Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Crossbow'

English Word: Crossbow

Key Russian Translations:

• Арбалет [ˌarbaˈlʲet] - [Formal, Common]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Арбалет: [ˌarbaˈlʲet]

Note on Арбалет: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "р" is rolled, and the "е" sounds like "ye" in "yes."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A medieval weapon consisting of a bow mounted on a stock

Translation(s) & Context:

• Арбалет - Refers to the historical weapon used in warfare or hunting, often in formal or historical contexts.

Usage Examples:

• В средние века арбалет был мощным оружием на поле боя.

  In the Middle Ages, the crossbow was a powerful weapon on the battlefield.

• Он купил арбалет для реконструкции исторических сражений.

  He bought a crossbow for historical battle reenactments.

• Арбалет требует больше времени для перезарядки, чем лук.

  A crossbow takes longer to reload than a bow.

• Музей выставил старинный арбалет 14-го века.

  The museum displayed an ancient crossbow from the 14th century.

• Охотники иногда используют арбалет вместо ружья.

  Hunters sometimes use a crossbow instead of a rifle.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Арбалет is a masculine noun. It follows the standard declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• Нет точных синонимов (No exact synonyms, as "арбалет" is a specific term)

Antonyms:

• Лук (Bow - referring to the traditional bow as opposed to a crossbow)

Note: "Лук" refers to a different type of weapon, often contrasted with "арбалет" in historical contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Стрелять из арбалета - To shoot with a crossbow.
• Перезарядить арбалет - To reload a crossbow.
• Арбалетный болт - Crossbow bolt (the projectile used with a crossbow).

Usage Notes:

• The Russian word "арбалет" directly corresponds to the English "crossbow" and is used in both historical and modern contexts, such as reenactments or hunting.
• It is a formal and neutral term with no significant informal variants. It is mostly encountered in written texts or specialized discussions (e.g., history, weaponry).
• Be mindful of grammatical gender: "арбалет" is masculine, which affects adjective agreement and pronoun usage.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "арбалет" (crossbow) with "лук" (bow).
  Incorrect: Я стрелял из лука, но это был арбалет. (I shot with a bow, but it was a crossbow - inconsistent usage).
  Correct: Я стрелял из арбалета. (I shot with a crossbow).
• Error: Incorrect case usage due to unfamiliarity with declension.
  Incorrect: Я купил арбалетом. (I bought with a crossbow - wrong case).
  Correct: Я купил арбалет. (I bought a crossbow - accusative case).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the "арбалет" is often associated with medieval European warfare rather than Russian history, as traditional Russian warriors relied more on bows ("лук"). It frequently appears in historical fiction, films, or discussions of Western military history. Modern usage might relate to hunting or sports, though it is less common than in some Western countries.

Related Concepts:

• Лук (Bow)
• Стрела (Arrow)
• Болт (Bolt - crossbow projectile)
• Оружие (Weapon)