Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'cross'

English Word: cross

Key Russian Translations:

• крест [krʲest] - [Noun, Masculine, Formal/Neutral]
• пересекать [pʲɪrʲɪsʲɪˈkatʲ] - [Verb, Neutral, Used for crossing a place]
• пересечь [pʲɪrʲɪˈsʲetʲ] - [Verb, Perfective, Neutral, Used for completing the action of crossing]

Frequency: Medium (for "крест"); High (for "пересекать/пересечь")

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "крест"); B1 (Intermediate for "пересекать/пересечь")

Pronunciation (Russian):

крест: [krʲest]

Note on крест: The "р" is rolled slightly, and the stress is on the first syllable.

пересекать: [pʲɪrʲɪsʲɪˈkatʲ]

Note on пересека́ть: Stress falls on the third syllable "ка".

пересечь: [pʲɪrʲɪˈsʲetʲ]

Note on пересе́чь: Stress falls on the second syllable "се".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Cross (as a noun, religious symbol or shape)

Translation(s) & Context:

• крест - Used to refer to a cross as a Christian symbol or a geometric shape.

Usage Examples:

• На церкви установлен большой крест.

  A large cross is installed on the church.

• Она носит крест на шее.

  She wears a cross around her neck.

• На карте крест обозначает место встречи.

  On the map, the cross marks the meeting point.

2. Cross (as a verb, to move from one side to another)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пересекать - Used for the ongoing action of crossing (imperfective).
• пересечь - Used for the completed action of crossing (perfective).

Usage Examples:

• Мы пересекаем улицу на светофоре.

  We are crossing the street at the traffic light.

• Он пересёк реку на лодке.

  He crossed the river by boat.

• Дорога пересекает лес.

  The road crosses the forest.

• Мы пересекли границу без проблем.

  We crossed the border without any issues.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

крест (noun, masculine, inanimate):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	крест	кресты
Genitive	креста	крестов
Dative	кресту	крестам
Accusative	крест	кресты
Instrumental	крестом	крестами
Prepositional	о кресте	о крестах

пересекать (verb, imperfective) / пересечь (verb, perfective):

These verbs follow regular conjugation patterns for their respective aspects. Below is a sample conjugation for "пересечь" (perfective):

Person	Present (N/A for perfective)	Past	Future
1st Singular	-	пересёк	пересеку
2nd Singular	-	пересёк	пересечёшь
3rd Singular	-	пересёк / пересекла	пересечёт

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

For крест (cross as noun):

• Synonyms: распятие (specifically religious crucifixion context)
• Antonyms: (No direct antonym for a physical cross)

For пересека́ть/пересе́чь (cross as verb):

• Synonyms: переходить (more colloquial for crossing a street), проезжать (for vehicles)
• Antonyms: избегать (to avoid crossing)

Related Phrases:

• нести свой крест - "to bear one's cross" (to endure personal struggles or burdens)
• пересечь черту - "to cross the line" (to overstep a boundary, often metaphorically)
• крест на чём-либо - "to put a cross on something" (to give up on something)

Usage Notes:

• "крест" is primarily used for a physical or symbolic cross, often in religious or geometric contexts. It does not carry the metaphorical sense of "burden" in isolation.
• "пересека́ть" (imperfective) is used for ongoing or habitual crossing, while "пересе́чь" (perfective) indicates a completed action. English speakers often struggle with this aspect distinction in Russian verbs.
• Be mindful of context when translating "cross" as a verb; it can refer to physical crossing (a street) or metaphorical crossing (a line or boundary).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "крест" to mean "burden" directly. Incorrect: "Это мой крест" for "This is my burden." Correct: Use "бремя" or the phrase "нести свой крест" (to bear one's cross).
• Error: Confusing "пересека́ть" and "пересе́чь." Incorrect: "Я пересека́ю границу вчера" (mixing imperfective with past completed action). Correct: "Я пересёк границу вчера" (using perfective for a completed past action).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian Orthodox culture, "крест" holds significant religious importance, often associated with personal faith and protection. Wearing a cross necklace is common among believers, and the act of making the sign of the cross ("креститься") is a frequent gesture in religious settings.

Related Concepts:

• распятие (crucifixion)
• церковь (church)
• граница (border, related to crossing)