Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'bilge'

English Word: bilge

Key Russian Translations:

• ерунда [jeˈrundə] - [Informal, Colloquial; used for nonsense or foolish talk]
• трюм [trʲum] - [Formal, Nautical; refers to the ship's hull or bilge area]

Frequency: Medium (e.g., "ерунда" is commonly used in everyday informal speech, while "трюм" is more specialized in maritime contexts)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 for "ерунда" as it involves basic vocabulary and inflection; B2 for "трюм" due to its specific nautical terminology)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ерунда: [jeˈrundə]

Note on ерунда: The stress falls on the second syllable ("run"), which is a common feature in Russian words ending in -да. Be careful with the soft 'р' sound.

Audio: []

трюм: [trʲum]

Note on трюм: The 'т' is palatalized, making it sound softer; this is typical in Russian words with 'р' following consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Nonsense or foolish talk (informal, figurative use)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ерунда - Used in casual conversations to dismiss trivial or absurd ideas, often in everyday spoken Russian.

Usage Examples:

• Не верь этой ерунде; это просто сплетни.

  Don't believe this nonsense; it's just gossip.

• Его объяснения — чистая ерунда, никто не поверил.

  His explanations are pure nonsense; no one believed them.

• Почему ты тратишь время на такую ерунду?

  Why are you wasting time on such nonsense?

• Эта теория звучит как полная ерунда.

  This theory sounds like complete nonsense.

Meaning 2: The lowest part of a ship's hull or bilge water (literal, nautical use)

Translation(s) & Context:

• трюм - Used in technical or maritime contexts to describe the ship's lower compartment, often involving maintenance or engineering discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В трюме скапливается вода во время шторма.

  Water accumulates in the bilge during a storm.

• Моряки должны регулярно осушать трюм.

  Sailors must regularly drain the bilge.

• Повреждение трюма может привести к затоплению судна.

  Damage to the bilge can lead to the ship flooding.

• Трюм корабля был заполнен грузами и отходами.

  The ship's bilge was filled with cargo and waste.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "ерунда" (feminine noun, 1st declension):

It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns. Below is a table of its forms:

For "трюм" (masculine noun, 2nd declension, inanimate):

It has regular inflections as a standard masculine noun:

Both words are invariable in terms of gender and number in basic forms, but follow standard Russian declension rules without irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: чепуха (chepukha; similar to nonsense but slightly more dismissive), вздор (vzdor; implies absurdity with a hint of irritation)
• Antonyms: истина (istina; truth, directly opposing nonsense)

Related Phrases:

• Полная ерунда - Complete nonsense; used to emphasize total absurdity in casual conversations.
• Трюмный отстой - Bilge water or residue; a technical phrase in nautical contexts referring to accumulated waste.
• Не неси ерунду - Don't talk nonsense; a common idiomatic expression to urge someone to be serious.

Usage Notes:

"Ерунда" is the most direct and idiomatic translation for the figurative sense of "bilge" as nonsense, and it's best used in informal settings to avoid sounding overly formal. In contrast, "трюм" is reserved for literal maritime contexts and doesn't have everyday equivalents. When choosing between translations, opt for "ерунда" in spoken language or social discussions, but ensure context matches—e.g., avoid it in professional writing. Grammatically, both nouns require proper declension based on case, as Russian sentence structure demands agreement.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "ерунда" in formal or technical contexts, e.g., saying "Это ерунда" in a business meeting instead of a more neutral term like "чепуха".
  Correct: "Это не имеет смысла" (This doesn't make sense). Explanation: "Ерунда" is too colloquial and can come across as rude.
• Mistake: Incorrectly inflecting "трюм", e.g., using "трюма" in nominative case.
  Correct: Use "трюм" in nominative singular. Explanation: English speakers often overlook Russian case endings, leading to grammatical errors in sentences like "В трюме вода" (Water in the bilge).

Cultural Notes:

"Ерунда" reflects a cultural tendency in Russian communication to dismiss trivial matters lightheartedly, often in social or familial settings, emphasizing practicality over formality. In nautical contexts, "трюм" carries historical connotations from Russia's maritime history, such as in literature by authors like Tolstoy, where ships symbolize broader life struggles.

Related Concepts:

• чепуха
• вздор
• трюмный