Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'crib'

English Word: crib

Key Russian Translations:

• кроватка [ˈkrovətkə] - [Informal, Often used for baby beds]
• детская кроватка [ˈdʲetskəjə ˈkrovətkə] - [Formal, Specific to children's beds]
• шпаргалка [ʂpɐrˈɡalkə] - [Informal, Used for cheat sheets in academic contexts]

Frequency: Medium (varies by context; "шпаргалка" is more common in student slang)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "кроватка" and "детская кроватка"); B1 (Intermediate for "шпаргалка" due to slang usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кроватка: [ˈkrovətkə]

Note on кроватка: Stress falls on the first syllable; the 'o' is pronounced as a short 'o'.

детская кроватка: [ˈdʲetskəjə ˈkrovətkə]

Note on детская кроватка: Two stresses; ensure clarity in both words when speaking.

шпаргалка: [ʂpɐrˈɡalkə]

Note on шпаргалка: The 'ш' sound is a retroflex fricative, distinct from English 'sh'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A small bed for a baby or young child

Translation(s) & Context:

• кроватка - Commonly used in everyday speech for a baby's bed.
• детская кроватка - More formal or descriptive, often used in stores or official contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Я купила красивую кроватку для малыша.

  I bought a beautiful crib for the baby.

• Детская кроватка должна быть безопасной.

  A children's crib must be safe.

• Кроватка уже собрана в детской комнате.

  The crib is already assembled in the children's room.

2. A cheat sheet or notes used illicitly in exams

Translation(s) & Context:

• шпаргалка - Informal, widely used among students to refer to hidden notes or cheat sheets.

Usage Examples:

• Он спрятал шпаргалку в рукав перед экзаменом.

  He hid a crib in his sleeve before the exam.

• Учитель заметил шпаргалку на парте.

  The teacher noticed a crib on the desk.

• Шпаргалки не помогут, если ты не учишь материал.

  Cribs won't help if you don't study the material.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

кроватка (Noun, Feminine): Regular declension in all cases.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	кроватка	кроватки
Genitive	кроватки	кроваток
Dative	кроватке	кроваткам
Accusative	кроватку	кроватки
Instrumental	кроваткой	кроватками
Prepositional	кроватке	кроватках

шпаргалка (Noun, Feminine): Follows similar regular feminine declension patterns as above.

детская кроватка: Compound phrase; "детская" (adjective) agrees with "кроватка" in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for кроватка:

• люлька (cradle, often for rocking)
• колыбель (cradle, more poetic or traditional)

Synonyms for шпаргалка:

• подсказка (hint or prompt, less illicit connotation)

Antonyms: None directly applicable in common usage.

Related Phrases:

• детская кроватка с бортиками - A children's crib with sides (for safety).
• сделать шпаргалку - To make a crib/cheat sheet (for an exam).
• поймать на шпаргалке - To catch someone with a crib (cheating).

Usage Notes:

• "кроватка" is the most common and neutral term for a baby's crib in casual speech, while "детская кроватка" is more formal or descriptive, often used in product names or specifications.
• "шпаргалка" specifically refers to a cheat sheet and carries a negative or sneaky connotation; it should not be used in formal academic discussions.
• Ensure context clarity when translating "crib" into Russian, as the meanings (bed vs. cheat sheet) are unrelated and depend entirely on the situation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "шпаргалка" to mean a baby bed.
  Explanation: This is incorrect as "шпаргалка" only means a cheat sheet. Use "кроватка" instead for a crib as a bed. Example of error: *Я купил шпаргалку для ребенка* (wrong); Correct: *Я купил кроватку для ребенка*.
• Error: Mispronouncing "кроватка" with stress on the second syllable.
  Explanation: Stress is on the first syllable; incorrect stress can confuse listeners or sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "шпаргалка" carries a playful yet slightly negative connotation, often associated with student life and the ingenuity (or mischief) of cheating during exams. It is a widely recognized term among younger generations and in educational contexts.

Related Concepts:

• экзамен (exam)
• обман (deception/cheating)
• детская комната (children's room)