Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'brim'

English Word: brim

Key Russian Translations:

• край [kraj] - [Formal, Neutral]
• обо́док [ɐˈbodək] - [Informal, Often for hats or containers]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

край: [kraj]

Note on край: The stress is on the single syllable, pronounced with a rolled 'r' sound, which may be challenging for English speakers.

обо́док: [ɐˈbodək]

Note on обо́док: The stress falls on the second syllable, and the 'о' sounds like a short 'a' in unstressed positions.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Edge or border (e.g., of a hat, cup, or surface)

Translation(s) & Context:

• край - Used for the edge of objects like a cup, hat, or cliff; general and neutral term.
• обо́док - Often refers to the brim of a hat or a small rim; more specific and colloquial.

Usage Examples:

• Чашка наполнена до края.

  The cup is filled to the brim.

• Она поправила ободок своей шляпы.

  She adjusted the brim of her hat.

• Край обрыва был очень близко.

  The brim of the cliff was very close.

• Вода лилась через край миски.

  Water was spilling over the brim of the bowl.

• Ободок этой кепки очень стильный.

  The brim of this cap is very stylish.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

край (noun, masculine): Declines according to the second declension pattern for masculine nouns.

обо́док (noun, masculine): Also follows the second declension pattern for masculine nouns, with stress on the second syllable.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for край:

• граница
• рубеж

Note: "граница" often implies a boundary or border, while "рубеж" is more figurative or historical.

Antonyms for край:

• центр
• середина

Related Phrases:

• до края - "to the brim" (used for fullness or capacity)
• на краю - "on the brink/edge" (often used metaphorically for danger or critical situations)
• обо́док шляпы - "brim of a hat" (specific to headwear)

Usage Notes:

• "край" is the more general and versatile term, applicable to both physical edges (like a cliff or cup) and abstract concepts (like the edge of patience). It is the safer choice for most contexts.
• "обо́док" is more specific, often tied to smaller or decorative rims, particularly for hats or small containers. Using it for larger or abstract edges would sound unnatural.
• Pay attention to stress in "обо́док," as misplacing it can lead to misunderstandings or mispronunciation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "обо́док" for large or abstract edges, e.g., saying "обо́док обрыва" for "brim of a cliff."
  Correct Usage: Use "край обрыва." "Ободок" is inappropriate for large or non-decorative contexts.
• Error: Mispronouncing "край" as [krai] with a diphthong sound.
  Correct Usage: It is a short, sharp [kraj], with no elongated vowel sound.

Cultural Notes:

The word "край" also carries cultural significance in Russian, often used in literature and poetry to denote remote or frontier regions (e.g., "мой родной край" - "my native land"). It can evoke a sense of nostalgia or vastness, which may not directly translate to the English "brim."

Related Concepts:

• граница (boundary)
• предел (limit)
• рубеж (frontier)