Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Bullet'

English Word: Bullet

Key Russian Translations:

• пуля [ˈpulʲə] - [General, Most Common]
• патрон [pɐˈtron] - [Technical, Refers to Cartridge]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "пуля"); B1 (Intermediate for "патрон")

Pronunciation (Russian):

пуля: [ˈpulʲə]

Note on пуля: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "л" sound is palatalized (soft), which is a common feature in Russian.

патрон: [pɐˈtron]

Note on патрон: Stress on the second syllable. The "р" is rolled slightly, typical of Russian pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Bullet as a Projectile

Translation(s) & Context:

• пуля - Used for the projectile fired from a gun, the most direct and common translation.

Usage Examples:

• Пуля попала в стену.

  The bullet hit the wall.

• Он увернулся от пули.

  He dodged the bullet.

• Пули свистели над головой.

  Bullets were whistling overhead.

2. Bullet as Ammunition (Cartridge)

Translation(s) & Context:

• патрон - Refers to the entire cartridge, including the bullet, casing, and powder; more technical.

Usage Examples:

• У него закончились патроны.

  He ran out of cartridges.

• Патрон застрял в магазине оружия.

  The cartridge got stuck in the gun's magazine.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

пуля (Feminine Noun): Follows regular feminine declension in Russian.

патрон (Masculine Noun): Follows regular masculine declension.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for пуля:

• снаряд (more general term for projectile, less common)

Note: "снаряд" can refer to larger projectiles like shells, so context is important.

Antonyms for пуля:

• None directly applicable.

Related Phrases:

• пуля-дура - Literally "stupid bullet," an idiom meaning a bullet doesn’t choose its target; reflects fatalistic views in Russian culture.
• зарядить патрон - "To load a cartridge," a common technical phrase in weaponry contexts.

Usage Notes:

• "пуля" is the most common and direct translation for "bullet" as the projectile. Use it in general contexts, especially in everyday speech or literature.
• "патрон" refers to the entire cartridge (bullet + casing). It’s more technical and used in contexts discussing ammunition or weaponry mechanics.
• Be mindful of context: using "патрон" when you mean just the bullet can sound overly formal or incorrect in casual conversation.

Common Errors:

• Mixing "пуля" and "патрон": English speakers often use "патрон" incorrectly for "bullet" alone. For example, saying "патрон попал в стену" (cartridge hit the wall) is wrong; it should be "пуля попала в стену."
• Pronunciation of "пуля": Beginners often miss the palatalized "л" sound, pronouncing it as a hard "l." Practice softening the "l" to sound natural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the word "пуля" often appears in literature and folklore, sometimes symbolizing fate or inevitability (e.g., in the idiom "пуля-дура"). It can carry emotional weight in contexts related to war or violence, reflecting Russia’s historical experiences.

Related Concepts:

• оружие (weapon)
• выстрел (shot)
• пистолет (pistol)