Russian Translation(s) & Details for '{{drib}}'

English Word: {{drib}}

Key Russian Translations:

• капля [ˈkaplʲə] - [Informal, Singular]
• малейшая часть [mɐˈlʲeɪʂɐ ˈtʂasʲtʲ] - [Formal, Used in abstract contexts]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation, appearing more in literary or specific descriptive contexts.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and palatalization, but accessible with intermediate knowledge per CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

капля: [ˈkaplʲə]

Note on капля: The 'л' is palatalized, which is a common feature in Russian nouns. Pronounce it with a soft 'l' sound, as in "lye," to avoid sounding unnatural.

малейшая часть: [mɐˈlʲeɪʂɐ ˈtʂasʲtʲ]

Note on малая часть: Stress falls on the second syllable of "малейшая"; be cautious with the 'ш' sound, which is softer than in English 'sh'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A small drop or amount (literal, referring to liquids or minimal quantities)

Translation(s) & Context:

• капля - Used in everyday contexts for describing small liquid drops, such as in rain or medicine; common in informal speech.
• малейшая часть - Applied in formal or philosophical contexts to denote an insignificant portion, like in scientific or metaphorical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Вода падает с крыши каплями во время дождя.

  Water falls from the roof in drops during the rain.

• Он добавил всего лишь каплю масла в салат, чтобы не переусердствовать.

  He added just a drop of oil to the salad to avoid overdoing it.

• Малейшая часть информации может изменить весь исход эксперимента.

  The smallest part of information can change the entire outcome of the experiment.

• Капля дождя скатилась по стеклу, оставляя след.

  A drop of rain rolled down the glass, leaving a trail.

• В её речи была малая часть правды, но она прозвучала убедительно.

  In her speech, there was just the smallest part of truth, but it sounded convincing.

Meaning 2: Figurative use for a trivial or insignificant amount

Translation(s) & Context:

• капля - In idiomatic expressions, to emphasize something minor or fleeting.
• малейшая часть - In formal writing, to discuss negligible contributions.

Usage Examples:

• Его вклад в проект был всего лишь каплей в океане усилий команды.

  His contribution to the project was just a drop in the ocean of the team's efforts.

• Малейшая часть ошибки может привести к катастрофе в инженерии.

  The smallest part of an error can lead to a catastrophe in engineering.

• Капля надежды сохранилась в её сердце, несмотря на трудности.

  A drop of hope remained in her heart, despite the difficulties.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "капля" (feminine noun, 1st declension), it undergoes regular declension based on case and number. Below is a table of its inflections:

For "малейшая часть" (adjective + noun phrase), "малейшая" is an adjective that agrees with the noun in gender, number, and case. It follows standard adjective declension. The phrase as a whole does not inflect irregularly but adapts based on context.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • капелька (a diminutive form, implying even smaller size)
  • кусочек (for non-liquid minimal parts, with a slight nuance of solidity)
• Antonyms:
  • море (sea, implying a large amount)
  • целое (whole, for something complete or substantial)

Related Phrases:

• Капля в море - A drop in the ocean; used to describe something insignificant compared to the whole.
• Капля за каплей - Drop by drop; refers to gradual accumulation or process.
• Малейшая деталь - The smallest detail; emphasizes precision in contexts like investigation or craftsmanship.

Usage Notes:

When translating '{{drib}}' to Russian, "капля" is the most direct equivalent for literal small drops, while "малейшая часть" suits abstract or formal uses. Be mindful of context: in informal settings, "капля" is preferred, but in scientific or literary Russian, opt for "малейшая часть" to convey precision. Grammatically, always decline nouns according to case, as Russian requires agreement. For English learners, note that '{{drib}}' may not have an exact one-to-one match, so choose based on register—avoid "капля" in highly formal texts to prevent sounding casual.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "капля" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я видел капля" instead of "Я видел каплю" (accusative case). Correct: "Я видел каплю" – Explanation: Russian nouns must agree with the case governed by the verb; "видел" requires accusative, so decline accordingly to avoid grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing "капля" with "капелька," using the diminutive inappropriately, e.g., in serious contexts. Correct: Use "капля" for neutral descriptions; "капелька" adds affection or smallness, which might alter the tone unintentionally.

• Error: Overliteral translation in idioms, e.g., translating '{{drib}} in the bucket' directly as "капля в ведре" instead of the standard "капля в море." Correct: Adopt common Russian idioms for natural expression; this prevents awkward phrasing.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like "капля в море" often reflect a philosophical view of human insignificance in the vast universe, stemming from Russian literature (e.g., influenced by writers like Tolstoy). This can highlight themes of humility or the overwhelming scale of nature, which is a common motif in Russian folklore and poetry.

Related Concepts:

• капель
• небольшой объём
• фрагмент