Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cobweb'

English Word: Cobweb

Key Russian Translations:

• паутина [pɐʊˈtʲinə] - [Neutral, General Usage]
• паучья сеть [pɐˈʊtɕjə sʲetʲ] - [Descriptive, Often Poetic or Specific]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

паутина: [pɐʊˈtʲinə]

Note on паутина: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'у' sounds like the 'oo' in 'food' but shorter.

паучья сеть: [pɐˈʊtɕjə sʲetʲ]

Note on паучья сеть: Stress on the second syllable of 'паучья' and first syllable of 'сеть'. The 'ч' is a soft 'ch' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Literal Meaning (Spider's Web)

Translation(s) & Context:

• паутина - Commonly used to refer to a spider's web in everyday contexts.
• паучья сеть - More descriptive, often used in storytelling or scientific contexts to emphasize the spider's creation.

Usage Examples:

• На чердаке висит старая паутина.

  An old cobweb hangs in the attic.

• Паучья сеть блестела на солнце после дождя.

  The spider's web glistened in the sun after the rain.

• Я смахнул паутину с угла комнаты.

  I brushed away the cobweb from the corner of the room.

2. Figurative Meaning (Something Tangled or Complex)

Translation(s) & Context:

• паутина - Used metaphorically to describe a complex or tangled situation, like a "web of lies".

Usage Examples:

• Он запутался в паутине лжи.

  He got entangled in a web of lies.

• Эта история — настоящая паутина загадок.

  This story is a real web of mysteries.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

паутина (Noun, Feminine, Inanimate)

паучья сеть (Compound Noun Phrase, Feminine for "сеть") - The adjective "паучья" agrees with "сеть" in case, number, and gender. Declension follows the pattern of "сеть" (feminine noun).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• сеть (net, in specific contexts)

Note: "сеть" is more general and can refer to any net, not specifically a spider's web.

Antonyms:

• None directly applicable for literal meaning.

Related Phrases:

• запутаться в паутине - To get entangled in a web (literal or figurative, e.g., problems or lies).
• ткать паутину - To weave a web (often figurative, e.g., plotting or scheming).

Usage Notes:

• "Паутина" is the most common and versatile term for "cobweb," suitable for both literal and figurative uses.
• "Паучья сеть" is more specific and descriptive, often used in scientific, poetic, or detailed contexts to emphasize the spider's role.
• In everyday speech, stick to "паутина" unless you need to highlight the spider or artistic imagery.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "сеть" alone to mean "cobweb." While "сеть" means "net," it does not specifically imply a spider's web unless paired with "паучья."
  Incorrect: В углу висит сеть. (A net hangs in the corner - ambiguous or incorrect.)
  Correct: В углу висит паутина. (A cobweb hangs in the corner.)
• Error: Misplacing stress in "паутина" (e.g., stressing the first syllable). Stress must be on the second syllable [pɐʊˈtʲinə].

Cultural Notes:

In Russian folklore and literature, "паутина" often symbolizes mystery, entrapment, or hidden dangers, much like in English. It can appear in fairy tales or idioms to represent deceit or complexity.

Related Concepts:

• паук (spider)
• ловушка (trap)
• сеть (net)