Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Xerox'

English Word: Xerox

Key Russian Translations:

• ксерокс [ksʲɪˈrɔks] - [Informal, Noun, Used in everyday contexts for a photocopying machine]
• фотокопия [fɐtɐˈkopʲɪjə] - [Formal, Noun, Used in official or technical settings for a photocopy]
• ксероксовать [ksʲɪrɐˈksəvətʲ] - [Informal, Verb, Used when referring to the action of photocopying]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in modern Russian conversations, especially in office or daily life, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with loanwords and basic noun/verb inflections, but accessible to learners with some exposure to Russian technology-related terms).

Pronunciation (Russian):

ксерокс: [ksʲɪˈrɔks]

фотокопия: [fɐtɐˈkopʲɪjə]

ксероксовать: [ksʲɪrɐˈksəvətʲ]

Note on ксерокс: The initial "кс" sound is a loanword adaptation from English, which can be tricky for beginners; it's pronounced with a soft "s" sound, similar to "ks" in "box" but with Russian palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

As a noun: Refers to a photocopying machine or a photocopy.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ксерокс - Used in informal settings, such as casual office talk or everyday descriptions of office equipment.
• фотокопия - Preferred in formal contexts, like legal documents or professional environments, emphasizing the result rather than the device.

Usage Examples:

• Я пошёл к ксероксу, чтобы сделать копию документа. (I went to the Xerox machine to make a copy of the document.)

  Translation: I went to the Xerox machine to make a copy of the document. (This example shows the noun in a simple, everyday action.)

• В офисе сломался ксерокс, так что нам пришлось использовать фотокопию из другого отдела. (The Xerox broke in the office, so we had to use a photocopy from another department.)

  Translation: The Xerox broke in the office, so we had to use a photocopy from another department. (Illustrates comparison between translations in a practical scenario.)

• Она сделала несколько ксероксов важных контрактов для архива. (She made several Xeroxes of important contracts for the archive.)

  Translation: She made several Xeroxes of important contracts for the archive. (Demonstrates plural usage in a business context.)

• Ксерокс в библиотеке всегда занят, поэтому я предпочитаю фотокопию в цифровом формате. (The Xerox in the library is always busy, so I prefer a photocopy in digital format.)

  Translation: The Xerox in the library is always busy, so I prefer a photocopy in digital format. (Shows contrast and modern adaptation.)

• Если нужно срочно, используй ксерокс в углу. (If it's urgent, use the Xerox in the corner.)

  Translation: If it's urgent, use the Xerox in the corner. (Highlights informal imperative usage.)

As a verb: Refers to the action of photocopying.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ксероксовать - Informal and colloquial, often used among younger speakers or in tech-savvy environments.

Usage Examples:

• Можно ксероксовать этот файл прямо здесь? (Can I Xerox this file right here?)

  Translation: Can I Xerox this file right here? (Example of a direct question in an informal setting.)

• Он ксероксует документы каждый день для отчёта. (He Xeroxes documents every day for the report.)

  Translation: He Xeroxes documents every day for the report. (Shows habitual action in a routine context.)

• Не забудь ксероксовать паспорт перед поездкой. (Don't forget to Xerox your passport before the trip.)

  Translation: Don't forget to Xerox your passport before the trip. (Illustrates imperative form with practical advice.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

ксерокс is a masculine noun (borrowed from English), so it follows standard Russian declension patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. It has regular inflections but no irregularities.

фотокопия is a feminine noun and follows standard feminine declension:

ксероксовать is a verb and conjugates regularly in the first conjugation group. For example, in present tense: я ксероксу, ты ксероксуешь, он ксероксует.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • фотокопировальный аппарат (more formal, emphasizes the machine)
  • копир (a shorter, informal alternative)
  • Note: ксерокс is often preferred in casual speech due to its brevity and direct borrowing.
• Antonyms:
  • оригинал (original document, as it contrasts with a copy)

Related Phrases:

• Сделать ксерокс - Make a photocopy (Used for quick duplication in offices).
• Фотокопия документа - Photocopy of a document (Common in bureaucratic contexts).
• Ксероксовать urgently - To photocopy urgently (Implies haste in copying tasks).

Usage Notes:

ксерокс directly borrows from the English brand name and is used informally in Russian to mean a photocopying device or action, similar to how "Xerox" is used as a verb in English. However, in formal writing, opt for фотокопия to avoid brand-specific language. Be mindful of context: ксероксовать is more conversational and may not suit academic or official documents. When choosing between translations, consider the audience—younger or tech-oriented speakers prefer ксерокс, while professionals might use фотокопия for precision.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using ксерокс as a verb without proper conjugation, e.g., saying "я ксерокс" instead of "я ксероксу". Correct: "я ксероксу" (I Xerox). Explanation: Russian verbs must be conjugated based on subject; learners often forget this due to English influence.
• Mistake: Confusing genders in inflections, e.g., using feminine endings for ксерокс (which is masculine). Correct: Genitive is ксерокса, not ксероксы (feminine form). Explanation: This leads to grammatical errors; always check the noun's gender first.

Cultural Notes:

ксерокс reflects the influence of Western technology on Russian language, especially post-Soviet era when foreign brands like Xerox became common. It highlights how Russian adapts English loanwords, often simplifying them for everyday use, symbolizing globalization in office culture.

Related Concepts:

• принтер (printer)
• сканер (scanner)
• документ (document)