Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dinghy'

English Word: dinghy

Key Russian Translations:

• шлюпка [ˈʂlʲupkə] - [Formal, Often used in nautical contexts]
• лодка [ˈlotkə] - [Informal, General term for small boat]

Frequency: Medium (used in specific contexts like sailing or maritime activities)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

шлюпка: [ˈʂlʲupkə]

Note on шлюпка: The initial 'ш' sound is a voiceless retroflex fricative, which may be challenging for non-native speakers. Stress falls on the first syllable.

лодка: [ˈlotkə]

Note on лодка: Stress is on the first syllable. The 'д' is pronounced softly due to the following soft vowel.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A small boat used as a tender or lifeboat (Nautical Context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• шлюпка - Commonly used in formal or technical contexts, especially related to ships or rescue operations.

Usage Examples:

• На корабле всегда есть шлюпка для спасения.

  There is always a dinghy on the ship for rescue.

• Матросы спустили шлюпку на воду.

  The sailors lowered the dinghy into the water.

• Шлюпка была привязана к корме корабля.

  The dinghy was tied to the stern of the ship.

2. A small boat for general use (Casual Context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• лодка - A more general and informal term for any small boat, not necessarily tied to a larger vessel.

Usage Examples:

• Мы взяли лодку, чтобы поплавать по озеру.

  We took a dinghy to sail on the lake.

• Эта лодка слишком мала для пятерых человек.

  This dinghy is too small for five people.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

шлюпка (feminine noun): Follows the first declension pattern in Russian. Below is the declension table for singular and plural forms:

лодка (feminine noun): Also follows the first declension pattern. Singular and plural forms are similar to шлюпка but with different endings:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for шлюпка/лодка:

• баркас (more specific to larger dinghies or small barges)
• челнок (often refers to a small, narrow boat)

Note: баркас implies a slightly larger or sturdier boat, while челнок is more archaic or regional.

Antonyms for шлюпка/лодка:

• корабль (large ship)
• лайнер (ocean liner)

Related Phrases:

• спасательная шлюпка - Lifeboat (used in emergencies on ships)
• гребная лодка - Rowboat (a small boat propelled by oars)
• спустить лодку на воду - To launch a dinghy into the water

Usage Notes:

• Choosing between шлюпка and лодка: Use "шлюпка" when referring to a small boat associated with a larger vessel or in formal maritime contexts. Use "лодка" for general or casual references to any small boat.
• Grammar: Both nouns are feminine and follow regular declension patterns, but ensure agreement with adjectives and verbs in sentences.
• Register: "шлюпка" may sound overly technical in casual conversation, where "лодка" is more appropriate.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "шлюпка" in informal contexts. Incorrect: "Мы купили шлюпку для рыбалки." Correct: "Мы купили лодку для рыбалки." (We bought a dinghy for fishing.) Explanation: "шлюпка" is tied to formal or nautical settings and sounds unnatural in everyday speech.
• Mistake: Incorrect case endings due to confusion in declension. Incorrect: "Я вижу лодку" (wrong accusative form). Correct: "Я вижу лодку." Explanation: The accusative form for animate nouns differs, but since "лодка" is inanimate, it matches the nominative in accusative.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, small boats like dinghies are often associated with rural life, fishing, or recreational activities on rivers and lakes. The term "лодка" might evoke imagery of traditional wooden boats used in villages, while "шлюпка" is more connected to naval or historical contexts, such as stories of seafaring or wartime rescue operations.

Related Concepts:

• вёсла (oars)
• причал (dock or pier)
• море (sea)
• река (river)