Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dollop'

English Word: dollop

Key Russian Translations:

• кусок [ˈkusək] - [Informal, often used for food portions]
• добавка [dɐˈbavkə] - [Formal, implying an additional amount]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday contexts like cooking or descriptions of food)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun inflections and contextual usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кусок: [ˈkusək]

добавка: [dɐˈbavkə]

Note on кусок: The stress falls on the first syllable; be careful with the 'к' sound, which is a hard velar stop.

Note on добавка: The 'о' in the second syllable is pronounced as a schwa [ə] in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A small lump or portion of soft food, often added to enhance flavor

Translation(s) & Context:

• кусок - Used in informal, everyday contexts, such as describing a spoonful of cream or sauce in cooking.
• добавка - Applied in more formal or precise settings, like recipes or nutritional discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Я добавил кусок сливок в кофе, чтобы сделать его вкуснее.

  I added a dollop of cream to the coffee to make it tastier.

• В рецепте рекомендуется положить добавку меда для сладости.

  The recipe recommends adding a dollop of honey for sweetness.

• Она взяла кусок сметаны и размешала в супе.

  She took a dollop of sour cream and stirred it into the soup.

• Какую добавку масла вы предпочитаете в салате?

  What dollop of oil do you prefer in your salad?

• Маленький кусок йогурта может улучшить вкус смузи.

  A small dollop of yogurt can enhance the flavor of a smoothie.

A metaphorical or informal use for a small amount of anything soft or viscous

Translation(s) & Context:

• кусок - Informal, extended to non-food contexts like paint or mud.
• добавка - Less common here, but used in precise descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• На холсте был нанесён кусок краски для эффекта.

  A dollop of paint was applied to the canvas for effect.

• Эта добавка глины сделала смесь более вязкой.

  This dollop of clay made the mixture thicker.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "кусок" and "добавка" are nouns. Russian nouns inflect for case, number, and gender. "Кусок" is masculine and follows the standard second declension pattern with irregularities in some cases. "Добавка" is feminine and follows the first declension.

Note: "Кусок" has an irregular plural stem in some cases (e.g., "кусочков" instead of "кусков"), which is common for nouns ending in -ок.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: порция (portion), ломоть (slice), доза (dose) - "Порция" is more neutral, while "ломоть" implies a larger piece.
• Antonyms: большое количество (large amount), куча (heap)

Related Phrases:

• добавить кусок - To add a dollop; used in cooking contexts to enhance flavor.
• маленькая добавка - A small dollop; often in formal recipes for precise measurements.
• кусок масла - A dollop of butter; a common phrase in everyday Russian cuisine.

Usage Notes:

"Dollop" corresponds most closely to "кусок" in informal English-Russian translations, especially for food, but "добавка" is preferred in formal or written contexts like recipes. Be mindful of the noun's gender and case when constructing sentences; for example, use the genitive case after prepositions like "of" (e.g., "куска сливок" for "dollop of cream"). In spoken Russian, "кусок" is versatile but avoid it in highly formal settings where "добавка" might sound more appropriate. If the context involves measurement, choose based on specificity.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "кусок" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "Я ем кусок" instead of "Я ем кусок" (correct, but learners might forget case in phrases like "куска еды" for "dollop of food"). Correct: "Я добавил кусок сливок" – Ensure genitive for possession.

• Error: Confusing with similar words like "куча" (heap), leading to overuse; e.g., incorrectly saying "куча сливок" for a small amount. Correct: Use "кусок" for precision, as in "небольшой кусок" to avoid exaggeration.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "кусок" often appear in traditional recipes, such as in borscht or blini preparation, where adding a "dollop" of sour cream is a staple. This reflects a cultural emphasis on hearty, home-cooked meals, symbolizing warmth and hospitality in family gatherings.

Related Concepts:

• порция
• доза
• ломоть