Signification
The risk involved in a situation.
Contexte culturel
The concept of 'на кону' is central to Dostoevsky's 'The Gambler'. It reflects the 19th-century Russian obsession with fate and sudden fortune. In the post-Soviet 90s, 'на кону' was often used literally in high-stakes, sometimes dangerous business deals. Today, it remains a staple of corporate rhetoric. The game of 'Gorodki' is one of the few places where 'кон' is still used in its literal sense, though the game is now a niche traditional sport. Russian politicians frequently use this phrase to describe international relations, framing them as a high-stakes game where national sovereignty is 'на кону'.
Use with 'Стоять'
For a more sophisticated and dramatic sound, use the verb 'стоять' (to stand). 'На кону стоит...' sounds much more natural in serious contexts.
Watch the Ending
Never say 'на коне' unless you mean you are riding a horse or winning. That one letter 'у' vs 'е' changes everything.
Signification
The risk involved in a situation.
Use with 'Стоять'
For a more sophisticated and dramatic sound, use the verb 'стоять' (to stand). 'На кону стоит...' sounds much more natural in serious contexts.
Watch the Ending
Never say 'на коне' unless you mean you are riding a horse or winning. That one letter 'у' vs 'е' changes everything.
Don't be too dramatic
Russians use this for serious things. Using it for 'what's for dinner' might make you sound like a drama queen/king.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct preposition and form of 'кон'.
В этой сделке ___ ___ (at stake) миллионы долларов.
'На кону' is the fixed idiom for 'at stake'.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly in a professional context?
Select the best option:
This correctly identifies a high-stakes professional situation.
Match the Russian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the pairs:
Distinguishing between these similar-sounding or related phrases is key.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural phrase.
А: Ты уверен, что хочешь уволиться? Б: Да, хотя я знаю, что ___ ___ моя карьера.
The speaker is acknowledging the risk to their career.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesВ этой сделке ___ ___ (at stake) миллионы долларов.
'На кону' is the fixed idiom for 'at stake'.
Select the best option:
This correctly identifies a high-stakes professional situation.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Distinguishing between these similar-sounding or related phrases is key.
А: Ты уверен, что хочешь уволиться? Б: Да, хотя я знаю, что ___ ___ моя карьера.
The speaker is acknowledging the risk to their career.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsNo, 'кон' is rarely used today outside of this idiom and the game of 'Gorodki'.
Yes, but if 'деньги' is plural, the verb should be 'стоят'. If it's 'жизнь' (singular), use 'стоит'.
It is neutral. You can use it in a business report or with a friend.
'На кону' implies there is a prize or a result to be won/lost. 'Под угрозой' only implies danger.
Yes, you can say 'На кону жизнь этого человека'.
Expressions liées
поставить на кон
builds onTo risk something deliberately.
идти ва-банк
similarTo go all-in.
под угрозой
similarUnder threat.
пан или пропал
similarAll or nothing.
быть на коне
contrastTo be successful/winning.
