Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'crank'

English Word: crank

Key Russian Translations:

• шатун [ʃɐˈtun] - [Formal, used in mechanical or technical contexts]
• чокнутый [t͡ɕɐkˈnutɨj] - [Informal, slang for a person]
• кривошип [krʲɪvɐˈʂɨp] - [Formal, alternative for mechanical device]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in technical discussions or informal speech, but not everyday vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires basic understanding of Russian grammar and vocabulary; for 'шатун', it's straightforward for technical learners, while 'чокнутый' may vary by context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

шатун: [ʃɐˈtun]

чокнутый: [t͡ɕɐkˈnutɨj]

кривошип: [krʲɪvɐˈʂɨp]

Note on шатун: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the 'ш' sound, which is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, similar to 'sh' in English 'shoe'.

Note on чокнутый: The 'ч' is a voiceless palatal fricative; this word has a soft ending, common in adjectives, and can vary slightly in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A mechanical device for transmitting rotary motion (e.g., in engines)

Translation(s) & Context:

• шатун - Used in technical or engineering contexts, such as automotive or machinery descriptions.
• кривошип - Similar context, often interchangeable but more specific to crankshafts.

Usage Examples:

• В двигателе автомобиля установлен шатун для преобразования движения.

  In the car's engine, a crank is installed to convert motion.

• Механик заменил кривошип в старом моторе.

  The mechanic replaced the crank in the old engine.

• Шатун соединяет поршень с коленчатым валом в системе.

  The crank connects the piston to the crankshaft in the system.

• Без правильного шатуна механизм не будет работать эффективно.

  Without a proper crank, the mechanism won't function efficiently.

• Инженеры тестируют кривошип на прочность и износ.

  Engineers are testing the crank for durability and wear.

Meaning 2: An eccentric or quirky person (informal, derogatory)

Translation(s) & Context:

• чокнутый - Used in casual, everyday conversations to describe someone odd or obsessive, often with a negative connotation.

Usage Examples:

• Этот чокнутый сосед всегда строит странные устройства в гараже.

  That cranky neighbor is always building weird devices in the garage.

• Не слушай его, он просто чокнутый и болтает nonsense.

  Don't listen to him; he's just a crank and talks nonsense.

• В фильме главный герой — чокнутый изобретатель с безумными идеями.

  In the movie, the main character is a crank inventor with crazy ideas.

• Она считает его чокнутым из-за его необычных хобби.

  She thinks he's a crank because of his unusual hobbies.

• Чокнутый профессор всегда удивляет студентов своими теориями.

  The crank professor always surprises students with his theories.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'шатун' (a masculine noun, inanimate):

It follows the standard second declension pattern for Russian nouns. Below is a table of its inflections:

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	шатун	шатуны
Genitive	шатуна	шатунов
Dative	шатуну	шатунам
Accusative	шатун	шатуны
Instrumental	шатуном	шатунами
Prepositional	шатуне	шатунах

For 'чокнутый' (an adjective):

It declines like most short-form adjectives and can change based on gender, number, and case. Example: Masculine singular - чокнутый; Feminine singular - чокнутая; Plural - чокнутые. It is irregular in informal use and often remains invariant in slang.

For 'кривошип' (another masculine noun): Similar to 'шатун', it follows second declension with standard inflections (e.g., Genitive: кривошипа).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• кривошип (for mechanical meaning; more precise in engineering)
• рычаг (general lever; slight difference in implying a broader mechanism)

Antonyms:

• Нормальный (for 'чокнутый' meaning; implies 'normal' or 'sane')

Related Phrases:

• Шатунный механизм - A mechanism involving a crank; used in technical descriptions of engines.
• Чокнутый тип - A crazy guy; informal phrase for describing an eccentric person in daily conversation.
• Кривошипный вал - Crankshaft; a specific engineering term related to rotary motion systems.

Usage Notes:

'Crank' translates variably in Russian depending on context: 'шатун' or 'кривошип' for mechanical uses, which are formal and precise, while 'чокнутый' is informal and slangy, best for casual speech. In formal writing, avoid 'чокнутый' due to its derogatory tone. Grammatically, nouns like 'шатун' require case agreement, so pay attention to sentence structure (e.g., use genitive for possession). When choosing between translations, opt for 'шатун' in technical scenarios and 'чокнутый' in interpersonal descriptions. English learners should note that Russian often uses compounds or phrases for precision, unlike the single-word 'crank'.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'шатун' interchangeably with 'рычаг' without context, leading to imprecision. Correct: 'Шатун' specifically refers to a connecting rod, while 'рычаг' is a general lever. Example of error: "Это рычаг в двигателе" (when it should be 'шатун'). Explanation: This confuses mechanical terms, potentially causing misunderstandings in technical fields.

• Error: Overusing 'чокнутый' in formal contexts. Correct: Reserve it for informal settings; use 'эксцентричный' in professional or written Russian. Example of error: "Он чокнутый инженер" in a business report. Explanation: This sounds unprofessional; opt for neutral terms to maintain appropriate tone.

Cultural Notes:

The term 'чокнутый' reflects a cultural stereotype in Russian humor and media, often portraying eccentric inventors or outsiders as quirky but harmless, similar to characters in Soviet-era films. It can carry a light-hearted connotation in casual Russian discourse but may imply social judgment, highlighting Russia's appreciation for ingenuity mixed with skepticism toward nonconformity.

Related Concepts:

• Двигатель (engine)
• Механизм (mechanism)
• Эксцентричный (eccentric)