Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'creak'

English Word: creak

Key Russian Translations:

• скрипеть [ˈskrʲipʲetʲ] - [Informal, Verb, Used for sounds of creaking doors or floors]
• скрип [ˈskrʲip] - [Noun, Refers to the sound of a creak]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

скрипеть: [ˈskrʲipʲetʲ]

Note on скрипеть: The stress is on the first syllable. The soft 'р' sound can be challenging for non-native speakers.

скрип: [ˈskrʲip]

Note on скрип: A short, sharp pronunciation with stress on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To make a sharp, high-pitched sound (as of a door or floorboard)

Translation(s) & Context:

• скрипеть - Used as a verb to describe the action of something making a creaking sound, often associated with old or worn-out objects.

Usage Examples:

• Дверь скрипит каждый раз, когда её открывают.

  The door creaks every time it is opened.

• Половицы скрипят под ногами.

  The floorboards creak underfoot.

• Старый стул скрипит, когда на него садишься.

  The old chair creaks when you sit on it.

2. The sound itself of creaking

Translation(s) & Context:

• скрип - Used as a noun to refer directly to the sound of a creak.

Usage Examples:

• Я услышал скрип двери в темноте.

  I heard the creak of the door in the dark.

• Сквозь тишину раздался громкий скрип.

  A loud creak broke through the silence.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

скрипеть (Verb, Imperfective): This verb follows regular conjugation patterns for verbs ending in -еть. Below is the present tense conjugation:

скрип (Noun, Masculine, Inanimate): This noun declines according to the second declension pattern for masculine nouns. Below are the main cases:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for скрипеть (Verb):

• хрустеть (to crunch, used for similar sharp sounds)
• визжать (to squeal, for higher-pitched sounds)

Note: хрустеть often implies a crunching sound, while визжать is more intense and high-pitched.

Antonyms for скрипеть (Verb):

• молчать (to be silent)

Related Phrases:

• скрипеть зубами - Literally "to creak teeth," meaning to grind one's teeth in anger or frustration.
• скрип двери - "The creak of a door," a common expression in descriptive contexts.

Usage Notes:

• While "скрипеть" is a verb describing the action of creaking, "скрип" is a noun referring to the sound itself. Choose based on whether you're describing the action or the sound.
• "скрипеть" is typically used in informal or neutral contexts, often for physical objects like doors or floors. It is rarely used metaphorically.
• Ensure proper conjugation of "скрипеть" based on the subject and tense to avoid grammatical errors.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "скрипеть" (verb) with "скрип" (noun). Example of incorrect usage: *Я слышал скрипеть двери* (I heard the door to creak). Correct: Я слышал скрип двери (I heard the creak of the door).
• Error: Misconjugating "скрипеть" by using incorrect endings. Example of incorrect usage: *Дверь скрипешь* (wrong ending for 3rd person). Correct: Дверь скрипит.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature and folklore, the sound of a creak (скрип) often symbolizes eeriness or suspense, as in old houses or haunted settings. It is frequently used in storytelling to build atmosphere.

Related Concepts:

• хруст (crunch)
• шум (noise)
• звук (sound)