Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Ajar'

English Word: ajar

Key Russian Translations:

• приоткрытый [prʲɪɐtˈkrɨtɨj] - [Formal, Informal]
• полуоткрытый [pəlʊɐtˈkrɨtɨj] - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

приоткрытый: [prʲɪɐtˈkrɨtɨj]

Note on приоткрытый: Stress falls on the third syllable. The soft "р" (prʲ) might be challenging for non-native speakers.

полуоткрытый: [pəlʊɐtˈkrɨtɨj]

Note on полуоткрытый: Stress on the third syllable as well. The prefix "полу-" often indicates "half" or "partially."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Slightly Open (Door, Window, etc.)

Translation(s) & Context:

• приоткрытый - Commonly used for doors or windows that are slightly open; suitable in both formal and informal contexts.
• полуоткрытый - More formal, often used in written language or technical descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Дверь была приоткрыта, и я услышал разговор.

  The door was ajar, and I heard the conversation.

• Окно оставили приоткрытым для свежего воздуха.

  The window was left ajar for fresh air.

• Полуоткрытая дверь вела в сад.

  The ajar door led to the garden.

• Она оставила ящик стола приоткрытым.

  She left the desk drawer ajar.

• Полуоткрытые ставни пропускали утренний свет.

  The ajar shutters let in the morning light.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both приоткрытый and полуоткрытый are adjectives in Russian and follow standard adjective declension rules based on gender, number, and case. Below is the declension table for приоткрытый as an example:

Note: The declension for полуоткрытый follows the same pattern, replacing the root accordingly.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for приоткрытый:

• полуоткрытый (more formal)
• слегка открытый (literally "slightly open")

Note: "слегка открытый" is more descriptive and less common in concise contexts.

Antonyms for приоткрытый:

• закрытый (closed)
• плотно закрытый (tightly closed)

Related Phrases:

• приоткрыть дверь - to open the door slightly (used as a verb form).
• оставить приоткрытым - to leave something ajar (common collocation).
• полуоткрытые глаза - half-open eyes (used metaphorically or descriptively).

Usage Notes:

• While both приоткрытый and полуоткрытый translate "ajar," the former is more versatile and widely used in spoken and written Russian. Use полуоткрытый in formal or technical contexts.
• These adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, as shown in the inflection table.
• The concept of "ajar" in Russian is almost exclusively used for physical objects like doors or windows. It is rarely used metaphorically unless specified (e.g., "half-open eyes").

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the verb form приоткрыть (to open slightly) as an adjective.
  Incorrect: Дверь приоткрыть.
  Correct: Дверь приоткрыта (past participle used as adjective).
• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement with the noun.
  Incorrect: Окно приоткрытый.
  Correct: Окно приоткрытое (neuter form).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, leaving a door or window ajar (приоткрытый) can sometimes imply a sense of invitation or openness, especially in rural settings. However, in urban apartments, it might be associated with carelessness or lack of privacy, so context matters when describing such a state.

Related Concepts:

• открытый (open)
• закрытый (closed)
• приоткрывать (to open slightly, verb)