Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'blow'

English Word: blow

Key Russian Translations:

• удар [ˈudar] - [Noun, Masculine, Used for physical hit or strike]
• дуть [dutʲ] - [Verb, Used for blowing air, wind]
• взрыв [vzriv] - [Noun, Masculine, Used for explosion or figurative blow]

Frequency: Medium (varies by context and translation)

Difficulty: удар - A2 (Beginner-Intermediate); дуть - B1 (Intermediate); взрыв - B2 (Upper-Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

удар: [ˈudar]

Note on удар: Stress on the first syllable. The 'r' is rolled slightly.

дуть: [dutʲ]

Note on дуть: The final 'tʲ' is palatalized, sounding softer.

взрыв: [vzriv]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Physical Hit or Strike

Translation(s) & Context:

• удар - Used for a physical blow, punch, or strike, often in sports or fights.

Usage Examples:

• Он нанес сильный удар по мячу.

  He delivered a strong blow to the ball.

• Удар был настолько сильным, что он упал.

  The blow was so strong that he fell.

• Его удар в боксе был непревзойденным.

  His blow in boxing was unmatched.

2. Blowing Air or Wind

Translation(s) & Context:

• дуть - Used for the action of blowing air, often with wind or breath.

Usage Examples:

• Ветер сильно дует сегодня.

  The wind is blowing hard today.

• Она дула на свечи, чтобы их потушить.

  She blew on the candles to extinguish them.

• Дуй сюда, чтобы раздуть огонь.

  Blow here to fan the fire.

3. Explosion or Figurative Impact

Translation(s) & Context:

• взрыв - Used for a literal explosion or a figurative devastating impact.

Usage Examples:

• Взрыв разрушил здание.

  The blast blew up the building.

• Эта новость была как взрыв для всех нас.

  This news was a blow to all of us.

• Его уход стал взрывом эмоций в команде.

  His departure was an emotional blow to the team.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

удар (Noun, Masculine): Follows the second declension pattern.

дуть (Verb, Imperfective): Conjugates as a first conjugation verb.

взрыв (Noun, Masculine): Follows the second declension pattern, similar to удар.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for удар:

• толчок (slight push or nudge)
• стук (knock or tap)

Antonyms for удар:

• защита (defense)

Synonyms for дуть:

• веять (to waft, often for wind)

Related Phrases:

• нанести удар - To deliver a blow (physical or metaphorical).
• ветер дует - The wind is blowing.
• взрыв эмоций - A burst of emotions (figurative blow).

Usage Notes:

• The choice between "удар", "дуть", and "взрыв" depends heavily on context. "Удар" is strictly for physical or symbolic strikes, while "дуть" is an action verb related to air movement. "Взрыв" often implies a destructive or sudden impact, literal or figurative.
• "Удар" can be used in sports, fights, or even metaphorical contexts like "a blow to one's pride".
• "Дуть" is often paired with prepositions like "на" (on) or "в" (into) to indicate direction of blowing.

Common Errors:

• Mixing up удар and взрыв: English speakers often use "взрыв" for a physical hit, but it specifically means "explosion". Correct: "удар кулаком" (a blow with a fist); Incorrect: "взрыв кулаком".
• Wrong conjugation of дуть: Beginners may forget the palatalized endings. Correct: "ду́ешь"; Incorrect: "дуеш".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, "удар" often appears in idiomatic expressions related to fate or unexpected events, such as "удар судьбы" (a blow of fate), reflecting a cultural tendency to personify life challenges as physical strikes.

Related Concepts:

• сила (strength)
• ветер (wind)
• разрушение (destruction)