Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'bite'

English Word: bite

Key Russian Translations:

• кусать [ˈkusətʲ] - [Informal, Verb, Imperfective]
• укусить [ʊkʊˈsʲitʲ] - [Informal, Verb, Perfective]
• укус [ˈukus] - [Noun, Refers to the act or result of biting]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "кусать" and "укус"), B1 (Intermediate for "укусить")

Pronunciation (Russian):

кусать: [ˈkusətʲ]

Note on кусать: Stress falls on the first syllable; the 'у' sounds like 'oo' in "boot."

укусить: [ʊkʊˈsʲitʲ]

Note on укусить: Stress on the second syllable; the soft 'с' requires a slight palatalization.

укус: [ˈukus]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To bite (as an action, verb)

Translation(s) & Context:

• кусать - Used for repeated or habitual biting (imperfective aspect).
• укусить - Used for a single, completed act of biting (perfective aspect).

Usage Examples:

• Собака может кусать, если её дразнить.

  The dog might bite if you tease it.

• Он укусил меня за руку вчера.

  He bit me on the arm yesterday.

• Не кусай ногти, это вредно.

  Don't bite your nails, it's harmful.

2. A bite (as a noun, the act or mark)

Translation(s) & Context:

• укус - Refers to the physical act or result of biting, often used for insect or animal bites.

Usage Examples:

• У меня на ноге укус комара.

  I have a mosquito bite on my leg.

• Укус змеи может быть опасен.

  A snake bite can be dangerous.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

кусать (verb, imperfective): Regular conjugation in present, past, and future tenses.

укусить (verb, perfective): Used only in past and future tenses (no present form due to perfective aspect).

укус (noun, masculine): Declines according to the second declension pattern.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for кусать/укусить (verb):

• грызть (to gnaw, often for harder objects)
• цапнуть (to snap or bite quickly, colloquial)

Antonyms for кусать/укусить (verb):

• лизать (to lick)

Related Phrases:

• укусить за пятки - "to bite at the heels" (figurative, to chase or bother someone)
• кусать локти - "to bite one's elbows" (idiom, to regret something deeply)
• укус пчелы - "bee sting" (common phrase for a bee bite/sting)

Usage Notes:

• In Russian, the choice between "кусать" (imperfective) and "укусить" (perfective) depends on the aspect of the action. Use "кусать" for ongoing or habitual biting, and "укусить" for a single, completed bite.
• "укус" as a noun is commonly used for bites from insects or animals, but not typically for human bites unless specified (e.g., "укус человека").
• Be mindful of the context; "кусать" can also be used metaphorically (e.g., "кусать локти" for regret).

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "кусать" in a context requiring a single action (e.g., "Я кусаю его вчера" instead of "Я укусил его вчера"). Explanation: "кусать" is imperfective and unsuitable for past single actions; use "укусить" in perfective form ("укусил" for past masculine).
• Mistake: Confusing "укус" (bite) with "кусочек" (a small piece). Explanation: "укус" refers to the act of biting, while "кусочек" is a diminutive of "кусок" (piece), often used for food.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, idiomatic expressions like "кусать локти" (to bite one's elbows) are common to express deep regret or frustration over a missed opportunity. Such phrases are often vivid and tied to physical imagery, reflecting the expressive nature of Russian language.

Related Concepts:

• грызть (to gnaw)
• рана (wound)
• яд (poison, often related to bites)