Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'drawer'

English Word: drawer

Key Russian Translations:

• ящик [ˈjaʂɨk] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday contexts for general drawers]
• выдвижной ящик [vɨdˈvʲiʐnəj ˈjaʂɨk] - [Formal, specifically for sliding drawers in furniture]

Frequency: Medium (The word is encountered regularly in daily conversations about furniture and household items, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary like "дом" for house.)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner level; straightforward for English learners due to simple noun forms, but requires basic understanding of Russian noun cases.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ящик: [ˈjaʂɨk]

Note on ящик: The 'щ' sound is a soft, hissing fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the 'sh' in "shesh" but with more palatalization. Practice with native audio for accuracy.

выдвижной ящик: [vɨdˈvʲiʐnəj ˈjaʂɨk]

Note on выдвижной ящик: Stress falls on the second syllable of "выдвижной"; the 'ж' sound is like the 's' in "measure." This compound word may vary slightly in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A sliding compartment in furniture for storage (most common meaning of 'drawer' in English).

Translation(s) & Context:

• ящик - Used in informal, everyday situations, such as describing drawers in a desk or kitchen cabinet; suitable for general contexts.
• выдвижной ящик - Preferred in formal or technical descriptions, emphasizing the sliding mechanism; often appears in instructional or descriptive texts.

Usage Examples:

• В столе есть ящик для хранения документов.

  In the desk, there is a drawer for storing documents. (This example shows the noun in a nominative case within a simple declarative sentence.)

• Она открыла выдвижной ящик и достала старые фотографии.

  She opened the drawer and took out old photographs. (Illustrates the word in an action-oriented context, demonstrating its use with verbs like "открыть.")

• В этом ящике всегда лежит инструмент для ремонта.

  In this drawer, there is always a tool for repairs. (Shows possessive or locative usage, common in descriptive narratives.)

• Выдвижной ящик в шкафу заедает, нужно смазать.

  The drawer in the cabinet is sticking; it needs to be lubricated. (Highlights technical or problem-solving contexts, with the word in a subject position.)

• Дети любят заглядывать в ящики комода в поисках игрушек.

  Children love to peek into the drawers of the dresser in search of toys. (Demonstrates plural or repeated usage in familial or playful scenarios.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "ящик" and "выдвижной ящик" are masculine nouns. "Ящик" follows standard third-declension patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, with regular inflections. "Выдвижной ящик" is a compound noun and inflects primarily through its main noun "ящик." Below is a table for the inflections of "ящик" (singular and plural forms). Note that "выдвижной ящик" uses the same inflections for "ящик" while "выдвижной" remains largely unchanged as an adjective.

For "выдвижной ящик," the adjective "выдвижной" agrees with the noun and changes accordingly (e.g., Genitive: выдвижного ящика).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: шкатулка (a small, decorative box-like drawer; often used for jewelry boxes, with a connotation of elegance); лоток (a tray or shallow drawer; implies something more open and less enclosed).
• Antonyms: There are no direct antonyms, as "drawer" is a physical object, but conceptually, something like открытый (open) could contrast with enclosed spaces, or perhaps полка (shelf) for an alternative storage method.

Related Phrases:

• Открыть ящик - To open the drawer; used in contexts involving access or discovery.
• Выдвижной ящик заедает - The drawer is sticking; a common phrase in maintenance or repair discussions.
• Ящик для инструментов - Drawer for tools; refers to organized storage in workshops.
• Залезть в ящик - To rummage through the drawer; informal, implying searching or curiosity.

Usage Notes:

• English "drawer" most closely aligns with "ящик" in informal settings, but for precision, use "выдвижной ящик" when emphasizing the sliding feature, as in furniture assembly instructions.
• Be mindful of context: "Ящик" can also mean a box or crate in non-furniture contexts, so specify if needed to avoid ambiguity.
• Grammar tip: As a masculine noun, it requires adjective agreement (e.g., "большой ящик" for "big drawer"). In sentences, it often appears in the accusative case with verbs like "открыть."
• When choosing between translations, opt for "ящик" in casual speech and "выдвижной ящик" in formal writing, such as technical manuals.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "ящик" with "ящиком" in instrumental case. Example of error: "Я работаю ящик" (incorrect, meant to say "with the drawer"). Correct: "Я работаю ящиком" (using instrumental for "with"). Explanation: English learners often forget case endings; always check the sentence's required case based on prepositions or verbs.
• Error: Overusing "выдвижной ящик" in everyday talk. Example of error: "Дай мне выдвижной ящик" (overly formal). Correct: "Дай мне ящик" (simpler, informal). Explanation: This makes speech sound stilted; reserve compound forms for precise descriptions.
• Error: Mispronouncing the 'щ' in "ящик" as a simple 'sh.' Example of error: Pronouncing it as [ˈjaʃɨk] instead of [ˈjaʂɨk]. Correct: Listen to native audio and practice the softer, more palatalized sound. Explanation: This can lead to misunderstandings, as it might sound like a different word.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, drawers (ящики) often symbolize organization and hidden aspects of daily life, as seen in literature like Chekhov's stories, where they might hold personal or secretive items. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on domestic spaces in Russian homes, where furniture like комоды (dressers) plays a role in family traditions and storage of heirlooms.

Related Concepts:

• шкаф (cabinet)
• комод (dresser)
• лоток (tray)
• хранение (storage)