Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'bead'

English Word: bead

Key Russian Translations:

• бусина [ˈbusʲɪnə] - [Singular, General Use]
• бусинка [bʊˈsʲinkə] - [Diminutive, Informal, Often Affectionate]
• бисер [ˈbʲisʲɪr] - [Collective, Refers to Small Beads or Beadwork]

Frequency: Medium (Common in crafts, jewelry contexts)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "бусина"; B1 for "бисер" due to specific usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

бусина: [ˈbusʲɪnə]

Note on бусина: Stress on the first syllable; the "у" is pronounced like "oo" in "boot".

бусинка: [bʊˈsʲinkə]

Note on бусинка: Diminutive form with stress on the second syllable; softer and more playful tone.

бисер: [ˈbʲisʲɪr]

Note on бисер: Stress on the first syllable; often used in plural or collective sense.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A small decorative object (e.g., in jewelry)

Translation(s) & Context:

• бусина - Standard term for a single bead, often used in necklaces or bracelets.
• бусинка - A smaller or affectionate reference to a bead, often in casual or childlike contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Она нанизала бусину на нитку.

  She threaded a bead onto the string.

• Эти бусинки такие яркие!

  These little beads are so bright!

• Я купила бусины для ожерелья.

  I bought beads for a necklace.

2. Tiny beads used in crafts or embroidery

Translation(s) & Context:

• бисер - Refers to very small beads, often used collectively for beadwork or sewing.

Usage Examples:

• Она вышивает бисером удивительные узоры.

  She embroiders amazing patterns with beads.

• Бисер рассыпался по всему столу.

  The beads spilled all over the table.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

бусина (Feminine Noun): Follows the standard feminine declension in Russian.

бусинка (Feminine Noun, Diminutive): Follows similar declension patterns as "бусина".

бисер (Masculine Noun): Typically used in singular for collective meaning; follows masculine inanimate declension.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for бусина:

• жемчужинка (more poetic, often for pearl-like beads)

Note: "жемчужинка" carries a more elegant or precious connotation compared to "бусина".

Antonyms: None directly applicable for "bead".

Related Phrases:

• нить бусин - a string of beads (refers to a necklace or similar item)
• вышивать бисером - to embroider with beads (common craft activity)
• рассыпать бисер - to scatter beads (literal or figurative for wasting effort)

Usage Notes:

• "бусина" is the most neutral and common term for a single bead, suitable for most contexts.
• "бусинка" is a diminutive form, often used affectionately or for smaller beads; it may sound overly informal in serious contexts.
• "бисер" refers specifically to tiny beads or beadwork; it is rarely used for larger individual beads.
• Be mindful of the plural forms when referring to multiple beads, as Russians often specify whether they mean individual beads ("бусины") or a collective mass ("бисер").

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "бисер" to refer to a single large bead. Wrong: "У меня есть один бисер." Correct: "У меня есть одна бусина." (Explanation: "бисер" is collective and used for tiny beads, not individual larger ones.)
• Error: Misusing diminutive "бусинка" in formal contexts. Wrong: Formal description like "Бусинка в ювелирном изделии." Correct: "Бусина в ювелирном изделии." (Explanation: Diminutives can sound childish or overly casual in formal writing.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, beads, especially "бисер", are deeply associated with traditional crafts like embroidery and jewelry-making. The phrase "метать бисер перед свиньями" (to cast pearls before swine) is a common idiom meaning to waste effort on someone who doesn’t appreciate it, showing the cultural value placed on beads as something precious.

Related Concepts:

• ожерелье (necklace)
• браслет (bracelet)
• вышивка (embroidery)