Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'bun'

English Word: bun

Key Russian Translations:

• булочка [ˈbuɫətʃkə] - [Informal, Diminutive, Often used for small bread rolls]
• булка [ˈbuɫkə] - [Neutral, General term for bread or roll]
• пучок [ˈputʃək] - [Neutral, Used for hair bun]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in specific contexts like food or hairstyle)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "булочка" and "булка"); B1 (Intermediate for "пучок")

Pronunciation (Russian):

булочка: [ˈbuɫətʃkə]

Note on булочка: Stress is on the first syllable. The "чк" sound is a soft, diminutive marker, common in affectionate or small-object terms.

булка: [ˈbuɫkə]

Note on булка: Stress on the first syllable. Simple and clear pronunciation.

пучок: [ˈputʃək]

Note on пучок: Stress on the first syllable. The "ч" sound is like "ch" in "church."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Bun as a small bread roll or pastry

Translation(s) & Context:

• булочка - Often refers to a small, soft bread roll or sweet bun, used in informal or affectionate contexts.
• булка - A more general term for bread or a roll, can be used for larger or more neutral contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Я купила свежую булочку к чаю.

  I bought a fresh bun for tea.

• Дай мне, пожалуйста, булку с маком.

  Please give me a poppy seed bun.

• В магазине закончились булочки.

  The store ran out of buns.

2. Bun as a hairstyle

Translation(s) & Context:

• пучок - Refers to a bun hairstyle, often tied up hair in a knot.

Usage Examples:

• Она собрала волосы в аккуратный пучок.

  She tied her hair into a neat bun.

• Пучок на голове выглядит очень стильно.

  A bun on the head looks very stylish.

• Я быстро сделала пучок перед выходом.

  I quickly made a bun before leaving.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

булочка (feminine noun): Follows the first declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -а.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	булочка	булочки
Genitive	булочки	булочек
Dative	булочке	булочкам
Accusative	булочку	булочки
Instrumental	булочкой	булочками
Prepositional	о булочке	о булочках

булка (feminine noun): Similar declension pattern to булочка.

пучок (masculine noun): Follows the second declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for булочка/булка (bread context):

• сдоба (sweet pastry)
• рогалик (croissant-like roll)

Note: "сдоба" often implies a sweeter or richer dough compared to "булочка."

Synonyms for пучок (hairstyle context):

• узел (knot)

Antonyms: None directly applicable for these meanings.

Related Phrases:

• сладкая булочка - "sweet bun" (a small sweet pastry)
• булка хлеба - "loaf of bread" (a larger bread roll or loaf)
• высокий пучок - "high bun" (a hairstyle with the bun positioned high on the head)

Usage Notes:

• "булочка" is often used affectionately or for smaller rolls, while "булка" can refer to bread in general or a larger roll. Choose based on the size and tone of the context.
• "пучок" specifically refers to a hairstyle or a small bundle (e.g., of herbs), so it should not be confused with food-related terms.
• Ensure correct grammatical agreement with adjectives or verbs when using these nouns, as Russian requires case endings.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "булка" for a small sweet bun in an informal setting.
  Incorrect: Дай мне булку с кремом.
  Correct: Дай мне булочку с кремом.
  Explanation: "булочка" is more appropriate for small or sweet buns, especially in casual speech.
• Error: Misusing "пучок" for bread.
  Incorrect: Я купил пучок на завтрак.
  Correct: Я купил булочку на завтрак.
  Explanation: "пучок" does not relate to food in this context; it refers to a bundle or bun hairstyle.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "булочка" or "булка" often evokes a sense of comfort and home, as fresh bread and pastries are a staple in many households. Offering a "булочка" with tea is a common gesture of hospitality. Additionally, hairstyles like "пучок" are associated with practicality and elegance, often seen in traditional or formal settings.

Related Concepts:

• хлеб (bread)
• выпечка (baked goods)
• причёска (hairstyle)