Russian Dictionary: A Guide for English Speakers
If you are learning Russian, or planning to visit Russia, you will need a good Russian dictionary to help you understand and communicate in this complex and beautiful language. A Russian dictionary is a reference tool that provides information about Russian words, such as their meanings, pronunciations, grammatical forms, and usage examples. In this article, we will explain what types of Russian dictionaries are available, how to use them effectively, and where to find them online or offline.
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What is a Russian dictionary?
A Russian dictionary is a collection of words in the Russian language, arranged in alphabetical order or by topic, with information about their meanings, pronunciations, grammatical forms, and usage examples. A Russian dictionary can be either bilingual or monolingual, depending on whether it provides translations to or from another language (usually English) or not. A Russian dictionary can also be specialized in a certain field or subject, such as medicine, law, or slang.
Types of Russian dictionaries
There are three main types of Russian dictionaries that you can use for different purposes: bilingual dictionaries, monolingual dictionaries, and specialized dictionaries.
Bilingual dictionaries
Bilingual dictionaries are the most common and useful type of Russian dictionaries for English speakers. They provide translations of Russian words to English and vice versa, as well as information about their pronunciation and grammar. Bilingual dictionaries can be either general or thematic, covering a wide range of topics or focusing on a specific one. Some examples of bilingual Russian-English dictionaries are:
The Cambridge EnglishRussian Dictionary: This dictionary is based on original research on the Cambridge English Corpus and includes more than 20,000 clear definitions in English with Russian translations. It also provides audio recordings of the words spoken in British and American English, as well as real examples from the corpus.
The Oxford Russian Dictionary: This dictionary is one of the most comprehensive and authoritative bilingual Russian-English dictionaries available. It contains over 185,000 words and phrases, covering both modern and historical aspects of the language. It also offers cultural notes, grammatical tables, and appendices on topics such as numerals, weights and measures, and abbreviations.
The Collins Russian Dictionary: This dictionary is designed for learners and travelers who need a practical and user-friendly guide to the language. It contains over 80,000 words and phrases, with clear and concise definitions and examples. It also features a section on Russian culture and communication, as well as tips on pronunciation and grammar.
Monolingual dictionaries
Monolingual dictionaries are dictionaries that only provide information about words in one language, without translations to or from another language. Monolingual dictionaries are more suitable for advanced learners who want to improve their understanding and mastery of the language. Monolingual dictionaries can also be either general or thematic, depending on their scope and content. Some examples of monolingual Russian dictionaries are:
The Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language by Vladimir Dal: This dictionary is a classic work of lexicography that contains over 200,000 words and expressions from the 19th century Russian language. It also provides etymological, historical, cultural, and regional information about the words, as well as proverbs, sayings, and anecdotes.
The Academic Dictionary of the Russian Language: This dictionary is a modern and comprehensive reference work that covers the contemporary standard Russian language. It contains over 150,000 words and phrases, with detailed definitions, synonyms, antonyms, usage notes, and examples. It also includes information about word formation, pronunciation, spelling, and style.
The OpenRussian.org Dictionary: This dictionary is a free and fast online dictionary that provides definitions, examples, audio recordings, and grammatical information for over 50,000 Russian words. It also allows users to search by word stems, endings, or parts of speech, as well as to create and share their own word lists.
Specialized dictionaries
Specialized dictionaries are dictionaries that focus on a specific field or subject, such as medicine, law, or slang. They provide specialized terminology and jargon that are not usually found in general dictionaries. Specialized dictionaries can be very useful for professionals, students, or enthusiasts who need to learn or use the vocabulary of a particular domain. Some examples of specialized Russian dictionaries are:
The Russian-English Medical Dictionary: This dictionary is a valuable resource for medical practitioners, researchers, and students who need to communicate in the field of medicine. It contains over 55,000 terms and abbreviations, covering anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, surgery, and more. It also provides pronunciation guides and cross-references.
