Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Clutch'

English Word: clutch

Key Russian Translations:

• сцепление [st͡sɛˈplʲenʲɪjə] - [Technical, Automotive]
• хватать [xvɐˈtatʲ] - [Informal, Verb for grabbing]
• схватить [sxrɐˈtʲitʲ] - [Informal, Verb for seizing, Perfective]
• муфта [ˈmuftə] - [Technical, Mechanical]

Frequency: Medium (varies by context; "сцепление" is common in technical contexts, while "хватать" is frequent in everyday speech)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; "сцепление" and "муфта" may require technical knowledge, while "хватать" and "схватить" are more accessible but require aspect understanding)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сцепление: [st͡sɛˈplʲenʲɪjə]

Note on сцепление: Stress falls on the second syllable. The initial "сц" cluster can be tricky for non-native speakers; pronounce it as a single fluid sound.

хватать: [xvɐˈtatʲ]

Note on хватать: Stress on the second syllable. The "хв" sound requires a guttural "kh" followed by "v."

схватить: [sxrɐˈtʲitʲ]

муфта: [ˈmuftə]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Mechanical/Automotive Context (e.g., car clutch)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сцепление - Used specifically for the clutch mechanism in vehicles.
• муфта - Refers to a coupling or clutch in broader mechanical contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Нажмите на сцепление, чтобы переключить передачу.

  Press the clutch to change gears.

• Сцепление начало проскальзывать после долгой поездки.

  The clutch started slipping after a long drive.

• Эта муфта соединяет два вала.

  This clutch connects two shafts.

2. To Grasp or Seize (e.g., clutch something tightly)

Translation(s) & Context:

• хватать - Imperfective verb, used for repeated or ongoing action of grabbing.
• схватить - Perfective verb, used for a single, completed action of seizing.

Usage Examples:

• Он хватал всё, что попадалось под руку.

  He was clutching at everything that came to hand.

• Она схватила сумку и выбежала из дома.

  She clutched her bag and ran out of the house.

• Ребёнок хватал игрушки одну за другой.

  The child was clutching toys one after another.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

сцепление (noun, neuter):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	сцепление	сцепления
Genitive	сцепления	сцеплений
Dative	сцеплению	сцеплениям
Accusative	сцепление	сцепления
Instrumental	сцеплением	сцеплениями
Prepositional	о сцеплении	о сцеплениях

хватать/схватить (verbs): These are aspectual pairs. "Хватать" (imperfective) and "схватить" (perfective) follow regular conjugation patterns for first-conjugation verbs. Key forms include past tense ("хватал/схватил") and imperative ("хватай/схвати").

муфта (noun, feminine): Regular declension for feminine nouns ending in -а.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for сцепление (automotive):

• соединение
• механизм сцепления

Note: "Соединение" is broader and can mean "connection" in non-automotive contexts.

Synonyms for хватать/схватить (to grasp):

• брать
• захватывать

Antonyms for хватать/схватить:

• отпускать
• выпускать

Related Phrases:

• нажать на сцепление - "press the clutch" (automotive context)
• схватить за руку - "clutch someone by the hand" (to grab suddenly)
• хватать воздух - "clutch at air" (idiomatic, to gasp or struggle)

Usage Notes:

• The choice between "хватать" (imperfective) and "схватить" (perfective) depends on whether the action is ongoing or completed. Use "хватать" for repeated actions and "схватить" for a one-time act.
• "Сцепление" is highly specific to automotive or technical contexts; avoid using it metaphorically.
• Be cautious with "муфта" as it can refer to other mechanical couplings beyond clutches.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "хватать" when a perfective action is intended. Example: *Я хватал сумку и ушёл* (incorrect) vs. Я схватил сумку и ушёл (correct: "I clutched the bag and left").
• Error: Confusing "сцепление" with general terms for "connection." Example: *Сцепление идей* (incorrect) vs. Связь идей (correct: "connection of ideas").

Cultural Notes:

In Russian automotive culture, "сцепление" is a frequently discussed term among drivers due to the prevalence of manual transmission cars in older models. Knowing this term can be particularly useful when traveling or discussing vehicles in Russia.

Related Concepts:

• передача (gear)
• тормоз (brake)
• двигатель (engine)