Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'cuspidor'

English Word: cuspidor

Key Russian Translations:

• плевательница /plʲɪvəˈtʲelʲnʲɪtsə/ - [Formal, Archaic] (Used in historical or formal contexts, such as describing old public health items)

Frequency: Low (This word is archaic and rarely used in modern Russian conversation or writing)

Difficulty: C1 (Advanced) - Due to its outdated nature and specific cultural connotations, it requires familiarity with historical Russian vocabulary

Pronunciation (Russian):

плевательница: /plʲɪvəˈtʲelʲnʲɪtsə/

Note on плевательница: The pronunciation features palatalized consonants (e.g., 'л' as /lʲ/), which can be challenging for English speakers. Stress falls on the fourth syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A receptacle for spitting into, often found in historical or public settings.

Translation(s) & Context:

• плевательница - Typically used in formal, historical, or descriptive contexts, such as museums or discussions of 19th-century hygiene practices.

Usage Examples:

• В старых общественных зданиях плевательницы устанавливались для поддержания гигиены.

  In old public buildings, cuspidors were installed to maintain hygiene.

• Музей истории медицины выставляет плевательницу как артефакт из прошлого века.

  The museum of medical history displays a cuspidor as an artifact from the past century.

• В литературе XIX века плевательница часто упоминается в описаниях городских улиц.

  In 19th-century literature, the cuspidor is often mentioned in descriptions of urban streets.

• Хотя плевательница теперь устарела, она всё ещё используется в реконструкциях исторических событий.

  Although the cuspidor is now outdated, it is still used in reconstructions of historical events.

• В некоторых сельских районах плевательница сохранилась как реликвия из эпохи царской России.

  In some rural areas, the cuspidor has survived as a relic from the era of tsarist Russia.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

плевательница is a feminine noun (third declension in Russian). It follows standard feminine noun patterns with regular inflections based on case and number. Below is a declension table for clarity:

Note: The word is regular and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward once the basic feminine declension rules are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: сплювательница (a less common variant, implying a similar spitting receptacle; used interchangeably in historical texts)
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as this is a specific object term.

Related Phrases:

• Старинная плевательница - An antique cuspidor; refers to historical items in museums or collections.
• Публичная плевательница - A public cuspidor; used in contexts of urban hygiene in the 19th century.
• Музейная плевательница - A museum cuspidor; implies an exhibited artifact with cultural significance.

Usage Notes:

This translation corresponds directly to the English "cuspidor" as an archaic term for a spittoon. It is primarily used in formal, historical, or educational contexts in Russian, such as literature, museums, or discussions of past public health practices. Be cautious with its application, as it carries an outdated connotation and may sound overly formal or antiquated in modern speech. When choosing between translations, "плевательница" is the most precise for historical accuracy, but avoid it in everyday conversation where more contemporary hygiene-related terms might be preferred. Grammatically, ensure proper declension based on sentence structure.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing it with "плевок" (spit, a noun referring to the act of spitting). Incorrect: "Я увидел плевок на улице" (meaning "I saw a spit on the street," but intending to say cuspidor). Correct: "Я увидел плевательницу в музее." Explanation: "Плевок" refers to the substance or action, not the container, leading to a mismatch in meaning.

• Error: Using it in modern contexts without proper historical framing. Incorrect: "В офисе стоит плевательница" (implying a current setting). Correct: "В историческом офисе стояла плевательница." Explanation: This word evokes past eras, so contextualize it to avoid anachronisms.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "плевательница" is linked to 19th- and early 20th-century public health efforts, particularly in urban areas during the tsarist era. It reflects historical attitudes toward hygiene and social etiquette, where such receptacles were common in public spaces like trains, theaters, and streets to prevent the spread of diseases like tuberculosis. Today, it serves as a reminder of evolving sanitation standards and is often featured in museums as a curiosity from a less hygienic past.

Related Concepts:

• умывальник (washbasin)
• плевок (spit)
• гигиенический предмет (hygiene item)