Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'clasp'

English Word: clasp

Key Russian Translations:

• застёжка [zɐˈstʲɵʂkə] - [Noun, Feminine, Singular]
• зажим [zɐˈʐɨm] - [Noun, Masculine, Singular, Often for mechanical or technical contexts]
• сцеплять [st͡sɨpˈlʲætʲ] - [Verb, Imperfective, Often used for 'to clasp hands']

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in specific contexts like jewelry or mechanics)

Difficulty: застёжка - A2 (Beginner-Intermediate); зажим - B1 (Intermediate); сцеплять - B2 (Upper-Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

застёжка: [zɐˈstʲɵʂkə]

Note on застёжка: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'ё' is always stressed and pronounced as 'yo'.

зажим: [zɐˈʐɨm]

Note on зажим: The 'ж' sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, distinct from English 'zh'.

сцеплять: [st͡sɨpˈlʲætʲ]

Note on сцеплять: Stress on the second syllable; 'ц' is a distinct affricate sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A fastener or device for holding things together (e.g., jewelry, bags)

Translation(s) & Context:

• застёжка - Primarily used for fasteners like on necklaces, bracelets, or clothing.

Usage Examples:

• Застёжка на ожерелье сломалась.

  The clasp on the necklace broke.

• У этой сумки очень удобная застёжка.

  This bag has a very convenient clasp.

• Ты можешь застегнуть застёжку на платье?

  Can you fasten the clasp on the dress?

2. A device for gripping or holding (e.g., tools, mechanics)

Translation(s) & Context:

• зажим - Used for clamps or grips in technical or mechanical contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Этот зажим крепко держит деталь.

  This clasp holds the part tightly.

• Мне нужен зажим для проводов.

  I need a clasp for the wires.

3. To hold tightly or interlock (e.g., hands, embrace)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сцеплять - Often used for clasping hands or interlocking objects.

Usage Examples:

• Они сцепили руки в знак единства.

  They clasped hands as a sign of unity.

• Зубья шестерёнок сцепляются идеально.

  The gear teeth clasp perfectly.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

застёжка (Noun, Feminine):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	застёжка	застёжки
Genitive	застёжки	застёжек
Dative	застёжке	застёжкам
Accusative	застёжку	застёжки
Instrumental	застёжкой	застёжками
Prepositional	застёжке	застёжках

зажим (Noun, Masculine): Follows standard second declension patterns for masculine nouns.

сцеплять (Verb, Imperfective): Regular conjugation in present, past, and future tenses for first conjugation verbs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for застёжка:

• пряжка (buckle, often for belts)
• кнопка (snap, for clothing)

Note: 'пряжка' is more specific to belts, while 'кнопка' refers to snap fasteners.

Antonyms for застёжка/зажим:

• расстёгивание (unfastening)
• освобождение (release)

Related Phrases:

• застёжка-молния - Zipper (literally 'lightning clasp')
• зажим для бумаг - Paper clip or binder clip
• сцепить руки - To clasp hands (often in a symbolic or emotional context)

Usage Notes:

• 'застёжка' is the most common translation for 'clasp' in the context of jewelry or clothing fasteners. It is a feminine noun and often used in everyday speech.
• 'зажим' is more technical and applies to clamps or grips, often in tools or machinery. It is less common in casual contexts.
• 'сцеплять' as a verb is used for actions involving clasping or interlocking, such as hands or mechanical parts. It is imperfective, so for completed actions, use 'сцепить' (perfective).

Common Errors:

• Mixing up 'застёжка' and 'зажим': English learners often use 'зажим' for jewelry clasps, which sounds technical and incorrect. Correct: 'застёжка на браслете' (clasp on a bracelet); Incorrect: 'зажим на браслете'.
• Verb aspect errors with 'сцеплять': Using the imperfective 'сцеплять' for a one-time completed action. Correct: 'Они сцепили руки' (They clasped hands - one-time action); Incorrect: 'Они сцепляли руки' (implies repeated action).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'сцепить руки' (to clasp hands) often carries a symbolic meaning of unity or solidarity, frequently seen in literature or public demonstrations. Understanding this nuance can help convey emotional or cultural intent.

Related Concepts:

• пряжка (buckle)
• замок (lock, fastener)
• крючок (hook)