Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Clockwise'

English Word: clockwise

Key Russian Translations:

• по часовой стрелке [pə tɕɪˈsovəj ˈstrʲelkʲɪ] - [Neutral, Most Common]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner to Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

по часовой стрелке: [pə tɕɪˈsovəj ˈstrʲelkʲɪ]

Note on по часовой стрелке: Pay attention to the stress on "часовой" (second syllable) and "стрелке" (first syllable). The preposition "по" is unstressed.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Direction of Movement (Following the Clock's Hands)

Translation(s) & Context:

• по часовой стрелке - Used to describe movement or rotation in the direction of a clock's hands (rightward or circular).

Usage Examples:

• Поверните ручку по часовой стрелке, чтобы открыть дверь.

  Turn the handle clockwise to open the door.

• Колесо вращается по часовой стрелке.

  The wheel rotates clockwise.

• Мы шли по кругу по часовой стрелке.

  We walked in a circle clockwise.

• Закрутите винт по часовой стрелке, чтобы закрепить его.

  Tighten the screw clockwise to secure it.

• На карте направление указано по часовой стрелке.

  The direction on the map is indicated clockwise.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The phrase по часовой стрелке is a fixed adverbial expression in Russian and does not inflect. It consists of the preposition "по" (by, along) and the dative case of the noun phrase "часовая стрелка" (clock hand). The components do not change based on context, number, or case in this specific usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• по направлению часовой стрелки (more verbose, less common)

Antonyms:

• против часовой стрелки (counterclockwise)

Note: The synonym "по направлению часовой стрелки" is rarely used in everyday speech and sounds more formal or technical.

Related Phrases:

• вращаться по часовой стрелке - to rotate clockwise
• двигаться по часовой стрелке - to move clockwise
• против часовой стрелки - counterclockwise (opposite direction)

Usage Notes:

• The phrase по часовой стрелке is the standard and most natural way to express "clockwise" in Russian. It is used in both formal and informal contexts.
• It is often paired with verbs like "вращать" (to rotate), "повернуть" (to turn), or "двигаться" (to move) to describe directional actions.
• Unlike English, where "clockwise" can sometimes be implied without explicit mention, Russian typically requires the full phrase for clarity.

Common Errors:

• Error: Translating "clockwise" literally as "часовой" or "по часам" without the full phrase. This results in incorrect or nonsensical Russian.

  Incorrect: Поверните часовой.

  Correct: Поверните по часовой стрелке.

  Explanation: "Часовой" alone means "hourly" or "guard," and "по часам" means "by the clock" (as in time). The full phrase is necessary for the directional meaning.

• Error: Omitting the preposition "по" or misusing the case of "стрелка."

  Incorrect: Поверните часовой стрелки.

  Correct: Поверните по часовой стрелке.

  Explanation: The dative case "стрелке" after "по" is grammatically required in this construction.

Cultural Notes:

The concept of "clockwise" in Russian does not carry significant cultural connotations beyond its literal meaning. However, in technical or mechanical contexts (e.g., engineering, machinery), understanding directional terms like по часовой стрелке is crucial, as instructions are often precise and culturally expected to be followed exactly as stated.

Related Concepts:

• против часовой стрелки (counterclockwise)
• вращение (rotation)
• направление (direction)