Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Charcoal'

English Word: Charcoal

Key Russian Translations:

• уголь [ˈuɡəlʲ] - [Common, Neutral]
• древесный уголь [drʲɪˈvʲesnɨj ˈuɡəlʲ] - [Specific, Used for charcoal made from wood]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in specific contexts like grilling or art)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate) for "уголь"; B1 (Intermediate) for "древесный уголь"

Pronunciation (Russian):

уголь: [ˈuɡəlʲ]

Note on уголь: Stress is on the first syllable. The 'г' sounds like a hard 'g'.

древесный уголь: [drʲɪˈvʲesnɨj ˈuɡəlʲ]

Note on древесный уголь: Stress falls on the second syllable of "древесный" and first syllable of "уголь".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Charcoal as a fuel or material for grilling

Translation(s) & Context:

• уголь - General term for coal or charcoal, often used in the context of grilling or heating.
• древесный уголь - Specifically refers to charcoal made from wood, often for barbecues.

Usage Examples:

• Мы купили уголь для шашлыка.

  We bought charcoal for barbecue.

• Древесный уголь лучше для гриля, чем обычный уголь.

  Wood charcoal is better for grilling than regular coal.

• У тебя есть уголь для мангала?

  Do you have charcoal for the grill?

2. Charcoal as a drawing material

Translation(s) & Context:

• уголь - Used in the context of art supplies for drawing or sketching.

Usage Examples:

• Художник рисовал портрет углём.

  The artist drew the portrait with charcoal.

• Мне нужен уголь для эскизов.

  I need charcoal for sketches.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

уголь (noun, masculine, inanimate):

древесный уголь (compound noun, masculine, inanimate): The adjective "древесный" agrees with "уголь" in case, number, and gender. Refer to the above table for "уголь" declension, and adjust "древесный" accordingly (e.g., Nominative Singular: древесный, Genitive Singular: древесного).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for уголь (in context of charcoal):

• древесный уголь (more specific)

Antonyms: None directly applicable in the context of charcoal.

Note: Synonyms may vary slightly in specificity. "Древесный уголь" explicitly indicates wood-based charcoal.

Related Phrases:

• разжечь уголь - to light charcoal (used for starting a grill or fire)
• рисовать углём - to draw with charcoal (art context)
• мешок угля - a bag of charcoal (common expression for buying charcoal)

Usage Notes:

• The word "уголь" can mean both "coal" and "charcoal" in Russian. Context is key to distinguishing the meaning. For clarity, especially when referring to grilling, "древесный уголь" is often used to specify wood charcoal.
• In artistic contexts, "уголь" alone is sufficient and widely understood as charcoal for drawing.
• Be mindful of the plural form "угли," which is often used when referring to burning or hot charcoal pieces (e.g., "угли в мангале" - "charcoal in the grill").

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "уголь" interchangeably without context. English learners might say "уголь" when referring to coal in a mining context, but this can confuse listeners if the intended meaning is charcoal for grilling.
  Correct Usage: Specify "древесный уголь" for charcoal if ambiguity arises. Example: "Купи древесный уголь для шашлыка" (Buy charcoal for barbecue) vs. incorrect "Купи уголь" (which could mean coal).
• Error: Incorrect case usage, such as using nominative "уголь" after prepositions requiring other cases.
  Incorrect: "Я рисую с уголь."
  Correct: "Я рисую с углём." (Instrumental case required after "с").

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, charcoal (especially "древесный уголь") is strongly associated with outdoor cooking, particularly "шашлык" (shashlik, a type of kebab). Grilling with charcoal is a popular activity during holidays and summer outings, often seen as a social bonding experience.

Related Concepts:

• шашлык (shashlik, grilled meat)
• мангал (grill or brazier for cooking over charcoal)
• дрова (firewood, often used alongside charcoal)