Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Bubble'

English Word: bubble

Key Russian Translations:

• пузырь [ˈpuzɨrʲ] - [Singular, Neutral]
• пузыри [pʊˈzɨrʲɪ] - [Plural, Neutral]
• пузырьки [pʊˈzɨrʲkʲɪ] - [Diminutive, Plural, Often Informal or Affectionate]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for all translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пузырь: [ˈpuzɨrʲ]

Note on пузырь: Stress falls on the first syllable. The 'ы' sound is a unique Russian vowel, pronounced as a short, unrounded 'i'.

пузыри: [pʊˈzɨrʲɪ]

пузырьки: [pʊˈzɨrʲkʲɪ]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Literal Meaning (Air or Gas Pocket in Liquid)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пузырь - Used for a single bubble, often in water or soap (e.g., a soap bubble).
• пузыри - Plural form, referring to multiple bubbles (e.g., in soda or boiling water).
• пузырьки - Diminutive form, often used for small bubbles or in a playful tone.

Usage Examples:

• На поверхности воды появился большой пузырь.

  A large bubble appeared on the surface of the water.

• В газировке много пузырей.

  There are many bubbles in the soda.

• Дети смеются, видя маленькие пузырьки в мыльной воде.

  The children laugh, seeing tiny bubbles in the soapy water.

• Пузырь лопнул, когда я его коснулся.

  The bubble burst when I touched it.

• В кипящей воде поднимаются пузырьки.

  Bubbles rise in the boiling water.

2. Figurative Meaning (Something Fragile or Temporary)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пузырь - Often used metaphorically to describe something fragile or illusory (e.g., economic bubble).

Usage Examples:

• Финансовый пузырь лопнул, вызвав кризис.

  The financial bubble burst, causing a crisis.

• Его мечты оказались мыльным пузырём.

  His dreams turned out to be a soap bubble (i.e., an illusion).

• Этот проект — просто пузырь, он не продержится долго.

  This project is just a bubble; it won’t last long.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

пузырь (Singular Masculine Noun): Follows the second declension pattern in Russian. Below is the declension table:

пузырьки (Diminutive Plural Form): Follows a similar declension pattern but is often used in specific contexts. It is less formal and can be affectionate.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• шарик (for small spherical objects or bubbles, less common)
• капля (in some contexts, like a bubble of liquid)

Note: "Шарик" often implies a solid spherical object, so it is less precise than "пузырь" for air bubbles.

Antonyms:

• твердость (solidity, in a figurative sense)

Related Phrases:

• мыльный пузырь - "soap bubble," often used figuratively to mean something fragile or illusory.
• пускать пузыри - "to blow bubbles," often used for children playing with soap bubbles.
• финансовый пузырь - "financial bubble," referring to an economic phenomenon.

Usage Notes:

• The word "пузырь" is the most neutral and widely used term for a bubble, applicable in both literal and figurative contexts.
• "Пузырьки" is a diminutive form, often used to describe smaller bubbles or in affectionate or playful contexts.
• In figurative use, "пузырь" often carries a negative connotation of fragility or illusion, especially in phrases like "мыльный пузырь" (soap bubble).
• Be mindful of the context when choosing between singular and plural forms, as Russians tend to specify number accurately.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "пузырьки" in formal or serious contexts.
  Incorrect: Финансовые пузырьки лопнули.
  Correct: Финансовый пузырь лопнул.
  Explanation: "Пузырьки" is diminutive and informal, unsuitable for serious topics like finance.
• Error: Forgetting to match the case of the noun with prepositions.
  Incorrect: Я вижу пузырь в воде.
  Correct: Я вижу пузырь в воде. (Correct here, but varies with other prepositions).
  Explanation: Russian nouns change form based on grammatical case; always check the preposition’s required case.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the phrase "мыльный пузырь" (soap bubble) is frequently used metaphorically to describe unrealistic dreams, plans, or expectations that are bound to fail or disappear. This imagery is deeply rooted in the language and often appears in literature and everyday speech.

Related Concepts:

• воздух (air)
• вода (water)
• мыло (soap)