Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cage'

English Word: cage

Key Russian Translations:

• клетка [ˈklʲetkə] - [General, Neutral]
• клеть [klʲetʲ] - [Technical, Mining Context]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "клетка"); B2 (Intermediate for "клеть" due to specific context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

клетка: [ˈklʲetkə]

Note on клетка: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "е" sounds like "ye" in "yes."

клеть: [klʲetʲ]

Note on клеть: Stress is on the single syllable. The soft "т" requires a palatalized pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A structure for confining animals or birds

Translation(s) & Context:

• клетка - Commonly used for bird cages or small animal enclosures.

Usage Examples:

• Птица сидит в клетке на окне.

  The bird is sitting in a cage by the window.

• Мы купили клетку для хомяка.

  We bought a cage for the hamster.

• Клетка слишком мала для попугая.

  The cage is too small for the parrot.

2. A structure used in mining or industrial contexts (elevator or lift)

Translation(s) & Context:

• клеть - Refers specifically to a mining cage or industrial lift.

Usage Examples:

• Шахтёры спустились в клети на глубину 500 метров.

  The miners descended in the cage to a depth of 500 meters.

• Клеть используется для транспортировки оборудования.

  The cage is used for transporting equipment.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

клетка (feminine noun): Follows the standard feminine noun declension in Russian.

клеть (feminine noun): Also follows feminine noun declension, though less commonly used.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for клетка:

• вольер (for larger enclosures, especially outdoors)
• загон (for livestock pens)

Note: "вольер" is often used for larger or open-air cages, while "клетка" is typically smaller and enclosed.

Antonyms for клетка:

• свобода (freedom)

Related Phrases:

• выпустить из клетки - to let out of the cage (literal or metaphorical)
• жить как в клетке - to live like in a cage (feeling trapped or confined)

Usage Notes:

• "клетка" is the most common and versatile translation for "cage," suitable for most everyday contexts involving animals or metaphorical confinement.
• "клеть" is a specialized term primarily used in mining or industrial settings. It is rarely used outside these contexts, so English learners should avoid it unless discussing such topics.
• In metaphorical contexts (e.g., feeling trapped), "клетка" is almost always the appropriate choice.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "клеть" instead of "клетка" for a birdcage or animal enclosure.
  Incorrect: Птица в клети.
  Correct: Птица в клетке.
  Explanation: "клеть" is specific to industrial or mining contexts and sounds unnatural in everyday use for animal cages.
• Error: Incorrect case usage after prepositions.
  Incorrect: Я положил еду в клетка.
  Correct: Я положил еду в клетку.
  Explanation: After the preposition "в" (into), the accusative case "клетку" is required.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the metaphor of a "cage" (клетка) often appears in literature and speech to symbolize confinement, lack of freedom, or societal restrictions. For example, the phrase "жить как в клетке" (to live like in a cage) is a common expression for feeling trapped in one's circumstances.

Related Concepts:

• вольер (aviary or large enclosure)
• загон (pen for livestock)
• тюрьма (prison, another form of confinement)