Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'crevice'

English Word: crevice

Key Russian Translations:

• трещина [ˈtrʲeʂːɪnə] - [Formal, used in scientific or descriptive contexts]
• щель [ɕːelʲ] - [Informal, Plural forms may vary; used in everyday or technical descriptions]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in geological, architectural, or descriptive texts, but not in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and basic vocabulary, with "трещина" being standard and "щель" slightly more nuanced)

Pronunciation (Russian):

трещина: [ˈtrʲeʂːɪnə]

Note on трещина: The 'щ' sound is a soft, palatalized 'sh' (like in 'freshen'), which can be challenging for English speakers; stress falls on the first syllable.

щель: [ɕːelʲ]

Note on щель: Pronounced with a soft 'sh' at the beginning; it may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A narrow crack or opening in a surface, often in natural or man-made structures.

Translation(s) & Context:

• трещина - Used in formal contexts like geology or descriptions of damage (e.g., in rocks or walls).
• щель - Applied in informal or technical settings, such as engineering, to describe smaller gaps.

Usage Examples:

• В скале образовалась глубокая трещина от землетрясения.

  A deep crevice formed in the rock due to the earthquake.

• Между досками мебели виднелась узкая щель, через которую проникал свет.

  A narrow crevice between the furniture boards allowed light to pass through.

• Геологи изучили трещины в леднике, чтобы предсказать возможные обвалы.

  Geologists examined the crevices in the glacier to predict potential collapses.

• В старом доме щели в стенах пропускали холодный воздух зимой.

  The crevices in the walls of the old house let in cold air during winter.

• Трещина в асфальте стала причиной луж после дождя.

  The crevice in the asphalt caused puddles after the rain.

Meaning 2: Figurative use, such as a hidden or secretive space (less common).

Translation(s) & Context:

• трещина - In metaphorical contexts, like in literature, to imply vulnerability or hidden issues.

Usage Examples:

• В его душе была скрытая трещина, которую никто не замечал.

  There was a hidden crevice in his soul that no one noticed.

• Щель в броне врага позволила стрелку нанести точный удар.

  The crevice in the enemy's armor allowed the archer to land a precise shot.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"трещина" is a feminine noun (3rd declension), and it follows regular patterns of Russian noun inflection. "щель" is also feminine but can be less predictable in plural forms.

Note: These forms are regular, but "щель" may vary in poetic or dialectical use and is invariant in some fixed phrases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • расселина (a larger split, often in rocks)
  • трещинка (a diminutive, smaller crevice)
• Antonyms:
  • сплошность (solidity, implying no gaps)
  • целостность (integrity, used metaphorically)

Note: "расселина" is more specific to geological contexts and may imply a deeper crevice than "трещина".

Related Phrases:

• трещина в скале - A crack in the rock; used in descriptions of natural formations.
• щель для вентиляции - A ventilation gap; common in engineering or architecture.
• скрытая трещина - Hidden crevice; often metaphorical in literature or psychology.

Usage Notes:

• Choose "трещина" for formal or scientific contexts, as it directly corresponds to the English "crevice" in most cases, while "щель" is better for smaller, man-made openings.
• Be mindful of gender and case in Russian sentences; for example, "в трещине" (in the crevice) requires the prepositional case.
• In figurative uses, "трещина" can imply emotional or structural weaknesses, similar to English idioms like "a crack in the foundation."
• Avoid overusing in casual speech; it's more common in written or technical Russian.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "трещина" with "треск" (which means a cracking sound, not a physical gap). Correct: Use "трещина" for the noun form of a crevice. Example: Incorrect - "Я слышал треск в стене" (if meaning a physical gap); Correct - "Я увидел трещину в стене" (I saw a crevice in the wall). Explanation: "Треск" refers to noise, not the visual or physical feature.
• Error: Forgetting declensions, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Correct: In "Я заглянул в трещину" (I looked into the crevice), use genitive "трещину" for accusative context.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature, such as in works by Tolstoy or Chekhov, "трещина" is often used metaphorically to symbolize societal or personal flaws, reflecting Russia's historical emphasis on introspection and the harshness of its natural environment (e.g., crevices in frozen landscapes during winter).

Related Concepts:

• расселина (fissure)
• обвал (landslide)
• излом (break or fracture)