The Russian-English Law Dictionary: This dictionary is a comprehensive guide to the legal terminology and concepts of Russia and other former Soviet republics. It contains over 25,000 entries, covering civil law, criminal law, constitutional law, international law, and more. It also provides explanations of legal institutions and procedures, as well as relevant citations and sources.
The Russian-English Slang Dictionary: This dictionary is a fun and informative way to learn about the informal and colloquial language of Russia and other Russian-speaking countries. It contains over 12,000 words and phrases, covering topics such as politics, sports, entertainment, internet, and more. It also provides usage notes and cultural references.
How to use a Russian dictionary
A Russian dictionary can be a very helpful tool for learning and improving your Russian skills. However, you need to know how to use it properly and effectively. Here are some tips on how to use a Russian dictionary:
Finding the right word
When you want to find the meaning or translation of a word in Russian or English, you need to look it up in the dictionary. However, sometimes you may encounter some difficulties or challenges when doing so. For example:
The word may have multiple meanings or translations depending on the context or situation. In this case, you need to choose the most appropriate one based on the clues from the sentence or paragraph.
The word may have different forms or variations depending on the gender, number, case, tense, mood, or aspect. In this case, you need to identify the root or base form of the word and look it up in the dictionary.
The word may be a compound word or a phrase that consists of two or more words. In this case, you need to look up each component separately and then combine them according to the rules of syntax and semantics.
Understanding the pronunciation
When you want to learn how to pronounce a word in Russian or English correctly , you need to consult the dictionary for the phonetic transcription or the audio recording of the word. However, sometimes you may encounter some difficulties or challenges when doing so. For example:
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The word may have different pronunciations depending on the dialect, accent, or register. In this case, you need to be aware of the variations and preferences of the speakers and listeners.
The word may have silent letters, stress patterns, or intonation contours that are not obvious from the spelling. In this case, you need to pay attention to the symbols and marks that indicate these features in the dictionary.
The word may have sounds or combinations of sounds that are not familiar or easy for you to produce or perceive. In this case, you need to practice and repeat the word until you master it.
Learning the grammar
When you want to learn how to use a word in Russian or English correctly and appropriately, you need to consult the dictionary for the grammatical information and examples of the word. However, sometimes you may encounter some difficulties or challenges when doing so. For example:
The word may belong to a different part of speech or category than you expected. In this case, you need to check the label or abbreviation that indicates the word class in the dictionary.
The word may have different forms or functions depending on the syntactic role or semantic relation. In this case, you need to check the table or list that shows the inflectional or derivational changes in the dictionary.
The word may have different rules or exceptions depending on the context or situation. In this case, you need to check the note or remark that explains the usage or restriction in the dictionary.
Expanding your vocabulary
When you want to expand your vocabulary in Russian or English, you need to consult the dictionary for the synonyms, antonyms, collocations, and idioms of the word. However, sometimes you may encounter some difficulties or challenges when doing so. For example:
The word may have similar or opposite meanings that are not exactly equivalent or interchangeable. In this case, you need to check the definition or explanation that shows the difference or nuance in the dictionary.
The word may have common or frequent combinations with other words that are not predictable or logical. In this case, you need to check the entry or section that shows the collocation or phrase in the dictionary.
The word may have figurative or metaphorical meanings that are not literal or transparent. In this case, you need to check the example or illustration that shows the idiom or expression in the dictionary.
Where to find a Russian dictionary
There are many sources and platforms where you can find a Russian dictionary for your needs and preferences. Here are some options:
Online dictionaries
Online dictionaries are dictionaries that are accessible through the internet on your computer or device. Online dictionaries are convenient and fast, as they allow you to search and browse words anytime and anywhere. Online dictionaries are also updated and interactive, as they provide new and relevant information and features. Some examples of online Russian dictionaries are:
Lingvo: This is a popular and comprehensive online dictionary that offers bilingual and monolingual Russian dictionaries, as well as specialized dictionaries in various fields and subjects. It also provides audio recordings, usage examples, synonyms, antonyms, collocations, idioms, and more.
