Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'cord'

English Word: cord

Key Russian Translations:

• шнур [ʃnur] - [Informal, Commonly used for thin cords or strings]
• веревка [vʲɪˈrʲofkə] - [Neutral, Often used for thicker ropes or cords]
• провод [prɐˈvot] - [Technical, Used for electrical cords or wires]

Frequency: Medium (varies by context; "провод" is highly frequent in technical contexts)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "шнур" and "веревка"); B1 (Intermediate for "провод" due to technical usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

шнур: [ʃnur]

Note on шнур: The initial "ш" is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, similar to "sh" in English "shoe". Stress is on the single syllable.

веревка: [vʲɪˈrʲofkə]

Note on веревка: Stress falls on the second syllable ("рёв"). The "е" is pronounced as "ye" when unstressed.

провод: [prɐˈvot]

Note on провод: Stress on the second syllable. The "о" in the unstressed position is reduced to a schwa-like sound [ɐ].

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Thin string or lace (e.g., shoelace or decorative cord)

Translation(s) & Context:

• шнур - Often refers to a thin cord, like a shoelace or a drawstring.

Usage Examples:

• У меня порвался шнур на ботинке.

  My shoelace broke.

• Она завязала шнур на сумке.

  She tied the cord on the bag.

• Шнур был слишком коротким для занавесок.

  The cord was too short for the curtains.

2. Thicker rope or cord (e.g., for tying or binding)

Translation(s) & Context:

• веревка - Refers to a thicker cord or rope, often used for practical purposes like tying.

Usage Examples:

• Мы использовали веревку, чтобы привязать лодку.

  We used a cord to tie up the boat.

• Веревка была слишком слабой и порвалась.

  The cord was too weak and broke.

• Он повесил белье на веревку.

  He hung the laundry on a cord.

3. Electrical cord or wire

Translation(s) & Context:

• провод - Specifically used for electrical cords or wires in technical contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Провод от лампы был поврежден.

  The cord of the lamp was damaged.

• Не трогай провод, он под напряжением!

  Don’t touch the cord, it’s live!

• Удлинительный провод лежит на полу.

  The extension cord is on the floor.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

шнур (Masculine Noun):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	шнур	шнуры
Genitive	шнура	шнуров
Dative	шнуру	шнурам
Accusative	шнур	шнуры
Instrumental	шнуром	шнурами
Prepositional	шнуре	шнурах

веревка (Feminine Noun): Follows standard feminine declension patterns (similar table can be provided if needed).

провод (Masculine Noun): Follows standard masculine declension patterns (similar table can be provided if needed).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for шнур:

• тесемка (narrow ribbon or lace, often decorative)
• бечевка (thin twine, often for tying)

Synonyms for веревка:

• канат (thicker rope, often nautical)
• трос (cable or heavy rope)

Synonyms for провод:

• кабель (thicker electrical cable)

Antonyms: None directly applicable for "cord" in Russian.

Related Phrases:

• завязать шнур - To tie a cord (e.g., on shoes or a bag).
• натянуть веревку - To stretch a cord/rope (e.g., for drying clothes).
• удлинительный провод - Extension cord (common in electrical contexts).

Usage Notes:

• The choice between "шнур", "веревка", and "провод" depends heavily on context. "шнур" is best for thin cords like shoelaces, "веревка" for thicker ropes, and "провод" strictly for electrical wires or cords.
• Be cautious with "провод" as it implies a technical or electrical context; using it for a non-electrical cord would sound unnatural.
• Russian nouns decline based on case and number, so ensure proper grammatical agreement with surrounding words (e.g., adjectives, verbs).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "провод" for a shoelace. Incorrect: "У меня порвался провод на ботинке." Correct: "У меня порвался шнур на ботинке." (Explanation: "провод" is only for electrical cords.)
• Error: Using "шнур" for a thick rope in a nautical context. Incorrect: "Привяжите лодку шнуром." Correct: "Привяжите лодку веревкой." (Explanation: "шнур" is too thin for such purposes.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "веревка" might evoke practical or rural imagery, often associated with traditional tasks like drying laundry or tying livestock. "провод" is tied to modern contexts like technology and electricity, reflecting Russia's rapid industrialization in the 20th century.

Related Concepts:

• канат (thicker rope)
• трос (cable or heavy rope)
• кабель (electrical cable)