Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dart'

English Word: dart

Key Russian Translations:

• дротик [ˈdrotik] - [Singular, Neutral, Used in games or sports]
• стрела [strʲɪˈla] - [Singular, Feminine, Often metaphorical or in archery]
• метать [mʲɪˈtatʲ] - [Verb, To throw or dart quickly]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "дротик" and "стрела"); B1 (Intermediate for "метать")

Pronunciation (Russian):

дротик: [ˈdrotik]

Note on дротик: Stress on the first syllable. The "д" is pronounced with a hard sound.

стрела: [strʲɪˈla]

Note on стрела: Stress on the last syllable. The "р" is rolled slightly.

метать: [mʲɪˈtatʲ]

Note on метать: Stress on the second syllable. The "т" is soft due to the following "ь".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A small pointed missile (noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• дротик - Used specifically for darts in games or sports.
• стрела - Often used metaphorically (e.g., Cupid's arrow) or in archery contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он бросил дротик в мишень.

  He threw a dart at the target.

• Дротик попал точно в центр.

  The dart hit right in the center.

• Стрела любви пронзила его сердце.

  The arrow of love pierced his heart.

2. To move quickly (verb)

Translation(s) & Context:

• метать - Used for quick, sudden movements or throwing actions.

Usage Examples:

• Она метнула взгляд на меня.

  She darted a glance at me.

• Он метнул копьё с невероятной скоростью.

  He darted the spear with incredible speed.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

дротик (Noun, Masculine):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	дротик	дротики
Genitive	дротика	дротиков
Dative	дротику	дротикам
Accusative	дротик	дротики
Instrumental	дротиком	дротиками
Prepositional	о дротике	о дротиках

стрела (Noun, Feminine): Follows regular feminine declension patterns.

метать (Verb): First conjugation verb with irregular forms in past tense. Example: метать (infinitive), метаю (1st person singular present), метнул (past masculine).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for дротик:

• копьё (spear, broader term)
• стрелы (arrows, plural form)

Note: "копьё" is more general and can refer to larger spears, while "стрелы" is often poetic or metaphorical.

Antonyms for метать:

• ловить (to catch)

Related Phrases:

• метать взгляд - To dart a glance (quick, sharp look)
• стрела Амура - Cupid's arrow (metaphorical for falling in love)
• игра в дротики - Playing darts (a common game)

Usage Notes:

• "дротик" is the most direct translation for the physical object used in the game of darts. It is rarely used outside this context.
• "стрела" often carries a poetic or metaphorical connotation, especially in literature or expressions related to love or fate.
• "метать" as a verb is versatile but most commonly paired with objects like spears or glances. It implies speed and suddenness.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "стрела" for the game of darts. Wrong: "Я бросил стрелу в мишень" (I threw an arrow at the target). Correct: Use "дротик" instead: "Я бросил дротик в мишень."
• Error: Misusing "метать" with inappropriate objects. Wrong: "Я метнул мяч" (I darted a ball). Correct: Use "бросил" for general throwing: "Я бросил мяч."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "стрела" often appears in folklore and literature as a symbol of fate or divine intervention, such as in the context of Cupid's arrow or mythological tales. The game of darts, however, is a relatively modern and less culturally significant activity in Russia compared to Western countries.

Related Concepts:

• копьё (spear)
• лук (bow)
• мишень (target)