Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dregs'

English Word: dregs

Key Russian Translations:

• Осадок [ɐˈsadək] - [Formal, Singular, Used in scientific or literal contexts for sediment in liquids]
• Отбросы [ɐtˈbrosɨ] - [Informal, Plural, Used figuratively for worthless remnants or dregs in a metaphorical sense]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday conversation but appear in specialized contexts like chemistry or literature.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and contextual usage, with "Осадок" being straightforward and "Отбросы" involving plural forms.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Осадок: [ɐˈsadək] (The stress is on the second syllable; the 'о' sounds like a short 'a' in English 'cat'.)

Отбросы: [ɐtˈbrosɨ] (Note the plural ending; the 'ы' is a soft, unstressed vowel similar to the 'i' in English 'bit'.)

Note on Осадок: Be cautious with the soft 'д' sound, which can vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Literal Meaning: The sediment or solid particles at the bottom of a liquid.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Осадок - Used in scientific, culinary, or everyday contexts when referring to physical residues, such as in wine or coffee.

Usage Examples:

• В вине часто образуется осадок, который следует осторожно слить.

  In wine, dregs often form, which should be carefully poured off.

• После варки чая на дне чашки остался осадок.

  After brewing tea, dregs were left at the bottom of the cup.

Figurative Meaning: The least desirable or worthless part of something, often metaphorically.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Отбросы - Applied in informal or literary contexts to describe societal outcasts or the remnants of a group.

Usage Examples:

• Эти отбросы общества редко получают шанс на исправление.

  These dregs of society rarely get a chance for redemption.

• В конце вечеринки остались только отбросы толпы.

  At the end of the party, only the dregs of the crowd remained.

• Осадок от прошлых ошибок всё ещё влияет на его решения.

  The dregs of past mistakes still influence his decisions.

• В этой смеси ингредиентов осадок делает напиток невкусным.

  In this mixture of ingredients, the dregs make the drink unpalatable.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Осадок" is a masculine noun in Russian, which follows the standard second declension pattern. It changes based on case and number. "Отбросы" is a plural-only noun and has its own irregular forms.

Note: "Осадок" does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Шлак (zhlak) - More industrial, referring to slag or waste; differs from "осадок" by implying man-made residue.
  • Остатки (ostatki) - General remnants; used in broader contexts like leftovers.
• Antonyms:
  • Эссенция (essentsiya) - The essence or pure part, opposite in a figurative sense.
  • Элитa (elita) - Elite or high-quality elements, contrasting with societal dregs.

Related Phrases:

• Осадок на дне - At the bottom of the dregs (Literal: Refers to physical sediment; used in contexts like wine tasting.)
• Отбросы общества - Dregs of society (Figurative: Describes marginalized groups; often in social commentary.)
• Осесть на дне как осадок - To settle like dregs (Idiomatic: Means to become stagnant or worthless over time.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "осадок" directly corresponds to the literal English meaning of dregs as sediment, and it's commonly used in scientific or everyday liquid-related contexts. For figurative uses, "отбросы" aligns more with the metaphorical sense, but be aware of its informal and potentially negative connotations, which can sound harsh in polite conversation. When choosing between translations, opt for "осадок" in formal or technical settings and "отбросы" in literary ones. Grammatically, always consider noun declension based on sentence structure to ensure agreement.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "осадок" in a figurative sense without context, e.g., saying "осадок общества" instead of "отбросы общества". Correct: "Отбросы общества" is more appropriate for metaphorical dregs. Explanation: "Осадок" is too literal and may confuse listeners.
• Mistake: Forgetting to decline the noun, e.g., using "осадок" in the genitive case as "осадок" instead of "осадка". Correct: In a sentence like "остатки от осадка", it should be "остатки от осадка" (wait, correct is "осадка"). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, so learners often overlook this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "отбросы" can carry strong social undertones, often linked to historical contexts such as Soviet-era literature where they describe class divides. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on collective society versus individual outliers, helping English speakers understand nuances in Russian social commentary.

Related Concepts:

• Шлак
• Остатки
• Эссенция