Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'collapsible'

English Word: collapsible

Key Russian Translations:

• свёртываемый [svʲɪrˈtɨvaemyj] - [Adjective, Formal]
• складной [sklɐdˈnoj] - [Adjective, Informal, Often used for physical objects]

Frequency: Medium (Common in technical, everyday, and descriptive contexts, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of adjectives and basic inflections, varying slightly by translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

свёртываемый: [svʲɪrˈtɨvaemyj]

Note on свёртываемый: The stress is on the fourth syllable; pay attention to the soft 'й' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

Audio: []

складной: [sklɐdˈnoj]

Note on складной: The stress is on the second syllable; the 'о' is pronounced as a short 'o' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Capable of being folded or collapsed for storage or transport

Translation(s) & Context:

• свёртываемый - Used in technical or formal descriptions, such as in engineering or product manuals.
• складной - More common in everyday contexts, like describing furniture or gadgets.

Usage Examples:

• Эта мебель свёртываемая, что делает её идеальной для маленьких квартир.

  This furniture is collapsible, making it ideal for small apartments.

• Купите складной велосипед, чтобы легко перевозить его в общественном транспорте.

  Buy a collapsible bike to easily transport it on public transit.

• В tents are often designed as свёртываемые structures for camping trips.

  Палатки часто проектируются как свёртываемые конструкции для туристических поездок.

• Складной стол можно быстро разобрать и убрать в шкаф.

  The collapsible table can be quickly disassembled and stored in the closet.

• Инженеры разрабатывают свёртываемые материалы для космических миссий.

  Engineers are developing collapsible materials for space missions.

Meaning 2: Able to be reduced in size or complexity

Translation(s) & Context:

• свёртываемый - Applied in abstract or metaphorical contexts, such as in computing or data management.

Usage Examples:

• В программах интерфейс может быть свёртываемым для экономии экрана.

  In programs, the interface can be collapsible to save screen space.

• Складной алгоритм позволяет упростить сложные вычисления.

  A collapsible algorithm allows for simplifying complex calculations.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "свёртываемый" and "складной" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern of agreement with the nouns they modify. "Складной" is a regular adjective, while "свёртываемый" can vary slightly due to its derived form.

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular forms, but always agree with the noun in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • свёртывающийся (more dynamic connotation, implying action)
  • компактный (emphasizing space-saving, but less about folding)
• Antonyms:
  • неразборный (non-collapsible, rigid)
  • постоянный (permanent, unchangeable in form)

Related Phrases:

• Складной нож - A folding knife (Common tool for everyday carry).
• Свёртываемый контейнер - A collapsible container (Used in storage solutions).
• Складная кровать - A foldable bed (Practical for guest rooms).

Usage Notes:

"Свёртываемый" is a more precise translation for "collapsible" in formal or technical contexts, such as engineering or software, where the emphasis is on the ability to fold or reduce. "Складной" is better for everyday objects and informal speech. English speakers should note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they describe, which is a key grammatical difference. When choosing between translations, opt for "свёртываемый" in written or professional settings and "складной" in casual conversation. Avoid direct word-for-word translation; instead, consider the context to ensure natural usage.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "свёртываемый" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "свёртываемый стол" when the noun requires genitive case.
  Correct: "свёртываемого стола" (of the collapsible table).
  Explanation: Russian requires adjective-noun agreement; ignoring case leads to grammatical errors that sound unnatural to native speakers.

• Error: Confusing "складной" with "свёртываемый" in technical contexts, e.g., using "складной алгоритм" for a software feature.
  Correct: "свёртываемый алгоритм".
  Explanation: "Складной" implies physical folding, while "свёртываемый" is better for abstract or digital applications; misuse can alter the intended meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "складной" are often associated with practicality and resourcefulness, reflecting the historical emphasis on efficient use of space in urban living. For instance, in Soviet-era design, collapsible furniture was popular due to limited housing space, symbolizing adaptability in everyday life.

Related Concepts:

• компактный
• разборный
• модульный