Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Bolt'

English Word: bolt

Key Russian Translations:

• болт [bɒlt] - [Formal, Technical, Refers to a fastener]
• засов [zɐˈsof] - [Formal, Refers to a door bolt or lock]
• молния [ˈmolnʲɪjə] - [Formal/Informal, Refers to lightning bolt]

Frequency: Medium (varies by context; "болт" and "молния" are more common)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate; "болт" and "молния" are A2, while "засов" is B1 due to less frequent use)

Pronunciation (Russian):

болт: [bɒlt]

Note on болт: The stress is on the single syllable, pronounced with a clear, short "o" sound.

засов: [zɐˈsof]

Note on засов: Stress falls on the second syllable; the "o" is reduced in unstressed position.

молния: [ˈmolnʲɪjə]

Note on молния: Stress on the first syllable; note the soft "n" sound due to palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Bolt as a Fastener (e.g., screw or nut)

Translation(s) & Context:

• болт - Used in technical contexts, such as machinery or construction.

Usage Examples:

• Мне нужен болт, чтобы закрепить эту деталь.

  I need a bolt to secure this part.

• Этот болт слишком большой для отверстия.

  This bolt is too big for the hole.

• Где я могу купить болты и гайки?

  Where can I buy bolts and nuts?

2. Bolt as a Door Lock Mechanism

Translation(s) & Context:

• засов - Refers to a sliding bolt or latch used on doors or gates.

Usage Examples:

• Закрой дверь на засов, чтобы никто не вошёл.

  Lock the door with the bolt so no one can enter.

• Старый засов на воротах заржавел.

  The old bolt on the gate has rusted.

• Он отодвинул засов и открыл дверь.

  He slid the bolt back and opened the door.

3. Bolt as Lightning

Translation(s) & Context:

• молния - Used for natural phenomena, such as a lightning bolt.

Usage Examples:

• Во время грозы я видел яркую молнию.

  During the storm, I saw a bright lightning bolt.

• Молния ударила в дерево и подожгла его.

  A lightning bolt struck the tree and set it on fire.

• Молния осветила всё небо на мгновение.

  A lightning bolt lit up the entire sky for a moment.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

болт (bolt as fastener, masculine noun):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	болт	болты
Genitive	болта	болтов
Dative	болту	болтам
Accusative	болт	болты
Instrumental	болтом	болтами
Prepositional	о болте	о болтах

засов (bolt as lock, masculine noun): Follows similar declension patterns as "болт."

молния (bolt as lightning, feminine noun): Declines as a feminine noun ending in -ия; e.g., Nominative Singular: молния, Genitive Singular: молнии.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for болт (fastener):

• винт (slight difference; often refers to a screw)

Synonyms for засов (lock):

• задвижка (similar mechanism, often smaller)

Synonyms for молния (lightning): None commonly used.

Antonyms: No direct antonyms for any translation.

Related Phrases:

• болт с гайкой - "bolt with a nut" (common technical phrase)
• закрыть на засов - "to lock with a bolt" (common expression for securing a door)
• удар молнии - "lightning strike" (common natural phenomenon phrase)

Usage Notes:

• The choice between "болт," "засов," and "молния" depends entirely on context. "Bolt" as a fastener is always "болт," while a door bolt is "засов," and lightning is "молния."
• "болт" is the most technical term and is rarely used metaphorically, unlike "молния," which can also mean "zipper" in informal contexts.
• Ensure proper noun declension when using these words in sentences, as Russian grammar requires case agreement.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "болт" to refer to lightning. Wrong: "Я видел болт в небе." Correct: "Я видел молнию в небе." (I saw a lightning bolt in the sky.)
• Error: Confusing "засов" with "замок" (lock). "Засов" is specifically a sliding bolt, while "замок" refers to a key-operated lock.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "молния" (lightning) often carries symbolic meaning in folklore and literature, representing power or divine intervention. It is frequently mentioned in traditional stories about storms and gods like Perun, the Slavic god of thunder.

Related Concepts:

• гайка (nut, paired with bolt as fastener)
• гром (thunder, related to lightning)
• замок (lock, related to door bolt)