Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Blotter'

English Word: blotter

Key Russian Translations:

• промокашка [prəmɐˈkaʂkə] - [Formal, Historical]
• сушилка для чернил [sʊˈʂɨlkə dlʲa tʂɨrˈnʲil] - [Descriptive, Rare]
• полицейский журнал [pəlʲiˈt͡seɪ̯skʲiɪ̯ ʐʊrˈnal] - [Formal, Legal Context]

Frequency: Low (Rarely used in modern contexts for "промокашка" and "сушилка для чернил"; "полицейский журнал" is more specific to legal contexts)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for "промокашка" and "сушилка для чернил" due to historical usage; C1 (Advanced) for "полицейский журнал" due to specialized terminology

Pronunciation (Russian):

промокашка: [prəmɐˈkaʂkə]

Note on промокашка: Stress falls on the third syllable. The "ш" sound is a retroflex fricative, distinct from English "sh."

сушилка для чернил: [sʊˈʂɨlkə dlʲa tʂɨrˈnʲil]

Note on сушилка для чернил: Stress is on the first syllable of "сушилка" and the second syllable of "чернил." Pay attention to soft consonants in "для."

полицейский журнал: [pəlʲiˈt͡seɪ̯skʲiɪ̯ ʐʊrˈnal]

Note on полицейский журнал: Stress is on the third syllable of "полицейский" and the second syllable of "журнал."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Absorbent Paper for Ink (Historical Context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• промокашка - Used historically to refer to blotting paper for absorbing excess ink.
• сушилка для чернил - A descriptive term, literally "ink dryer," less common and more literal.

Usage Examples:

• На столе лежала промокашка для письма пером.

  There was a blotter on the table for writing with a quill.

• В старых школах детям давали промокашку для чернильных ручек.

  In old schools, children were given blotters for ink pens.

• У него была сушилка для чернил, но она редко использовалась.

  He had an ink blotter, but it was rarely used.

2. Police Record or Log (Legal Context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• полицейский журнал - Refers to a police blotter or logbook where incidents are recorded.

Usage Examples:

• В полицейском журнале зафиксировали все происшествия за день.

  All incidents of the day were recorded in the police blotter.

• Журналист запросил доступ к полицейскому журналу для статьи.

  The journalist requested access to the police blotter for an article.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

промокашка (Noun, Feminine):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	промокашка	промокашки
Genitive	промокашки	промокашек
Dative	промокашке	промокашкам
Accusative	промокашку	промокашки
Instrumental	промокашкой	промокашками
Prepositional	о промокашке	о промокашках

сушилка для чернил (Noun Phrase, Feminine): The main noun "сушилка" follows the same declension pattern as "промокашка." "Чернил" (genitive plural of "чернила") remains unchanged.

полицейский журнал (Noun Phrase, Masculine): The main noun "журнал" declines as a masculine noun, while "полицейский" agrees in case, number, and gender.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for промокашка:

• бумага для промокания

Note: "бумага для промокания" is a more descriptive synonym, rarely used in modern Russian.

Synonyms for полицейский журнал:

• полицейский регистр
• журнал происшествий

Antonyms: No direct antonyms exist for these terms due to their specific nature.

Related Phrases:

• использовать промокашку - To use a blotter (historical context for ink absorption).
• запись в полицейском журнале - Entry in the police blotter (legal context).

Usage Notes:

• The term "промокашка" is largely historical and may not be familiar to younger Russian speakers. It is mostly associated with old writing practices.
• "сушилка для чернил" is a literal description rather than a commonly used term; it might be understood but sounds awkward in everyday speech.
• "полицейский журнал" is a specialized term used in legal or official contexts. English speakers should avoid using it outside of discussions related to law enforcement.
• When choosing between translations, context is critical. For historical or literary references to ink blotting, use "промокашка." For legal contexts, use "полицейский журнал."

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "промокашка" in modern contexts to refer to any absorbent paper. Explanation: This term specifically refers to ink blotters, not general paper towels or tissues. Correct usage: "промокашка" for historical ink blotting; use "бумажное полотенце" for paper towels.
• Error: Mispronouncing "промокашка" by stressing the wrong syllable. Explanation: Stress is on the third syllable [prəmɐˈkaʂkə], not the first or second. Incorrect: [ˈprəmɐkaʂkə].

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "промокашка" evokes images of old-school education and writing with fountain pens, often associated with Soviet-era classrooms. It carries a nostalgic connotation for older generations. On the other hand, "полицейский журнал" is tied to bureaucratic and legal processes, reflecting the meticulous record-keeping in Russian law enforcement.

Related Concepts:

• чернила (ink)
• перьевая ручка (fountain pen)
• полицейский протокол (police report)