative case. Correct: Only use inflected forms in appropriate grammatical contexts, e.g., "Я купил Вокман" (nominative) vs. "У меня есть Вокмана" (genitive for possession).

Cultural Notes:

"Вокман" symbolizes the 1980s cultural shift towards personal, portable entertainment in the Soviet Union and Russia. Introduced by Sony, it represented Western innovation during a time of technological scarcity, often evoking nostalgia for the pre-digital era. In Russian media, it's frequently referenced in films or literature about youth culture, highlighting themes of individualism and escapism.

Related Concepts:

• Плеер
• Наушники
• Кассета
• Аудиоплеер