Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'chip'

English Word: chip

Key Russian Translations:

• чип [tʃip] - [Technical, often refers to microchip]
• щепка [ˈʃtʃepkə] - [Informal, refers to a small piece of wood or material]
• фишка [ˈfiʃkə] - [Colloquial, often used for gaming chip or token]

Frequency: Medium (varies by context)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner-Intermediate, depending on context and translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

чип: [tʃip]

Note on чип: The stress is on the single syllable, pronounced similarly to the English word "chip."

щепка: [ˈʃtʃepkə]

Note on щепка: Stress is on the first syllable; the "щ" sound is a soft, hissing "shch."

фишка: [ˈfiʃkə]

Note on фишка: Stress on the first syllable; the ending "ка" is a diminutive suffix, often used colloquially.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Microchip or electronic component

Translation(s) & Context:

• чип - Used in technical contexts, referring to a microchip or integrated circuit (e.g., in computers or devices).

Usage Examples:

• Этот чип отвечает за обработку данных в компьютере.

  This chip is responsible for data processing in the computer.

• У меня сломался чип в телефоне.

  The chip in my phone broke.

• Новые чипы производятся на этом заводе.

  New chips are manufactured at this factory.

2. Small piece or fragment (e.g., wood chip)

Translation(s) & Context:

• щепка - Refers to a small splinter or fragment, often of wood or other material.

Usage Examples:

• Я получил щепку в палец, когда рубил дрова.

  I got a splinter in my finger while chopping wood.

• Щепки от дерева разлетелись повсюду.

  Wood chips flew everywhere.

• Она вытащила щепку из руки с помощью пинцета.

  She pulled a splinter out of her hand with tweezers.

3. Gaming chip or token

Translation(s) & Context:

• фишка - Commonly used in gaming or gambling contexts to refer to a chip or token; also used metaphorically for a "trick" or "highlight."

Usage Examples:

• Он поставил все свои фишки на красное.

  He bet all his chips on red.

• Эта фишка казино стоит 100 рублей.

  This casino chip is worth 100 rubles.

• Его главная фишка — умение шутить в любой ситуации.

  His main chip is the ability to joke in any situation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

чип: Masculine noun, borrowed from English, follows the pattern of inanimate masculine nouns. Does not typically change in colloquial usage but follows standard declension for borrowed words.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	чип	чипы
Genitive	чипа	чипов
Dative	чипу	чипам

щепка: Feminine noun, regular declension for feminine nouns ending in "а."

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	щепка	щепки
Genitive	щепки	щепок
Dative	щепке	щепкам

фишка: Feminine noun, regular declension, often used colloquially.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for чип:

• микрочип
• микросхема

Note: "микрочип" is often interchangeable with "чип," while "микросхема" is more technical, referring to a circuit.

Synonyms for щепка:

• заноза
• осколок

Note: "заноза" specifically means splinter causing pain, while "осколок" can refer to fragments of other materials.

Synonyms for фишка:

• жетон
• токен

Antonyms: No direct antonyms for these terms, as they are context-specific.

Related Phrases:

• чип и дейл (Chip and Dale) - Refers to the cartoon characters, often used humorously.
• щепка в пальце - "Splinter in the finger," a common expression for a minor but annoying problem.
• главная фишка - "The main chip," meaning the key feature or highlight of something.

Usage Notes:

• The choice between "чип," "щепка," and "фишка" depends heavily on context. "Чип" is strictly technical, "щепка" refers to physical fragments, and "фишка" is often metaphorical or related to games.
• Be cautious when using "фишка" in formal settings, as it is colloquial and can sound out of place.
• "Чип" is a borrowed word and retains a foreign feel; it is rarely used outside tech contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "чип" to refer to a wood chip. Wrong: "У меня чип в руке" (I have a chip in my hand). Correct: "У меня щепка в руке."
• Error: Confusing "фишка" with "щепка" in metaphorical contexts. Wrong: "Это моя щепка" (This is my chip). Correct: "Это моя фишка" (This is my thing/trick).

Cultural Notes:

The term "фишка" carries a playful, informal tone in Russian and is often used to describe someone's unique trait or a cool feature. It reflects a casual, modern aspect of Russian slang, especially among younger speakers.

Related Concepts:

• микропроцессор (microprocessor)
• дерево (wood)
• игра (game)