Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Arrow'

English Word: Arrow

Key Russian Translations:

• стрела [strʲɪˈɫa] - [General, Neutral]
• указатель [ʊkɐˈzatʲɪlʲ] - [Figurative, e.g., directional arrow]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "стрела"); B1 (Intermediate for "указатель")

Pronunciation (Russian):

стрела: [strʲɪˈɫa]

Note on стрела: The stress falls on the second syllable. The "р" is rolled slightly, typical of Russian phonetics.

указатель: [ʊkɐˈzatʲɪlʲ]

Note on указатель: Stress on the third syllable. The soft "лʲ" at the end requires a palatalized pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Literal Arrow (Weapon or Symbol)

Translation(s) & Context:

• стрела - Used for a physical arrow, as in archery or historical contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он выпустил стрелу из лука.

  He shot an arrow from the bow.

• Стрела пролетела над полем.

  The arrow flew over the field.

• На карте нарисована стрела, указывающая север.

  An arrow pointing north is drawn on the map.

2. Figurative Arrow (Direction or Indicator)

Translation(s) & Context:

• указатель - Used for directional arrows or pointers, often in signage or diagrams.

Usage Examples:

• Следуй за указателем на дороге.

  Follow the arrow on the road.

• Указатель на экране показывает вправо.

  The arrow on the screen points to the right.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

стрела (feminine noun):

указатель (masculine noun): Follows standard masculine noun declension patterns with regular endings.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for стрела:

• дротик (dart, more specific)

Note: "дротик" is less common and often refers to smaller projectiles.

Synonyms for указатель:

• стрелка (pointer, often used for clock hands or small indicators)

Antonyms: None directly applicable for either term.

Related Phrases:

• выпустить стрелу - "to shoot an arrow" (literal or metaphorical for criticism).
• указатель направления - "directional arrow" (common in signage contexts).

Usage Notes:

• "стрела" is the primary term for a physical arrow and can be used metaphorically (e.g., "arrow of time"). It is more common in literary or historical contexts.
• "указатель" is strictly used for directional or indicative purposes, such as arrows on maps or screens. It does not refer to a weapon.
• Be mindful of the context when choosing between these translations, as they are not interchangeable.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "указатель" to refer to an arrow in archery. Incorrect: "Он стрелял указателем." Correct: "Он стрелял стрелой."
• Error: Misplacing stress in "стрела" as [ˈstrʲɪɫa] instead of [strʲɪˈɫa]. This can lead to misunderstandings or sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian folklore and literature, "стрела" often symbolizes fate or swift action, as seen in traditional stories of warriors and hunters. It carries a poetic connotation in many contexts.

Related Concepts:

• лук (bow)
• мишень (target)
• направление (direction)