Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'clog'

English Word: clog

Key Russian Translations:

• засорять [zəsɐˈrʲætʲ] - [Informal, Verb, Used for blocking or obstructing]
• забивать [zəbʲɪˈvatʲ] - [Informal, Verb, Often used for pipes or drains]
• сабо [sɐˈbo] - [Neutral, Noun, Refers to the footwear 'clog']

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in specific contexts like plumbing or footwear)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for verbs 'засорять' and 'забивать'; A2 (Beginner) for noun 'сабо'

Pronunciation (Russian):

засорять: [zəsɐˈrʲætʲ]

Note on засорять: Stress falls on the second syllable; the 'я' sound is pronounced as a soft 'ya'.

забивать: [zəbʲɪˈvatʲ]

Note on забивать: Stress on the second syllable; the 'и' is a short, clear vowel.

сабо: [sɐˈbo]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To block or obstruct (as a verb)

Translation(s) & Context:

• засорять - Used for blocking something like a drain or pipe, often implying dirt or debris.
• забивать - Commonly used for physically clogging or stuffing something, e.g., a pipe or hole.

Usage Examples:

• Канализация засорилась из-за мусора.

  The sewage system got clogged because of debris.

• Не забивай трубу остатками еды.

  Don't clog the pipe with food leftovers.

• Дорога засорилась машинами после аварии.

  The road got clogged with cars after the accident.

• Он забил отверстие грязью.

  He clogged the hole with dirt.

2. Wooden shoe (as a noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сабо - Refers specifically to the traditional wooden shoe or clog, often in historical or cultural contexts.

Usage Examples:

• В музее выставлены старинные сабо.

  Old clogs are displayed in the museum.

• Она купила сабо как сувенир из Голландии.

  She bought clogs as a souvenir from Holland.

• Сабо были популярны среди крестьян.

  Clogs were popular among peasants.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

засорять (Verb, Imperfective): Regular verb with standard conjugation in the imperfective aspect.

забивать (Verb, Imperfective): Regular verb, often paired with perfective 'забить'.

сабо (Noun, Neuter): Indeclinable noun, does not change form in cases or numbers (borrowed word).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for засорять/забивать (verb):

• засорять - загрязнять (to contaminate)
• забивать - закупоривать (to cork or seal)

Antonyms for засорять/забивать (verb):

• очищать (to clean)
• прочищать (to clear)

Related Phrases:

• засорить канализацию - to clog the sewer system
• забить трубу - to clog a pipe
• носить сабо - to wear clogs

Usage Notes:

• Both 'засорять' and 'забивать' can mean 'to clog,' but 'засорять' often implies obstruction by dirt or waste, while 'забивать' suggests a more physical blocking or stuffing.
• 'сабо' is a niche term and is mostly used in historical or cultural contexts, not in everyday speech unless referring to the specific footwear.
• Verbs 'засорять' and 'забивать' are imperfective; for completed actions, use their perfective forms 'засорить' and 'забить' respectively.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'засорять' when referring to physically stuffing something.
  Incorrect: Я засорил отверстие пробкой.
  Correct: Я забил отверстие пробкой. (I clogged the hole with a cork.)
  Explanation: 'Засорять' implies dirt or debris, not a deliberate act of stuffing with an object.
• Error: Misusing aspect (imperfective vs. perfective).
  Incorrect: Я засоряю трубу вчера.
  Correct: Я засорил трубу вчера. (I clogged the pipe yesterday.)
  Explanation: Use perfective 'засорить' for completed past actions.

Cultural Notes:

The term 'сабо' (clog as footwear) is often associated with European traditions, particularly Dutch or French culture, as reflected in Russian literature or historical texts. It is rarely used in modern contexts unless discussing traditional costumes or museum exhibits.

Related Concepts:

• обувь (footwear)
• засорение (clogging, obstruction)
• канализация (sewage system)