Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'drip'

English Word: drip

Key Russian Translations:

• капля [ˈkaplʲə] - [Noun, Common, Singular]
• капать [kɐˈpatʲ] - [Verb, Informal, Used for ongoing action]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are commonly encountered in everyday Russian conversations, especially in contexts like weather, medicine, or household descriptions.)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner level for basic noun forms; B1 for verb conjugations, as it involves understanding Russian verb aspects and cases.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

капля: [ˈkaplʲə]

Note on капля: The 'лʲ' sound is a palatalized 'l', which can be challenging for English speakers; it's softer than the English 'l' in "love". Pronounce it with the tongue touching the alveolar ridge while slightly raising the front of the tongue.

капать: [kɐˈpatʲ]

Note on капать: The stress is on the second syllable, and the 'тʲ' is palatalized, making it sound softer. This verb often has imperfective aspect implications.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A small drop of liquid (Noun form).

Translation(s) & Context:

• капля - Used in everyday contexts for a single drop, such as water dripping from a faucet; common in informal and formal settings.

Usage Examples:

• С крыши падает капля воды.

  A drop of water is falling from the roof. (This example shows the noun in a simple declarative sentence, illustrating physical description.)

• Каждая капля дождя оставляет след на земле.

  Every drop of rain leaves a mark on the ground. (Demonstrates plural usage and poetic context.)

• В лаборатории мы изучаем каждую каплю вещества.

  In the laboratory, we study every drop of the substance. (Shows scientific or formal context with genitive case.)

• Капля росы на лепестке выглядит как жемчужина.

  A drop of dew on the petal looks like a pearl. (Illustrates metaphorical or descriptive language.)

Meaning 2: To fall in drops or leak slowly (Verb form).

Translation(s) & Context:

• капать - Used for actions like liquid dripping continuously; often in informal contexts, such as describing a leaky pipe or medical IV drips.

Usage Examples:

• Кран в ванной комнате капает уже целый день.

  The faucet in the bathroom has been dripping all day. (This shows the imperfective aspect for ongoing action in a household scenario.)

• Во время дождя вода капает с листьев деревьев.

  During the rain, water drips from the tree leaves. (Illustrates natural environmental context with present tense.)

• Медсестра регулирует, чтобы лекарство капало медленно.

  The nurse adjusts so that the medicine drips slowly. (Demonstrates medical usage with imperative or descriptive implications.)

• Если крыша будет капать, вызови мастера.

  If the roof starts dripping, call a repairman. (Shows conditional sentence structure in practical advice.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For капля (feminine noun, 1st declension):

This noun follows standard Russian declension patterns for feminine nouns ending in -я. It changes based on case and number.

For капать (imperfective verb, 1st conjugation):

This verb is irregular in its aspects but follows standard conjugation. It has an imperfective form and can pair with perfective counterparts like "капнуть".

Note: This verb does not change in infinitive or imperative forms beyond standard patterns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • капелька (a diminutive form, implying something smaller or more endearing)
  • роса (specifically for dew drops, with a poetic connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • поток (stream or flow, implying a larger volume)
  • струя (jet or stream, for fast-flowing liquid)

Related Phrases:

• Капля в море - A drop in the ocean (This idiom means something insignificant in a large context.)
• Капать на мозги - To drip on the brain (Informal expression for nagging or persistently bothering someone.)
• Капля крови - A drop of blood (Used in medical or dramatic contexts.)

Usage Notes:

"Drip" as a noun corresponds closely to "капля" in Russian, which is versatile but must agree in case, number, and gender. As a verb, "to drip" aligns with "капать", an imperfective verb that emphasizes ongoing actions—use its perfective counterpart "капнуть" for completed actions. Be mindful of context: in formal writing, opt for precise descriptions, while in casual speech, "капать" is common. When choosing between translations, select based on whether you're describing a static drop or an action.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "капля" without proper case agreement, e.g., saying "Я вижу капля" instead of "Я вижу каплю" (accusative case).
  Correct: "Я вижу каплю." (Explanation: Russian nouns must inflect based on the sentence's grammatical role.)
• Mistake: Confusing verb aspects, e.g., using "капать" for a one-time event like "It dripped once."
  Correct: Use "капнула" (perfective) instead. (Explanation: "Капать" implies duration, so it's not ideal for instantaneous actions.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like "капля в море" reflect a philosophical view on insignificance, often drawn from literature such as Chekhov's works, emphasizing humility and the vastness of life. This can help English speakers understand how everyday words like "drip" tie into broader existential themes in Russian storytelling.

Related Concepts:

• дождь (rain)
• вода (water)
• утечка (leak)