Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dig'

English Word: dig

Key Russian Translations:

• копать [ˈkopətʲ] - [Neutral, Commonly used for physical digging]
• рыть [ˈrɨtʲ] - [Neutral, Often used for digging with hands or tools, slightly more informal]
• выкапывать [vɨˈkapɨvətʲ] - [Neutral, Specific to digging something out]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday contexts related to physical activity)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate; varies slightly by specific translation and context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

копать: [ˈkopətʲ]

Note on копать: Stress falls on the first syllable. The 'o' is pronounced as a short, open vowel.

рыть: [ˈrɨtʲ]

Note on рыть: The 'ы' sound is unique to Russian, a vowel between 'i' and 'u'. Stress on the single syllable.

выкапывать: [vɨˈkapɨvətʲ]

Note on выкапывать: Stress on the second syllable. The prefix 'вы-' indicates completion of the action.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To physically dig (e.g., in soil or ground)

Translation(s) & Context:

• копать - General term for digging, used in most contexts involving tools or hands.
• рыть - Often implies a more intense or manual effort, such as digging a hole or trench.

Usage Examples:

• Я копаю яму для дерева.

  I am digging a hole for a tree.

• Собака роет землю в саду.

  The dog is digging the ground in the garden.

• Мы копали землю весь день.

  We were digging the ground all day.

2. To extract or unearth (e.g., dig something out)

Translation(s) & Context:

• выкапывать - Used when digging something out of the ground, like a treasure or root.

Usage Examples:

• Мы выкопали старый сундук из земли.

  We dug out an old chest from the ground.

• Осенью нужно выкапывать картошку.

  In autumn, you need to dig out potatoes.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

копать (Imperfective Verb): Regular verb with standard conjugation in present, past, and future tenses.

Person	Present Tense	Past Tense (M/F/N)
Я (I)	копаю	копал / копала / копало
Ты (You, sing.)	копаешь	копал / копала / копало
Он/Она/Оно (He/She/It)	копает	копал / копала / копало

рыть (Imperfective Verb): Similar to копать but slightly less regular in past forms.

выкапывать (Imperfective Verb): Compound verb with prefix 'вы-', follows regular conjugation patterns but indicates completed action in perfective form (выкопать).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• роить (less common, archaic)
• долбить (used for hard surfaces, more specific)

Note: 'копать' is more general, while 'долбить' implies breaking hard material.

Antonyms:

• засыпать (to fill in, to cover with earth)
• закрывать (to close up a hole)

Related Phrases:

• копать яму - to dig a hole (literal or figurative, e.g., to cause trouble for someone)
• рыть носом землю - to dig the ground with one’s nose (idiom: to be very eager or persistent)
• выкопать клад - to dig out a treasure (literal or metaphorical discovery)

Usage Notes:

• 'копать' is the most neutral and widely used term for digging and can be applied in most physical contexts.
• 'рыть' often implies a more hands-on or intense effort and is frequently used with animals or informal settings.
• 'выкапывать' specifically refers to the act of digging something out, often with a sense of completion or result.
• Be mindful of aspect: imperfective forms (копать, рыть) describe ongoing actions, while perfective forms (выкопать) indicate completed actions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'рыть' in formal contexts or written language where 'копать' is more appropriate.
  Incorrect: Мы рыли фундамент для дома.
  Correct: Мы копали фундамент для дома.
  Explanation: 'рыть' sounds more informal and is less suitable for structured or planned activities like digging a foundation.
• Error: Forgetting to use the perfective form 'выкопать' when the action is completed.
  Incorrect: Я копаю клад.
  Correct: Я выкопал клад.
  Explanation: Use perfective verbs to indicate a completed result.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the act of digging is often associated with rural life, gardening, or historical contexts like archaeology (e.g., digging for treasures or artifacts). The phrase "копать яму" (to dig a hole) can also be used idiomatically to mean creating trouble or problems for someone, reflecting a cultural nuance of indirect harm.

Related Concepts:

• лопата (shovel)
• земля (earth, soil)
• яма (hole, pit)