Multitran: This is a powerful and extensive online dictionary that offers bilingual Russian dictionaries for over 20 languages. It also provides specialized terminology, abbreviations, slang words, phrases, and more.
Bab.la: This is a user-friendly and dynamic online dictionary that offers bilingual Russian dictionaries for over 30 languages. It also provides conjugation tables, quizzes, games, forums, and more.
Printed dictionaries
Printed dictionaries are dictionaries that are published in paper form and available in bookstores or libraries. Printed dictionaries are reliable and authoritative , as they are edited and reviewed by experts and professionals. Printed dictionaries are also durable and portable, as they can last for a long time and can be carried around easily. Printed dictionaries are also attractive and enjoyable, as they have a nice design and layout. Some examples of printed Russian dictionaries are:
The New Penguin Russian Course: A Complete Course for Beginners: This is a popular and comprehensive book that teaches you the basics of the Russian language, including grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and culture. It also includes a bilingual Russian-English dictionary at the end of the book, with over 10,000 words and phrases.
The Oxford Picture Dictionary English-Russian: This is a useful and engaging book that helps you learn and remember words in Russian and English through colorful illustrations and thematic categories. It contains over 4,000 words and phrases, covering topics such as everyday life, work, health, education, and more.
The Routledge Frequency Dictionary of Russian: Core Vocabulary for Learners: This is a valuable and innovative book that provides you with the most frequent and important words in the Russian language, based on a corpus of written and spoken texts. It contains over 5,000 words, with information about their frequency, meaning, usage, collocation, and register.
Mobile apps
Mobile apps are applications that are downloaded and installed on your smartphone or tablet. Mobile apps are convenient and accessible, as they allow you to use them anytime and anywhere without an internet connection. Mobile apps are also interactive and fun, as they provide games, quizzes, flashcards, and other features to help you learn and practice. Some examples of mobile Russian dictionaries are:
Reverso Context: This is a powerful and versatile app that provides you with bilingual Russian-English translations of words and phrases in context. It also provides audio recordings, synonyms, conjugations, grammar notes, and more.
Learn Russian Words Free: This is a user-friendly and effective app that helps you learn and memorize words in Russian through various methods and levels. It also provides audio recordings, pictures, sentences, tests, and more.
Russian Slang Dictionary: This is a fun and informative app that teaches you the informal and colloquial language of Russia. It contains over 2,000 words and expressions, with definitions, examples, audio recordings, and ratings.
Conclusion
A Russian dictionary is an essential tool for anyone who wants to learn or use the Russian language. It can help you find the meaning or translation of a word, understand the pronunciation or grammar of a word, or expand your vocabulary with synonyms, antonyms, collocations, or idioms. There are many types of Russian dictionaries available online or offline for different purposes and preferences. You can choose the one that suits your needs and goals best.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Russian dictionaries:
Q: How do I type in Russian on my keyboard?A: You can either use a virtual keyboard that allows you to switch between languages or install a software that enables you to type in Cyrillic letters using your existing keyboard layout.
Q: How do I pronounce the letter ё in Russian?A: The letter ё is pronounced like "yo" in "yoga". However, sometimes it is written as е without the dots in informal texts or signs. In this case, you need to rely on the context or the dictionary to determine the correct pronunciation.
Q: How do I know the gender of a noun in Russian?A: The gender of a noun in Russian is usually determined by its ending. Nouns ending in -а or -я are feminine; nouns ending in -о or -е are neuter; nouns ending in a consonant or -ь are masculine.
Q: How do I form the plural of a noun in Russian?A: The plural of a noun in Russian is usually formed by changing its ending according to its gender and number. For example: стол (table) - столы (tables); книга (book) - книги (books); окно (window) - окна (windows).
Q: How do I say "hello" in Russian?A: There are different ways to say "hello" in Russian depending on the situation and the level of formality. Some common ones are: здравствуйте (formal), привет (informal), добрый день (good day), доброе утро (good morning), добрый вечер (good evening).
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