Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'drawbridge'

English Word: drawbridge

Key Russian Translations:

• разводной мост [rɐzˈvodnəj ˈmost] - [Formal, Technical]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation; it's more prevalent in historical, architectural, or literary contexts.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves compound nouns and specific vocabulary related to engineering or history; learners need basic knowledge of Russian noun cases.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

разводной мост: [rɐzˈvodnəj ˈmost]

Note on разводной мост: The stress falls on the second syllable of 'разводной' (vo-dnəj). Be mindful of the soft sign (ь) in 'разводной', which affects the pronunciation of the preceding consonant. Pronunciation may vary slightly by region, such as in Moscow vs. St. Petersburg dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A bridge that can be raised or lowered, often for defensive or navigational purposes.

Translation(s) & Context:

• разводной мост - Used in contexts involving historical sites, castles, or modern engineering, such as in descriptions of medieval fortifications or urban canals. This translation is appropriate for formal or educational discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В старом замке есть разводной мост, который поднимают по ночам для защиты.

  In the old castle, there is a drawbridge that is raised at night for protection.

• Разводной мост в Санкт-Петербурге часто используется для пропуска судов по реке Неве.

  The drawbridge in St. Petersburg is often used to allow ships to pass along the Neva River.

• Инженеры ремонтируют разводной мост, чтобы он мог функционировать в туристический сезон.

  Engineers are repairing the drawbridge so it can function during the tourist season.

• В фильме о средневековой эпохе показан разводной мост, ведущий в крепость.

  In the film about the medieval era, a drawbridge leading to the fortress is shown.

• Разводной мост опускают только после тщательной проверки безопасности.

  The drawbridge is lowered only after a thorough safety check.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Разводной мост' is a noun phrase where 'мост' (bridge) is a masculine noun, and 'разводной' is an adjective that agrees with it. Russian nouns and adjectives inflect based on case, number, and gender. 'Мост' follows the standard masculine noun pattern with irregularities in some cases.

Note: 'Разводной' as an adjective inflects to agree with the noun. This phrase does not have verbal inflections since it's not a verb.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • подъемный мост (pod"yomnyy most) - Similar meaning, emphasizing the lifting mechanism; often used interchangeably but more common in modern contexts.
  • вороный мост (voronoy most) - Less common, archaic variant for historical drawbridges.
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as this is a specific type of structure. However, a general opposite might be a fixed bridge, e.g., стационарный мост (stantsionarnyy most).

Related Phrases:

• Разводной мост в замке - A drawbridge in a castle; used in historical or fantasy contexts to describe defensive structures.
• Поднимать разводной мост - To raise the drawbridge; implies preparing for defense or closing access.
• Мост с разводным механизмом - Bridge with a drawbridge mechanism; refers to engineering designs in urban settings.

Usage Notes:

The Russian translation 'разводной мост' directly corresponds to 'drawbridge' in English, focusing on its mechanical function. It is typically used in formal, historical, or technical contexts rather than everyday speech. When using this phrase, ensure the adjective 'разводной' agrees with the noun in case and number. For learners, choose this term over synonyms like 'подъемный мост' if the context emphasizes historical or defensive aspects. Be aware of regional variations; in Russian literature, it often evokes medieval imagery.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'развод мост' without the adjective, thinking it's sufficient. Correct: 'Разводной мост' – The full phrase is needed for accuracy. Explanation: 'Разводной' specifies the type of bridge; omitting it changes the meaning entirely.
• Mistake: Incorrect case agreement, e.g., saying 'на разводном мост' instead of 'на разводном мосту' in prepositional case. Correct: 'На разводном мосту' – Explanation: Russian requires precise case endings; this error is common among beginners and can make sentences grammatically incorrect.
• Mistake: Confusing it with 'мост' alone, leading to vagueness. Correct: Specify 'разводной мост' for clarity. Explanation: In Russian, context is key, and using the full phrase avoids ambiguity in technical discussions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, drawbridges like those in St. Petersburg (e.g., the Palace Bridge) symbolize the city's imperial history and engineering prowess. They are often featured in literature and films as metaphors for defense and transition, reflecting Russia's medieval fortifications and its role in European history. Understanding this can enrich learners' appreciation of Russian architecture and folklore.

Related Concepts:

• мост (most) - General term for bridge.
• крепость (krepost') - Fortress, often associated with drawbridges in historical contexts.
• виадук (viaduk) - Viaduct, a related engineering structure.