Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'bomb'

English Word: bomb

Key Russian Translations:

• бомба [ˈbombə] - [Formal, Informal, Noun]
• взрывное устройство [vzɨrɨvˈnoje ustrɨjˈstvo] - [Formal, Technical]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate) for "бомба"; B2 (Intermediate) for "взрывное устройство"

Pronunciation (Russian):

бомба: [ˈbombə]

Note on бомба: Stress is on the first syllable, pronounced with a short 'o' sound.

взрывное устройство: [vzɨrɨvˈnoje ustrɨjˈstvo]

Note on взрывное устройство: Stress falls on "взрыв" and "устрой", with a rolled 'r' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Explosive Device

Translation(s) & Context:

• бомба - General term for a bomb, used in both literal and figurative contexts (e.g., "time bomb").
• взрывное устройство - More technical, often used in formal or legal contexts to describe an explosive device.

Usage Examples:

• Самолёт сбросил бомбу на цель.

  The plane dropped a bomb on the target.

• Это настоящая бомба замедленного действия!

  This is a real time bomb! (figurative)

• Полиция обнаружила взрывное устройство в здании.

  The police found an explosive device in the building.

• Бомба взорвалась в центре города.

  A bomb exploded in the city center.

• Сапёры обезвредили взрывное устройство.

  The bomb disposal team defused the explosive device.

2. Failure or Disappointment (Figurative, Slang)

Translation(s) & Context:

• бомба - Rarely used in this sense in Russian; often replaced by other slang terms like "провал" (failure).

Usage Examples:

• Этот фильм — полный провал, а не бомба.

  This movie is a complete flop, not a bomb.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

бомба (noun, feminine): Follows the standard feminine declension pattern in Russian.

взрывное устройство (compound noun, neuter): The main word "устройство" declines as a neuter noun, while "взрывное" agrees with it as an adjective.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for бомба:

• снаряд (projectile, shell)
• взрывчатка (explosives)

Note: "снаряд" is often used for military contexts, while "взрывчатка" refers to explosive material rather than a device.

Antonyms for бомба:

• мир (peace)

Related Phrases:

• атомная бомба - Atomic bomb.
• бомба замедленного действия - Time bomb (literal or figurative).
• сбросить бомбу - To drop a bomb (literal or figurative, e.g., shocking news).

Usage Notes:

• "бомба" is the most common and versatile translation for "bomb," applicable in both literal and figurative contexts.
• "взрывное устройство" is a formal term often used in technical, legal, or news contexts. Avoid using it in casual speech.
• In slang or figurative contexts (e.g., "the party was a bomb"), Russian does not directly use "бомба." Instead, expressions like "провал" (failure) or other idioms are used.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "бомба" to describe a figurative failure (e.g., a bad movie). Wrong: Этот фильм — бомба. Correct: Этот фильм — провал (This movie is a flop).
• Error: Overusing "взрывное устройство" in casual conversation. Wrong: Я видел взрывное устройство в фильме. Correct: Я видел бомбу в фильме (I saw a bomb in the movie).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussions about bombs often carry historical weight due to the country's experiences in wars (e.g., WWII). The term "бомба" might evoke strong imagery or emotions in certain contexts, especially when referring to events like air raids ("бомбардировка").

Related Concepts:

• взрыв (explosion)
• снаряд (shell, projectile)
• бомбардировка (bombing, bombardment)