Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Ceiling'

English Word: ceiling

Key Russian Translations:

• потолок [pətɐˈlok] - [Common, Neutral]

Frequency: High

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

потолок: [pətɐˈlok]

Note on потолок: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'о' in the first syllable is reduced to a schwa sound in unstressed position.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The upper interior surface of a room

Translation(s) & Context:

• потолок - Used to refer to the physical ceiling of a room or building.

Usage Examples:

• На потолке висит красивая люстра.

  A beautiful chandelier hangs from the ceiling.

• Потолок в этой комнате очень высокий.

  The ceiling in this room is very high.

• Мы покрасили потолок в белый цвет.

  We painted the ceiling white.

• С потолка капает вода после дождя.

  Water is dripping from the ceiling after the rain.

• На потолке появились трещины после ремонта.

  Cracks appeared on the ceiling after the renovation.

2. Figurative meaning (limit or maximum)

Translation(s) & Context:

• потолок - Used metaphorically to indicate an upper limit, such as in salary or capacity.

Usage Examples:

• У этой работы есть зарплатный потолок.

  This job has a salary ceiling.

• Мы достигли потолка в наших возможностях.

  We’ve reached the ceiling of our capabilities.

• Цены на жильё достигли своего потолка.

  Housing prices have hit their ceiling.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

потолок is a masculine noun. It follows the standard declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• перекрытие (more technical, often used in construction)

Note: "перекрытие" is less common in everyday speech and more specific to structural contexts.

Antonyms:

• пол (floor)

Related Phrases:

• стеклянный потолок - "glass ceiling" (a metaphorical barrier to advancement, often in a career context).
• потолок цен - "price ceiling" (an upper limit on prices).
• под потолок - "up to the ceiling" (used to indicate something is very high or full).

Usage Notes:

• The Russian word "потолок" is used for both literal ceilings (in buildings) and figurative ceilings (limits). Context usually clarifies the meaning.
• It is a neutral term and can be used in both formal and informal settings.
• Be mindful of the metaphorical use, as it might not always directly translate to "ceiling" in English idiomatic expressions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "потолок" when referring to something unrelated to a physical or metaphorical ceiling. For example, incorrectly saying "потолок" for "sky" (which is "небо").
  Incorrect: Потолок сегодня голубой. (The ceiling is blue today.)
  Correct: Небо сегодня голубое. (The sky is blue today.)
• Error: Misplacing stress in pronunciation. Stressing the first syllable instead of the second can make the word sound unnatural.
  Incorrect: [ˈpətɐlok]
  Correct: [pətɐˈlok]

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of a "glass ceiling" (стеклянный потолок) is often discussed in the context of gender inequality or career limitations, similar to English. Additionally, ceilings in traditional Russian homes, especially in older buildings, are often ornate or high, reflecting historical architectural styles.

Related Concepts:

• стена (wall)
• пол (floor)
• крыша (roof)