Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cooker'

English Word: Cooker

Key Russian Translations:

• плита [ˈplʲitə] - [Common, General Use]
• кухонная плита [kʊˈxonːəjə ˈplʲitə] - [Formal, Specific]
• печка [ˈpʲet͡ɕkə] - [Informal, Often Rural or Traditional Context]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in household contexts)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "плита"; B1 for "кухонная плита" and "печка" due to contextual nuances)

Pronunciation (Russian):

плита: [ˈplʲitə]

Note on плита: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "и" is pronounced as a soft "ee" sound due to palatalization.

кухонная плита: [kʊˈxonːəjə ˈplʲitə]

Note on кухонная плита: Stress on the second syllable of "кухонная" and first syllable of "плита".

печка: [ˈpʲet͡ɕkə]

Note on печка: Stress on the first syllable. The "ч" is a soft "ch" sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A device for cooking food (stove or range)

Translation(s) & Context:

• плита - General term for a stove or cooker, widely used in everyday speech.
• кухонная плита - More specific and formal, often used in technical or detailed descriptions (e.g., appliance manuals).

Usage Examples:

• Я готовлю суп на плите.

  I’m cooking soup on the stove.

• Новая кухонная плита очень удобная.

  The new kitchen stove is very convenient.

• На плите стоит чайник.

  There’s a kettle on the stove.

2. A traditional or old-fashioned stove (often for heating as well as cooking)

Translation(s) & Context:

• печка - Refers to a traditional stove, often associated with rural homes or older settings; may imply heating functionality.

Usage Examples:

• В деревне у бабушки была старая печка.

  In the village, my grandmother had an old stove.

• Мы готовили еду на печке.

  We cooked food on the stove.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

плита (feminine noun): Follows the first declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -а.

кухонная плита: Compound noun; "кухонная" (adjective) agrees with "плита" in case, number, and gender. Declines as above for "плита".

печка (feminine noun): Follows a similar declension pattern to "плита".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "плита":

• кухонная плита
• печь (in broader contexts, can mean "oven" or "furnace")

Note: "печь" often implies a larger or more industrial appliance compared to "плита".

Antonyms: None directly applicable for "cooker".

Related Phrases:

• включить плиту - Turn on the stove.
• выключить плиту - Turn off the stove.
• готовить на плите - Cook on the stove.
• растопить печку - Light/heat up the stove (traditional context).

Usage Notes:

• "плита" is the most common and neutral term for a modern stove or cooker in Russian. Use it in most everyday contexts.
• "кухонная плита" is more formal and specific, often used in written descriptions or when distinguishing from other types of "плита" (e.g., a slab or plate in other contexts).
• "печка" carries a traditional or nostalgic connotation and is often associated with older, wood-burning stoves in rural areas.
• Be mindful of the context when choosing between these terms, as they are not always interchangeable.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "печка" to refer to a modern electric or gas stove.
  Incorrect: У меня новая печка на кухне. (I have a new stove in the kitchen.)
  Correct: У меня новая плита на кухне.
  Explanation: "печка" implies a traditional stove, not a modern appliance.
• Error: Overusing "кухонная плита" in casual conversation.
  Incorrect: Я готовлю на кухонной плите. (I’m cooking on the kitchen stove.)
  Correct: Я готовлю на плите.
  Explanation: "кухонная плита" sounds overly formal in spoken language.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the word "печка" evokes images of traditional village life, often associated with warmth, family, and folklore (e.g., the stove in Russian fairy tales where characters like Baba Yaga or Emelya interact with it). Understanding this cultural connotation can help learners grasp why "печка" is not used for modern appliances.

Related Concepts:

• духовка (oven)
• конфорка (burner/hob)
• кухня (kitchen)