Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'cuff'

English Word: cuff

Key Russian Translations:

• манжета [mɐnˈʐetə] - [Formal, used for clothing or medical contexts]
• наручники [nɐˈrutɕnʲikʲi] - [Formal, often in legal or security contexts]
• удар [uˈdar] - [Informal, used for a quick hit or slap, plural forms possible]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday language, especially in contexts like fashion, law enforcement, or casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; basic forms are straightforward for learners, but inflections may require practice. For 'наручники', it might be B2 due to its specialized usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

манжета: [mɐnˈʐetə]

наручники: [nɐˈrutɕnʲikʲi]

удар: [uˈdar]

Note on манжета: The 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the 's' in 'measure'.

Note on наручники: Stress on the second syllable; the plural form is common, and pronunciation may soften in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The end of a sleeve or a folded edge (e.g., in clothing)

Translation(s) & Context:

• манжета - Used in formal or everyday contexts for clothing items, such as shirts or jackets.

Usage Examples:

• Его рубашка имела красивую манжету с вышивкой.

  His shirt had a beautiful cuff with embroidery.

• Манжета на моей куртке оторвалась во время работы.

  The cuff on my jacket tore during work.

• В модных журналах часто обсуждают дизайн манжет на платьях.

  Fashion magazines often discuss the design of cuffs on dresses.

• Доктор проверил давление с помощью манжеты.

  The doctor checked the blood pressure using a cuff.

Meaning 2: Handcuffs or restraints (e.g., in law enforcement)

Translation(s) & Context:

• наручники - Used in formal, legal, or dramatic contexts, often implying restraint or arrest.

Usage Examples:

• Полиция надела наручники на подозреваемого.

  The police put handcuffs on the suspect.

• В фильме герой сбегает из наручников хитрым трюком.

  In the movie, the hero escapes from the cuffs with a clever trick.

• Наручники в музее демонстрируют историю полиции.

  The handcuffs in the museum showcase police history.

• Он носил наручники как часть костюма на карнавале.

  He wore handcuffs as part of his costume at the carnival.

Meaning 3: A quick hit or slap (e.g., informal action)

Translation(s) & Context:

• удар - Used in informal or colloquial contexts for a light physical action, often playfully or angrily.

Usage Examples:

• Она дала ему лёгкий удар по руке за шутку.

  She gave him a light cuff on the hand for the joke.

• Дети иногда обмениваются ударами во время игр.

  Kids sometimes exchange cuffs during games.

• Удар по плечу был знаком приветствия среди друзей.

  The cuff on the shoulder was a sign of greeting among friends.

• В гневе он не удержался от удара.

  In anger, he couldn't hold back from a cuff.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'манжета' (feminine noun):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	манжета	манжеты
Genitive	манжеты	манжет
Dative	манжете	манжетам
Accusative	манжету	манжеты
Instrumental	манжетой	манжетами
Prepositional	манжете	манжетах

For 'наручники' (plural-only noun): This word is typically used in plural form and does not have a singular; it remains invariant in most cases but follows standard plural declension.

For 'удар' (masculine noun): Follows standard first-declension patterns, with irregularities in some cases like genitive plural (ударов).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • манжета: обшлаг (obshlag) - More specific to clothing edges.
  • наручники: кандалы (kandaly) - Used for heavier restraints, often historical.
  • удар: шлепок (shlepok) - A lighter, playful hit; хлопок (khлопok) for a quick tap.
• Antonyms:
  • For удар: ласка (laska) - Meaning caress or gentle touch.

Related Phrases:

• Подвернуть манжету - To roll up the cuff; used in casual clothing adjustments.
• Надеть наручники - To put on handcuffs; common in legal or action contexts.
• Легкий удар по плечу - A light cuff on the shoulder; implies friendly gesture.

Usage Notes:

'Манжета' directly corresponds to the clothing-related meaning of 'cuff' and is preferred in formal Russian, such as in fashion or medical descriptions. For 'наручники', it's a precise match for restraints and should be used in official contexts to avoid misunderstandings. 'Удар' is more versatile but informal; English learners should note that Russian often requires specifying the object (e.g., 'удар по руке'). When choosing between translations, consider the context: opt for 'манжета' in everyday items and 'наручники' in security scenarios. Grammar-wise, nouns like these follow standard Russian declension, so pay attention to case endings in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'манжета' with 'манжетка' (a diminutive form not commonly used); correct usage: Stick to 'манжета' for standard cuffs. Error example: "манжетка на рубашке" (incorrectly implying a small or cute cuff); Correct: "манжета на рубашке".
• Using 'удар' without specifying the target, which can make sentences vague; Error: "Он дал удар" (ambiguous); Correct: "Он дал удар по лицу" to specify "he gave a cuff to the face".
• Misdeclining 'наручники' in genitive; Error: "наручникa" (wrong form); Correct: "наручников" for plural genitive.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'наручники' often evokes images from literature or films about the Soviet era, symbolizing oppression or resistance, as seen in works by authors like Solzhenitsyn. 'Манжета' in fashion reflects Russia's appreciation for tailored clothing, influenced by European styles, highlighting social status in historical contexts.

Related Concepts:

• рукав (rukaʋ) - Sleeve
• ограничители (oɡrɐnit͡ɕitʲeli) - Restraints
• шлепок (ʂlʲepok) - Slap