Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Break'

English Word: Break

Key Russian Translations:

• ломать [ˈlomətʲ] - [Informal, Used for physical breaking]
• разбивать [rəzˈbʲivətʲ] - [Informal, Often for smashing or shattering]
• нарушать [nəˈruʃətʲ] - [Formal, Used for breaking rules or promises]
• перерыв [pʲɪrʲɪˈrɨf] - [Neutral, Used as a noun for a pause or break time]

Frequency: High (especially "перерыв" and "ломать")

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate; "перерыв" is A2, while "нарушать" can be B1 due to formal context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ломать: [ˈlomətʲ]

Note on ломать: Stress falls on the first syllable; the "o" is pronounced as a short "o".

разбивать: [rəzˈbʲivətʲ]

Note on разбивать: Stress on the second syllable; the "и" is a short, clear vowel.

нарушать: [nəˈruʃətʲ]

перерыв: [pʲɪrʲɪˈrɨf]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To physically break something

Translation(s) & Context:

• ломать - Used for breaking objects like sticks or bones, often implying effort.
• разбивать - Used for shattering glass or breaking something into pieces.

Usage Examples:

• Он сломал ветку руками.

  He broke the branch with his hands.

• Она разбила вазу случайно.

  She accidentally broke the vase.

• Не ломай игрушку, она новая!

  Don’t break the toy, it’s new!

2. To break a rule, promise, or law

Translation(s) & Context:

• нарушать - Used in formal contexts for breaking rules, laws, or agreements.

Usage Examples:

• Он нарушил правила дорожного движения.

  He broke the traffic rules.

• Нельзя нарушать обещания.

  You shouldn’t break promises.

3. A pause or interruption (noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• перерыв - Refers to a break in work, school, or activity.

Usage Examples:

• У нас перерыв на обед с 13:00 до 14:00.

  We have a lunch break from 1:00 to 2:00 PM.

• Давай сделаем перерыв на 10 минут.

  Let’s take a 10-minute break.

• После лекции был короткий перерыв.

  There was a short break after the lecture.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

ломать (verb, imperfective): Regular conjugation in present, past, and future tenses.

Person	Present	Past (Masc./Fem./Neut.)
Я (I)	ломаю	ломал / ломала / ломало
Ты (You)	ломаешь	ломал / ломала / ломало
Он/Она/Оно (He/She/It)	ломает	ломал / ломала / ломало

перерыв (noun, masculine): Declines regularly in cases.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	перерыв	перерывы
Genitive	перерыва	перерывов
Accusative	перерыв	перерывы

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "перерыв":

• пауза
• отдых

Note: "пауза" often implies a shorter or more informal break, while "отдых" can mean rest in a broader sense.

Antonyms for "перерыв":

• работа
• деятельность

Related Phrases:

• сделать перерыв - To take a break.
• нарушить тишину - To break the silence.
• разбить сердце - To break someone’s heart (idiomatic).

Usage Notes:

• The choice between "ломать" and "разбивать" depends on the object and context; "ломать" is more general, while "разбивать" implies shattering.
• "нарушать" is strictly for abstract breaking (rules, laws) and is more formal; it’s not interchangeable with the others.
• "перерыв" is a noun and cannot be used as a verb. To express "taking a break," use phrases like "сделать перерыв".

Common Errors:

1. Using "ломать" for breaking rules. Incorrect: "Он ломает правила." Correct: "Он нарушает правила." (He breaks the rules.)

2. Confusing "перерыв" with a verb. Incorrect: "Я перерыв." Correct: "Я делаю перерыв." (I’m taking a break.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, taking breaks ("перерыв") during work or school is highly valued and often structured, especially for meals or coffee. It reflects a balance between productivity and rest, and skipping breaks can be frowned upon in some settings.

Related Concepts:

• отдых (rest)
• пауза (pause)
• нарушение (violation)