Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'wife'

English Word: wife

Key Russian Translations:

• жена [ˈʐɨ.nə] - [Formal/Informal; Used in everyday contexts for a married woman]
• супруга [sʊˈpru.ɡə] - [Formal; Often used in official or polite contexts, such as legal documents]

Frequency: High (Common in daily conversations, literature, and media in Russian-speaking regions)

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary; Straightforward for beginners, but understanding inflections may require intermediate knowledge)

Pronunciation (Russian):

жена: [ˈʐɨ.nə] (The 'ж' is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure' in English; stress on the first syllable)

супруга: [sʊˈpru.ɡə] (The 'у' is pronounced like the 'oo' in 'book'; stress on the second syllable)

Note on жена: Be cautious with the 'ы' sound, which is a central vowel unique to Russian and may be challenging for English speakers.

Note on супруга: The 'г' at the end is softened in some dialects, sounding like a 'k' in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A woman who is married to someone.

Translation(s) & Context:

• жена - Used in casual, everyday situations, such as family discussions or personal stories.
• супруга - Applied in more formal settings, like official records, speeches, or when emphasizing legal status.

Usage Examples:

• Моя жена любит готовить ужин для семьи.

  My wife loves to cook dinner for the family. (Shows everyday domestic context.)

• Он представил свою супругу на корпоративном мероприятии.

  He introduced his wife at the corporate event. (Illustrates a formal introduction.)

• В старой русской сказке главная героиня - верная жена героя.

  In the old Russian fairy tale, the main heroine is the hero's faithful wife. (Demonstrates use in literature or storytelling.)

• Её жена работает врачом в местной клинике.

  Her wife works as a doctor in the local clinic. (Highlights use in modern contexts, such as same-sex marriages, though traditional Russian usage may vary.)

• Супруга президента часто сопровождает его на международных встречах.

  The president's wife often accompanies him to international meetings. (Emphasizes formal or public roles.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "жена" and "супруга" are feminine nouns. "жена" follows the first declension pattern (typical for most feminine nouns ending in -a), while "супруга" also follows similar patterns but is less commonly inflected in everyday speech. Below is a table for "жена" as an example; "супруга" inflects similarly but is often used in nominative form.

For "супруга", it is invariant in many contexts but inflects as: Nominative singular - супруга; Genitive singular - супруги. These nouns do not change for gender but must agree in case with other words in the sentence.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • супруга (more formal, often implies a legal or official relationship)
  • половинка (informal, affectionate, meaning 'better half')
• Antonyms:
  • муж (husband)
  • незамужняя (unmarried woman, though not a direct antonym)

Related Phrases:

• Любимая жена - Beloved wife (Used affectionately in personal or romantic contexts.)
• Вторая половинка - Better half (Informal expression for spouse, implying a soulmate.)
• Домашняя хозяйка - Housewife (Refers to a wife who manages the home, with cultural connotations.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "жена" is the most direct translation of "wife" and is used universally, while "супруга" is preferred in formal writing or when emphasizing marital status legally. English speakers should note that Russian nouns must agree in case, number, and gender with accompanying words. For example, use "жена" in informal speech but switch to "супруга" in professional settings. Be aware of cultural nuances: Russian society often values traditional family roles, so context matters. If referring to same-sex marriages, "жена" is increasingly used but may not be traditional.

Common Errors:

• Using the wrong case: English learners often forget to decline "жена" properly. For example, incorrectly saying "Я люблю жена" instead of "Я люблю жену" (I love my wife). Correct usage: Always adjust for accusative case after verbs like "любить".
• Confusing with synonyms: Mixing up "жена" and "супруга" in context, e.g., using "супруга" in casual talk, which sounds overly formal. Tip: Reserve "супруга" for official documents.
• Gender agreement: Forgetting that adjectives must agree, e.g., saying "моя хорошая муж" (wrong) instead of focusing on "жена" as feminine.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "жена" often carries traditional expectations of family and domestic roles, influenced by historical and Orthodox Christian values. For instance, in literature like Tolstoy's works, the wife is depicted as a central figure in family life, symbolizing stability and devotion. However, modern Russian society is evolving, with more emphasis on gender equality, especially in urban areas.

Related Concepts:

• семья (family)
• брак (marriage)
• муж (husband)
• дети (children)