Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Bone'

English Word: bone

Key Russian Translations:

• кость [ˈkostʲ] - [Common, General Use]
• косточка [kɐˈstoʧkə] - [Diminutive, Often Used for Small Bones or Affectionate Contexts]

Frequency: High (especially "кость")

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner) for "кость"; A2 (Elementary) for "косточка" due to diminutive nuance

Pronunciation (Russian):

кость: [ˈkostʲ]

Note on кость: The stress is on the first syllable. The final "ь" softens the preceding consonant.

косточка: [kɐˈstoʧkə]

Note on косточка: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "ч" is pronounced as a soft "ch".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Bone (Anatomical, Literal Meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• кость - Used for bones in humans, animals, or general contexts (e.g., skeletal structure).
• косточка - Refers to small bones, often in a tender or diminutive sense (e.g., fish bones or fruit pits).

Usage Examples:

• У собаки сломана кость.

  The dog has a broken bone.

• В рыбе много мелких косточек.

  There are many small bones in the fish.

• Эта кость очень твердая.

  This bone is very hard.

• Осторожно, не проглоти косточку от вишни!

  Be careful, don’t swallow the cherry pit!

• Он чувствует боль в костях.

  He feels pain in his bones.

2. Bone (Figurative or Idiomatic Meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• кость - Used in expressions or idioms, often metaphorically.

Usage Examples:

• У нас есть кость, которую нужно обсудить.

  We have a bone to pick (an issue to discuss).

Russian Forms/Inflections:

кость (feminine noun): Regular declension in Russian. Follows the pattern for feminine nouns ending in -ь.

косточка (feminine noun): Diminutive form, follows a similar declension pattern but with the suffix -очк-.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for кость:

• костный материал (formal, scientific)

Note: "костный материал" is rarely used in everyday speech and is mostly limited to scientific contexts.

Antonyms for кость:

• плоть (flesh)

Related Phrases:

• кость в горле - "A bone in the throat" (something annoying or problematic).
• до костей - "To the bone" (thoroughly or completely, often used for cold or exhaustion).
• перемывать кости - "To wash someone’s bones" (to gossip or speak ill of someone behind their back).

Usage Notes:

• "кость" is the standard and most widely used term for "bone" in Russian, applicable to both human and animal bones, as well as metaphorical uses.
• "косточка" carries a diminutive or affectionate tone and is often used for small bones (e.g., in fish) or fruit pits. It is less formal and more context-specific.
• In idiomatic expressions, "кость" is often used, so learners should familiarize themselves with common phrases to understand figurative meanings.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "косточка" for large bones or in formal contexts.
  Incorrect: У него сломана косточка в ноге.
  Correct: У него сломана кость в ноге.
  Explanation: "косточка" implies a small bone and sounds inappropriate for major bones like those in the leg.
• Error: Mispronouncing "кость" by stressing the final syllable.
  Explanation: The stress must be on the first syllable [ˈkostʲ], as incorrect stress can lead to misunderstandings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, bones often appear in folklore and proverbs, symbolizing strength or hardship (e.g., "до костей промерз" - frozen to the bone, indicating extreme cold). Additionally, "перемывать кости" (to gossip) is a common idiom reflecting a cultural tendency to discuss personal matters indirectly.

Related Concepts:

• скелет (skeleton)
• хрящ (cartilage)
• сустав (joint)