Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Debris'

English Word: debris

Key Russian Translations:

• обломки [ˈobləmkʲi] - [Plural, Neutral]
• мусор [ˈmusər] - [Neutral, Often for waste or trash]
• остатки [ɐˈstatkʲi] - [Plural, Neutral, Often for remnants]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate, depending on context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

обломки: [ˈobləmkʲi]

Note on обломки: Stress on the first syllable; the 'o' sounds like the 'o' in 'core'.

мусор: [ˈmusər]

Note on мусор: Stress on the first syllable; the 'у' sounds like 'oo' in 'food'.

остатки: [ɐˈstatkʲi]

Note on остатки: Stress on the second syllable; the initial 'о' is reduced to a schwa sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Fragments or pieces from something broken or destroyed

Translation(s) & Context:

• обломки - Used for physical fragments, such as from a crashed plane or broken structure.

Usage Examples:

• После аварии на дороге остались обломки машины.

  After the accident, debris from the car remained on the road.

• Обломки корабля были разбросаны по всему берегу.

  Debris from the ship was scattered all over the shore.

• Спасатели искали обломки самолёта в горах.

  Rescuers were searching for the debris of the plane in the mountains.

2. Waste or rubbish

Translation(s) & Context:

• мусор - Used for trash or waste material, often in everyday contexts.

Usage Examples:

• На стройке был куча мусора и строительных отходов.

  There was a pile of debris and construction waste at the site.

• Пожалуйста, уберите мусор с улицы.

  Please clean up the debris from the street.

3. Remains or remnants

Translation(s) & Context:

• остатки - Used for remnants, often in a broader or metaphorical sense.

Usage Examples:

• На месте древнего города остались только остатки стен.

  Only the debris of the walls remained at the site of the ancient city.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

обломки (noun, masculine, plural): This word is typically used in the plural form. Singular form "обломок" is less common.

Case	Singular (обломок)	Plural (обломки)
Nominative	обломок	обломки
Genitive	обломка	обломков
Dative	обломку	обломкам
Accusative	обломок	обломки
Instrumental	обломком	обломками
Prepositional	обломке	обломках

мусор (noun, masculine, singular): Typically used in singular form for collective waste.

остатки (noun, masculine, plural): Mostly used in plural; singular "остаток" refers to a single remnant.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for обломки:

• фрагменты
• осколки (more for glass or sharp fragments)

Note: "осколки" often implies sharper or smaller pieces compared to "обломки".

Synonyms for мусор:

• отходы
• хлам

Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "debris" implies destruction or waste.

Related Phrases:

• строительный мусор - Construction debris
• обломки цивилизации - Debris of civilization (metaphorical)
• остатки еды - Food remnants or leftovers

Usage Notes:

• "обломки" is the most direct translation for physical debris from something broken, like wreckage.
• "мусор" is more general and often refers to trash or waste; avoid using it for wreckage contexts.
• "остатки" can be used metaphorically or for remnants of non-physical things (e.g., остатки надежды - remnants of hope).
• Pay attention to number: "обломки" and "остатки" are usually plural, while "мусор" is singular.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "мусор" for debris in the context of a crash or destruction. Example: *На месте аварии был мусор* (incorrect).
  Correct: На месте аварии были обломки. (Debris from the accident was there.)
  Explanation: "мусор" implies everyday trash, not wreckage.
• Error: Using singular "обломок" when referring to scattered debris. Example: *Обломок машины лежал на дороге* (less natural).
  Correct: Обломки машины лежали на дороге.
  Explanation: Debris is usually plural in such contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the word "мусор" can sometimes carry a derogatory connotation when used metaphorically (e.g., "мусор в голове" - rubbish in the head, meaning nonsense). Be cautious when using it outside literal contexts. Additionally, environmental awareness about "мусор" (trash) is growing in Russia, with campaigns to reduce littering.

Related Concepts:

• разрушение (destruction)
• авария (accident)
• отходы (waste)