Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'water'

English Word: water

Key Russian Translations:

• вода [ˈvodə] - [Informal, Singular, Everyday use]

Frequency: High (вода is one of the most common nouns in Russian, used daily in various contexts).

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it is a basic vocabulary word essential for everyday communication).

Pronunciation (Russian):

вода: [ˈvodə]

Note on вода: The stress is on the first syllable ('vo-'), which is a common feature in Russian nouns. Be mindful of the soft 'd' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the lack of an exact equivalent.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Liquid H2O (The most common meaning, referring to the substance)

Translation(s) & Context:

• вода - Used in everyday contexts for drinking, cooking, or natural sources, such as rivers or rain. It is a general term for water in its liquid form.

Usage Examples:

• Я пью холодную воду каждое утро. (Ya p'yu kholodnuyu vodu kazhdoe utro.)

  I drink cold water every morning. (This example shows the noun in a daily routine context with an adjective for description.)

• Вода в реке чистая и прозрачная. (Voda v reke chistaya i prozrachnaya.)

  The water in the river is clean and transparent. (Illustrates usage in a natural environment, with the noun in nominative case.)

• Пожалуйста, принесите бутылку воды. (Pozhaluysta, prinesite butylku vody.)

  Please bring a bottle of water. (Demonstrates the noun in a genitive context within a request, common in service situations.)

• Вода необходима для жизни. (Voda neobkhodima dlya zhizni.)

  Water is necessary for life. (Shows a more abstract or scientific usage, emphasizing the noun's role in broader statements.)

• Я кипячу воду перед чаепитием. (Ya kipachu vodu pered chayepitiem.)

  I boil water before tea time. (Highlights the noun in an action-oriented sentence, often in domestic settings.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

вода is a feminine noun in the first declension. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: The plural forms are less commonly used for "water" as it is often uncountable, but they apply in contexts like "waters" (e.g., bodies of water). There are no irregular inflections for this word.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • жидкость (zhidkost') - More general term for liquid, but less specific to water; used in scientific contexts.
  • влага (vlaga) - Implies moisture or humidity, often in environmental or poetic contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • сухость (sukhost') - Dryness, contrasting with the presence of water.
  • пустыня (pustynya) - Desert, implying an absence of water in a broader environmental sense.

Related Phrases:

• Питьевая вода (Pityevaya voda) - Drinking water; refers to safe, potable water for consumption.
• Минеральная вода (Mineralnaya voda) - Mineral water; commonly used for bottled water with health benefits.
• Вода из-под крана (Voda iz-pod krana) - Tap water; often discussed in contexts of quality or safety in urban settings.
• Кипятить воду (Kipyatit' vodu) - To boil water; a fixed phrase for preparing safe drinking water.

Usage Notes:

вода directly corresponds to "water" in English as a basic noun, but Russian speakers often specify types (e.g., drinking or mineral) based on context. It is neutral in formality and can be used in both casual and formal settings. Grammatically, always treat it as a feminine noun, which affects adjective agreements (e.g., холодная вода for "cold water"). When choosing among translations, use вода for general purposes; if the context involves moisture, влага might be more appropriate. Be aware of regional variations, as water quality is a common topic in Russian culture due to historical and environmental factors.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я пью вода" instead of "Я пью воду" (accusative case after the verb пью).
  Correct: Я пью воду. (Explanation: In Russian, direct objects require the accusative case, so the ending changes from -a to -у.)
• Mistake: Confusing with synonyms, e.g., using влага when meaning liquid water in a simple context.
  Correct: Use вода for straightforward references to water; влага implies vapor or dampness. (Explanation: This can lead to misunderstandings in everyday conversations.)
• Mistake: Forgetting gender agreement, e.g., saying "холодный вода" instead of "холодная вода".
  Correct: холодая вода. (Explanation: Adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, вода symbolizes purity and life, often featured in folklore and literature, such as in fairy tales where water from sacred sources grants wishes. Historically, access to clean water has been a challenge in Russia due to vast landscapes and climate, influencing phrases like "вода из-под крана" in discussions about modernization and health.

Related Concepts:

• река (reka) - River
• озеро (ozero) - Lake
• дождь (dozhd') - Rain
• море (more) - Sea