Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dust'

English Word: dust

Key Russian Translations:

• пыль (/pɨlʲ/) - [Feminine noun, Singular, Commonly used in everyday contexts]
• пылесосить (/pɨlʲɪsɐˈsʲitʲ/) - [Verb, Informal, Used specifically for vacuuming or removing dust]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations are encountered regularly in daily conversations and literature, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary like "дом" (house).)

Difficulty: A1 for "пыль" (Beginner level, as it's a simple noun); B1 for "пылесосить" (Intermediate, due to verb conjugation and contextual usage).

Pronunciation (Russian):

пыль: /pɨlʲ/ (The "ы" sound is a central vowel, similar to the 'i' in "bit" but more rounded; stress on the first syllable.)

пылесосить: /pɨlʲɪsɐˈsʲitʲ/ (Note the palatalized 'lʲ' and the emphasis on the third syllable; common in spoken Russian with a soft 'sʲ' sound.)

Note on пыль: This word can vary slightly in pronunciation based on regional dialects, such as in Southern Russia where the vowel might sound more like /pɨl/ without strong palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Fine, dry powder consisting of tiny particles of earth or waste matter (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пыль - Used in everyday descriptions of household dirt or environmental particles, especially in informal or domestic settings.

Usage Examples:

• В комнате накопилась пыль от старых книг. (In the room, dust has accumulated from the old books.)

  Translation: Dust has built up in the room from the old books. (This example shows the noun in a static, descriptive context.)

• На улице висит пыль из-за сухой погоды. (Dust is hanging in the air outside due to the dry weather.)

  Translation: Dust is in the air outside because of the dry weather. (Illustrates usage in an environmental or outdoor scenario.)

• Дети играют в пыли на playground. (The children are playing in the dust on the playground.)

  Translation: The children are playing in the dust on the playground. (Demonstrates a playful, informal context.)

• Пыль с мебели нужно регулярно убирать. (The dust from the furniture needs to be removed regularly.)

  Translation: The dust from the furniture needs to be cleaned regularly. (Shows integration with action verbs.)

Meaning 2: To remove dust from surfaces (Verb form, as in cleaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пылесосить - Used for vacuuming or actively cleaning dust, often in household chores; informal and action-oriented.
• убирать пыль (/uˈbʲirətʲ pɨlʲ/) - A more general phrase for dusting, suitable for broader cleaning contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Я должен пылесосить ковёр, чтобы убрать пыль. (I need to vacuum the carpet to remove the dust.)

  Translation: I need to vacuum the carpet to get rid of the dust. (This highlights the verb in a domestic cleaning routine.)

• Каждое утро она убирает пыль с полок. (Every morning, she dusts the shelves.)

  Translation: Every morning, she cleans the dust off the shelves. (Shows routine usage with time expressions.)

• Весной люди часто пылесосить дома из-за пыли от цветов. (In spring, people often vacuum their homes because of dust from flowers.)

  Translation: In spring, people frequently vacuum their homes due to dust from flowers. (Illustrates seasonal or environmental triggers.)

• Не забудь пылесосить машину перед поездкой. (Don't forget to vacuum the car before the trip.)

  Translation: Don't forget to dust the car before the trip. (Demonstrates usage in preparation for an event.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "пыль" (a feminine noun of the third declension), it follows standard Russian noun inflections. It is invariable in plural forms but changes by case in singular. "Пылесосить" is a verb that conjugates regularly.

For "пылесосить" (first conjugation verb):

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: мусор (/musɐr/) - Refers to general waste, often interchangeable in messy contexts; отходы (/ɐtˈxɔdɨ/) - More formal, for waste materials.
• Antonyms: чистота (/ʧʲɪsˈtotə/) - Cleanliness, emphasizing the opposite state; порядок (/pɐˈrʲɐdək/) - Order, implying no dust or mess.

Related Phrases:

• Домашняя пыль - Household dust; a common phrase for indoor particles in cleaning contexts.
• Пыльный шторм - Dust storm; used for weather-related events, implying a significant environmental impact.
• Убрать пыль с мебели - To dust the furniture; a fixed expression for routine cleaning.

Usage Notes:

"Пыль" directly corresponds to the noun form of "dust" and is straightforward for beginners, but remember that Russian nouns require case agreement, e.g., always feminine. For the verb "пылесосить," it's more specific to vacuuming, so use "убирать пыль" for general dusting to avoid over-formality. In formal writing, pair it with prepositions like "от" (from) for precision. Choose between translations based on context: use "пыль" for static descriptions and "пылесосить" for actions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "пыль" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я вижу пыль" when it should be "Я вижу пылью" in instrumental contexts. Correct: Always check the sentence structure for proper declension to match the preposition or verb.
• Error: Confusing "пылесосить" with general cleaning; learners might say "пылесосить посуду" (vacuum the dishes), which is wrong. Correct: Use "мыть посуду" for washing dishes instead, as "пылесосить" is for dust removal only.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "пыль" often symbolizes neglect or the passage of time in literature, as seen in works by Tolstoy, where dusty rooms represent social decay. Additionally, spring cleaning (весенняя уборка) is a traditional practice in Russia, emphasizing the removal of "пыль" as a ritual for renewal, influenced by Orthodox holidays.

Related Concepts:

• грязь (dirt)
• мусор (waste)
• чистота (cleanliness)