Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'wedding'

English Word: wedding

Key Russian Translations:

• свадьба (/ˈsvadʲbə/) - [Informal/Formal, Singular]

Frequency: High (Commonly used in everyday conversations, media, and literature related to personal events.)

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary; straightforward vocabulary for beginners, but requires basic understanding of Russian noun declensions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

свадьба: /ˈsvadʲbə/

Note on свадьба: The stress is on the first syllable (/ˈsvadʲbə/). The 'дʲ' represents a palatalized 'd' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers—similar to the 'd' in 'dew'. Practice the soft consonants for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The ceremony or event of marriage

Translation(s) & Context:

• свадьба - Used in general contexts for a wedding celebration, including traditional Russian customs like toasts and dances. (Formal and informal settings, such as family events or news reports.)

Usage Examples:

• Мы готовимся к свадьбе моей сестры в следующем месяце.

  We are preparing for my sister's wedding next month.

• На свадьбе было много гостей из разных городов.

  There were many guests from different cities at the wedding.

• Свадьба прошла в старинном замке, что сделало её незабываемой.

  The wedding took place in an old castle, making it unforgettable.

• Во время свадьбы традиционно разбивают бокалы для удачи.

  During the wedding, it's traditional to break glasses for good luck.

• Свадьба в России часто включает народные песни и танцы.

  A wedding in Russia often includes folk songs and dances.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

свадьба is a feminine noun (3rd declension). It follows standard Russian noun declension patterns, which are regular but require attention to cases. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, but always ensure correct case agreement with adjectives and verbs in sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • бракосочетание (more formal, often used in legal or official contexts; implies the official marriage ceremony)
  • венчание (specifically refers to a religious wedding in the Orthodox tradition)
• Antonyms:
  • развод (divorce; used for the end of a marriage)

Related Phrases:

• свадебное путешествие - Honeymoon; a trip taken by the newlyweds after the wedding.
• свадебный торт - Wedding cake; the traditional cake served at receptions.
• свадебное платье - Wedding dress; attire worn by the bride during the ceremony.
• молодожёны на свадьбе - Newlyweds at the wedding; refers to the couple who just got married.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "свадьба" directly corresponds to the English "wedding" but often encompasses more cultural elements, such as family gatherings and traditions. It can be used in both formal (e.g., invitations) and informal contexts (e.g., casual conversations). Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as "свадьба" is feminine. When choosing between synonyms like "бракосочетание," opt for it in legal settings, while "свадьба" is more versatile for everyday use.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse the genitive case: Incorrect: "Я иду на свадьба" (wrong case). Correct: "Я иду на свадьбу" (accusative case for direction). Explanation: Russian requires proper case endings based on prepositions; "на" with accusative indicates motion toward.

• Misusing synonyms: Incorrect: Using "венчание" for a civil wedding. Correct: Use "свадьба" or "бракосочетание" for non-religious events. Explanation: "Венчание" specifically means a church wedding, so context matters to avoid cultural inaccuracies.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, a "свадьба" is not just a ceremony but a major social event often lasting multiple days, involving toasts with vodka, traditional dances like the "khorovod," and sometimes a "vykup nevesty" (bride ransom game). These customs reflect historical community values and can symbolize family unity and prosperity.

Related Concepts:

• медовый месяц (honeymoon)
• помолвка (engagement)
• семья (family)