Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Arm'

English Word: arm

Key Russian Translations:

• рука [ˈrukə] - [General, Most Common]
• плечо [ˈplʲetɕə] - [Specifically Upper Arm]

Frequency: High (especially "рука")

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner) for "рука"; A2 (Elementary) for "плечо"

Pronunciation (Russian):

рука: [ˈrukə]

Note on рука: The stress is on the first syllable. The "у" sounds like the "oo" in "boot."

плечо: [ˈplʲetɕə]

Note on плечо: The "п" is soft due to the following "лʲ," and the stress is on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Arm as a Body Part (General)

Translation(s) & Context:

• рука - Used for the entire arm or hand in general contexts.

Usage Examples:

• У меня болит рука.

  My arm hurts.

• Она подняла руку, чтобы ответить.

  She raised her arm to answer.

• Дай мне руку, я помогу тебе встать.

  Give me your hand (arm), I'll help you get up.

2. Arm as Upper Arm (Specific)

Translation(s) & Context:

• плечо - Refers specifically to the upper part of the arm, between shoulder and elbow.

Usage Examples:

• У него сильные плечи от тренировок.

  He has strong upper arms from training.

• Я ушиб плечо, когда упал.

  I bruised my upper arm when I fell.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

рука (Feminine Noun):

плечо (Neuter Noun):

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for рука:

• кисть (specifically for hand)

Note: "кисть" is more specific to the hand/wrist area, while "рука" can mean the whole arm or hand.

Antonyms: None directly applicable for a body part like "arm."

Related Phrases:

• взять под руку - To take someone by the arm (to escort or guide).
• рука об руку - Hand in hand (figuratively, working together).
• опираться на плечо - To lean on someone's shoulder (literal or figurative support).

Usage Notes:

• "рука" is the default and most common term for "arm" in Russian, often used to refer to both the arm and hand unless specified otherwise.
• "плечо" is used when referring specifically to the upper arm or shoulder area. It can also mean "shoulder" in a broader sense.
• Be mindful of context: in casual speech, "рука" covers most situations, but in medical or anatomical discussions, "плечо" may be more precise for the upper arm.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "плечо" to refer to the whole arm.
  Incorrect: У меня болит плечо (intending to say the whole arm hurts).
  Correct: У меня болит рука.
  Explanation: "плечо" is specific to the upper arm or shoulder, so using it for the entire arm sounds unnatural.
• Error: Incorrect case usage due to lack of understanding of Russian declensions.
  Incorrect: Я держу руку (wrong case after "держу").
  Correct: Я держу руку за руку (if meaning holding by the hand/arm, though often simplified to just "держу за руку").
  Explanation: Russian nouns change form based on grammatical case; learners often forget this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, gestures involving arms, such as offering an arm for support ("взять под руку"), are common signs of politeness, especially when helping someone walk. Additionally, "рука" is often used metaphorically in expressions like "рука помощи" (a helping hand), reflecting a cultural emphasis on mutual support.

Related Concepts:

• кисть (hand/wrist)
• локоть (elbow)
• палец (finger)