Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cinder'

English Word: cinder

Key Russian Translations:

• зола [ˈzola] - [Neutral, Commonly used for ash or residue]
• шлак [ʂlak] - [Neutral, Often used for industrial residue or slag]
• уголёк [ʊɡɐˈlʲok] - [Informal, Diminutive, Refers to a small piece of burnt coal or ember]

Frequency: Medium (зола and шлак are more common in specific contexts; уголёк is less frequent)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner-Intermediate; зола and шлак are easier to learn, while уголёк requires understanding diminutive forms)

Pronunciation (Russian):

зола: [ˈzola]

Note on зола: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "о" is pronounced as a clear [o].

шлак: [ʂlak]

Note on шлак: The "ш" is a retroflex sound, distinct from English "sh".

уголёк: [ʊɡɐˈlʲok]

Note on уголёк: Stress on the second syllable. The "ё" is always stressed and pronounced as [jo].

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Ash or residue from burning (general)

Translation(s) & Context:

• зола - Used for ash from wood, coal, or other burnt materials, often in household or natural contexts.

Usage Examples:

• После костра осталась только зола.

  After the bonfire, only ash remained.

• Зола из печи используется как удобрение.

  Ash from the stove is used as fertilizer.

• Ветер разнёс золу по всему двору.

  The wind scattered the ash all over the yard.

2. Industrial residue or slag

Translation(s) & Context:

• шлак - Refers to industrial byproducts, often from metal production or coal burning.

Usage Examples:

• На заводе накапливаются тонны шлака.

  Tons of slag accumulate at the factory.

• Шлак можно перерабатывать для строительства.

  Slag can be recycled for construction.

3. Small burnt piece of coal or ember (colloquial)

Translation(s) & Context:

• уголёк - A diminutive form of "уголь" (coal), used affectionately or descriptively for small cinders or embers.

Usage Examples:

• В камине тлеет последний уголёк.

  The last little ember is smoldering in the fireplace.

• Осторожно, уголёк может обжечь!

  Be careful, the little cinder might burn you!

• Дети играли, раздувая угольки.

  The children were playing, blowing on the small embers.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

зола (feminine noun):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	зола	золы
Genitive	золы	зол
Dative	золе	золам
Accusative	золу	золы
Instrumental	золой	золами
Prepositional	золе	золах

шлак (masculine noun): Follows regular masculine noun declension (similar to above table, ending in -к).

уголёк (masculine noun, diminutive): Declines like regular masculine nouns with diminutive suffix -ёк.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for зола:

• пепел (more poetic or used for fine ash)

Synonyms for шлак:

• отходы (general term for waste)

Antonyms: None directly applicable for "cinder" in Russian.

Related Phrases:

• зола и пепел - "ash and dust" (used metaphorically for destruction or remnants)
• шлаковые отходы - "slag waste" (common in industrial contexts)
• тлеющий уголёк - "smoldering ember" (often used poetically or descriptively)

Usage Notes:

• "зола" is the most general term for ash or cinder and is safe to use in most everyday contexts.
• "шлак" is specific to industrial or technical contexts and should not be used for household ash.
• "уголёк" carries an affectionate or diminutive tone and is less formal; it often refers to a single small piece rather than a mass of cinders.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "шлак" for household ash.
  Incorrect: Зола в камине - это шлак.
  Correct: Зола в камине - это зола.
  Explanation: "шлак" is inappropriate for non-industrial contexts.
• Error: Mispronouncing "уголёк" by stressing the wrong syllable. Stress must be on "лё".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "зола" (ash) often carries symbolic meaning, associated with renewal (e.g., using ash as fertilizer) or destruction (e.g., in literature or folklore). "уголёк" might evoke imagery of warmth and home due to its association with fireplaces or stoves in traditional Russian settings.

Related Concepts:

• пепел (fine ash, often symbolic)
• уголь (coal, related to уголёк)
• огонь (fire, related contextually)