Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'coil'

English Word: coil

Key Russian Translations:

• спираль [spʲɪˈralʲ] - [Formal, Often used for physical spirals or coils]
• виток [vʲɪˈtok] - [Neutral, Often used for a single loop or turn in a coil]
• катушка [kɐˈtuʂkə] - [Neutral, Often used for technical contexts like wire coils]

Frequency: Medium (used in specific contexts like technical or descriptive language)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; varies slightly by translation and context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

спираль: [spʲɪˈralʲ]

Note on спираль: Stress on the second syllable; the soft 'л' sound is typical in Russian.

виток: [vʲɪˈtok]

Note on виток: Stress on the second syllable; short and crisp 'о' sound.

катушка: [kɐˈtuʂkə]

Note on катушка: Stress on the second syllable; the 'ш' sound is a retroflex fricative.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Physical Spiral or Coil (e.g., spring, rope)

Translation(s) & Context:

• спираль - Used for spiral shapes, like a spring or DNA helix.
• виток - Refers to a single turn or loop in a spiral or coil.

Usage Examples:

• Пружина состоит из множества спиралей.

  The spring consists of many spirals.

• Каждый виток веревки был аккуратно уложен.

  Each coil of the rope was neatly arranged.

• Спираль лестницы вела на верхний этаж.

  The spiral of the staircase led to the upper floor.

2. Technical Coil (e.g., electrical wire coil)

Translation(s) & Context:

• катушка - Primarily used for wire coils or reels in technical contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Катушка провода лежала на столе.

  The coil of wire was lying on the table.

• Электромагнитная катушка создает поле.

  The electromagnetic coil creates a field.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

спираль (feminine noun):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	спираль	спирали
Genitive	спирали	спиралей
Dative	спирали	спиралям
Accusative	спираль	спирали
Instrumental	спиралью	спиралями
Prepositional	спирали	спиралях

виток (masculine noun): Follows standard second declension rules for masculine nouns.

катушка (feminine noun): Follows standard first declension rules for feminine nouns ending in -а.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for спираль:

• завиток (curl, twist - often for smaller or decorative spirals)
• винт (screw, helix - often mechanical)

Synonyms for катушка:

• бобина (bobbin, spool - often for larger reels)

Antonyms: None directly applicable as "coil" lacks a clear opposite in most contexts.

Related Phrases:

• спиральная лестница - spiral staircase (a staircase in a spiral shape)
• катушка индуктивности - induction coil (used in electrical engineering)
• виток за витком - turn by turn (used metaphorically or literally for gradual progress)

Usage Notes:

• The choice between "спираль", "виток", and "катушка" depends on the context. Use "спираль" for general spirals or abstract concepts, "виток" for individual loops or turns, and "катушка" for technical or practical coils like wire or thread.
• Be aware of the grammatical gender of each noun when using adjectives or verbs with these words ("спираль" and "катушка" are feminine, "виток" is masculine).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "катушка" for non-technical spirals.
  Incorrect: Катушка лестницы.
  Correct: Спираль лестницы (spiral staircase).
  Explanation: "Катушка" is specific to technical or practical coils, not architectural or abstract spirals.
• Error: Misusing "виток" for a complete spiral.
  Incorrect: Виток ДНК.
  Correct: Спираль ДНК (DNA helix).
  Explanation: "Виток" refers to a single turn, not the entire structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the word "спираль" often appears in literature or art to symbolize cycles, eternity, or complexity (e.g., the spiral of history). Understanding this metaphorical usage can enrich comprehension of Russian texts.

Related Concepts:

• кольцо (ring)
• петля (loop)
• завиток (curl)