Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'win'

English Word: win

Key Russian Translations:

• выиграть [vɨˈɪɡratʲ] - [Verb, Formal, Used in competitive contexts]
• победа [pɐˈbʲedə] - [Noun, Neutral, Refers to a victory or achievement]

Frequency: High (Common in everyday conversations, sports, and media)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and noun declensions for 'выиграть', while 'победа' is slightly easier at B1)

Pronunciation (Russian):

выиграть: [vɨˈɪɡratʲ]

победа: [pɐˈbʲedə]

Note on выиграть: The stress is on the third syllable; be careful with the soft 'г' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in informal speech may soften the vowels.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To achieve victory in a competition or contest (Verb form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• выиграть - Used in formal or informal contexts involving games, elections, or personal achievements, e.g., in sports commentary or daily conversations.

Usage Examples:

• Мы выиграли матч благодаря отличной командной работе.

  We won the match thanks to excellent team work.

• Она выиграла конкурс, потому что её идея была самой креативной.

  She won the contest because her idea was the most creative.

• В прошлом году команда выиграла чемпионат, но в этом сезоне всё иначе.

  Last year the team won the championship, but this season is different.

• Если ты выиграешь эту игру, то получишь приз.

  If you win this game, you'll get a prize.

Meaning 2: A state of victory or success (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• победа - Often used in historical, motivational, or celebratory contexts, such as wars, personal triumphs, or national holidays.

Usage Examples:

• Эта победа стала важным моментом в истории страны.

  This victory became a significant moment in the country's history.

• Победа в олимпиаде принесла ей мировую славу.

  Winning the Olympics brought her worldwide fame.

• После этой победы настроение в команде значительно улучшилось.

  After this win, the team's mood improved significantly.

• Победа над страхом — это первый шаг к успеху.

  Victory over fear is the first step to success.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'выиграть' (a verb), it follows the pattern of imperfective/perfective verbs in Russian. It is a perfective verb and conjugates based on tense, aspect, and person. Here's a basic conjugation table:

For 'победа' (a feminine noun, 1st declension), it declines regularly by case and number:

Note: 'победа' does not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • победить (to defeat or overcome, often more aggressive than выиграть)
  • завоевать (to conquer, implying effort or conquest)
• Antonyms:
  • проиграть (to lose)
  • поражение (defeat)

Related Phrases:

• Выиграть войну - To win a war (Used in historical or military contexts to denote ultimate victory).
• Победа над собой - Victory over oneself (A motivational phrase emphasizing personal growth and self-improvement).
• Достичь победы - To achieve victory (Common in speeches or self-help scenarios, implying effort leading to success).

Usage Notes:

'Выиграть' directly corresponds to the English 'win' as a verb and is commonly used in competitive scenarios, but it's important to note its perfective aspect, which focuses on the completion of the action. For ongoing actions, use the imperfective 'выигрывать'. 'Победа' as a noun aligns with 'win' or 'victory' and is neutral in tone, suitable for formal writing. In informal speech, 'выиграть' might be preferred in casual conversations, while 'победа' fits celebratory or reflective contexts. When choosing between translations, opt for 'выиграть' for actions and 'победа' for states or results.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'выиграть' without proper conjugation, e.g., saying "Я выиграть" instead of "Я выиграл".
  Correct: "Я выиграл" (I won). Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with the subject in person, number, and gender.
• Error: Confusing 'победа' with 'победить', e.g., using 'победа' as a verb.
  Correct: Use 'победить' for the verb form. Explanation: 'Победа' is a noun, so it cannot stand alone as an action; always pair it with appropriate verbs.
• Error: Overusing 'выиграть' in non-competitive contexts, e.g., "Я выиграл лотерею" when it's fine, but misapplying to abstract wins.
  Correct: In abstract contexts, use phrases like "достичь успеха". Explanation: 'Выиграть' is literal; for metaphorical wins, context matters to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'победа' holds deep historical significance, particularly referring to the Soviet victory in World War II (known as "День Победы" or Victory Day on May 9th). This word often evokes national pride and is used in patriotic contexts, symbolizing resilience and triumph over adversity, which can influence its emotional weight in everyday language.

Related Concepts:

• успех (success)
• соревнование (competition)
• триумф (triump)