Russian Translation(s) & Details for '{{caput}}'

English Word: {{caput}}

Key Russian Translations:

• голова (golova) - [IPA: ɡəˈɫovə] - [Informal, Singular, Used in everyday conversation]
• головища (golovišča) - [IPA: ɡəɫɐˈvʲiʂʲə] - [Informal, Plural or emphatic form, Used in colloquial or regional dialects]

Frequency: Medium (Common in daily language but not as ubiquitous as basic words like "дом")

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner; Straightforward for new learners, but inflection patterns require basic grammar knowledge)

Pronunciation (Russian):

голова: [IPA: ɡəˈɫovə]

головища: [IPA: ɡəɫɐˈvʲiʂʲə]

Note on голова: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations may occur in dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Anatomical meaning (e.g., the head of a person or animal)

Translation(s) & Context:

• голова - Used in literal, everyday contexts, such as describing body parts in casual or medical discussions.
• головища - Informal variant for emphasizing size or in humorous contexts, like describing a large or cartoonish head.

Usage Examples:

• У меня болит голова. (U menya bolit golova.)

  My head hurts. (This example shows the word in a simple declarative sentence for expressing pain.)

• Он ударил мяч головой. (On udaril myach golovoj.)

  He headed the ball. (Demonstrates usage in sports contexts with instrumental case.)

• Её голова полна идей. (Eё golova polna idej.)

  Her head is full of ideas. (Figurative use in metaphorical expressions.)

• Головища у этого персонажа огромная! (Golovišča u etogo personazha ogromnaya!)

  This character's head is enormous! (Informal, emphatic form in storytelling or comedy.)

• Дети рисуют головы животных. (Deti risuyut golovy zhivotnyh.)

  Children are drawing heads of animals. (Plural form in creative or educational settings.)

Figurative meaning (e.g., leader or top of an organization)

Translation(s) & Context:

• голова - Used metaphorically for a leader, as in the "head" of a group, in formal or professional contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он — голова нашей команды. (On — golova nashej komandy.)

  He is the head of our team. (Idiomatic use to denote leadership.)

• Голова государства выступит на конференции. (Golova gosudarstva vystupit na konferencii.)

  The head of state will speak at the conference. (Formal political context.)

• В компании новая голова. (V kompanii novaya golova.)

  The company has a new head. (Business setting, implying a change in management.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Голова" is a feminine noun in Russian, and it follows the standard first declension pattern. It has regular inflections based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

For "головища", it is less common and follows a similar pattern but is often used in singular for emphasis and does not inflect irregularly.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: череп (cherep) - More specific to skull; макушка (makushka) - Refers to the top of the head.
• Antonyms: тело (telo) - Body, as opposite to head in anatomical contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Бить головой о стену (Bit' golovoj o stenu) - To bang one's head against the wall; English explanation: An idiom for futile effort or frustration.
• Голова на плечах (Golova na plechakh) - To have a head on one's shoulders; English explanation: Means to be sensible or level-headed.
• Потерять голову (Poteryat' golovu) - To lose one's head; English explanation: Implies acting irrationally due to emotion.

Usage Notes:

{{caput}} translates most directly to "голова" in Russian, but be aware that Russian nouns like this one must agree in case, number, and gender. For formal contexts, use the standard form; in informal speech, variations like "головища" add emphasis. When choosing between translations, opt for "голова" for literal meanings and metaphorical leadership roles. Remember, Russian word order is flexible, but the noun's inflection is crucial for sentence structure.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "голова" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я вижу голова" instead of "Я вижу голову" (I see the head).

  Correct: Я вижу голову. Explanation: English learners often forget case endings; always adjust based on the sentence's grammatical role.

• Error: Confusing with English idioms, e.g., translating "head over heels" directly as "голова над пятками," which is incorrect.

  Correct: Use "влюбиться по уши" (in love up to the ears). Explanation: Russian has its own idiomatic expressions, so direct translations can lead to unnatural phrasing.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "голова" often appears in proverbs like "Семь раз отмерь, один отрежь" (Measure seven times, cut once), emphasizing thoughtful decision-making with the head as a symbol of intellect. This reflects a cultural value on caution and wisdom, rooted in historical folk traditions.

Related Concepts:

• шея (sheya) - Neck
• мозг (mozg) - Brain
• тело (telo) - Body