Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dustpan'

English Word: dustpan

Key Russian Translations:

• совок [sɐˈvok] - [Informal, Everyday use]
• подметальная лопатка [pɐdmʲɪˈtɑlʲnəjə lɐˈpatkə] - [Formal, More descriptive]

Frequency: Medium (Common in household contexts but not as frequent as basic nouns like "house" or "table").

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary level in CEFR; straightforward for beginners learning basic vocabulary related to daily life and chores).

Pronunciation (Russian):

совок: [sɐˈvok]

подметальная лопатка: [pɐdmʲɪˈtɑlʲnəjə lɐˈpatkə]

Note on совок: The stress is on the second syllable ("vok"), which is a common feature in Russian nouns. Be careful with the soft "s" sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A flat container used for collecting dust and dirt swept up by a broom.

Translation(s) & Context:

• совок - Used in casual, everyday cleaning scenarios, such as home or street sweeping.
• подметальная лопатка - Applied in more formal or technical contexts, like professional cleaning or descriptions in manuals.

Usage Examples:

• Я взял совок и быстро собрал всю пыль с пола.

  I took the dustpan and quickly collected all the dust from the floor. (Demonstrates basic usage in a simple sentence.)

• После уборки спрячьте совок в шкаф, чтобы он не мешал.

  After cleaning, put the dustpan away in the closet so it doesn't get in the way. (Shows usage in an imperative context for storage.)

• В парке дети использовали подметальную лопатку, чтобы убрать листья.

  In the park, the children used the dustpan to clear away the leaves. (Illustrates a more formal term in an outdoor, group activity.)

• Совок оказался очень удобным для сбора мелкого мусора на кухне.

  The dustpan turned out to be very handy for collecting small trash in the kitchen. (Highlights practical application in a domestic setting.)

• Если вы уроните совок, убедитесь, что он чистый перед повторным использованием.

  If you drop the dustpan, make sure it's clean before using it again. (Demonstrates conditional usage with advice.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns. "Совок" is a masculine noun in the second declension, which follows regular patterns. "Подметальная лопатка" is a feminine noun and can inflect based on standard rules for adjectives and nouns.

For "совок" (inflections shown in a table):

For "подметальная лопатка", it follows feminine adjective-noun patterns and is relatively regular, with changes in endings based on case (e.g., Genitive: подметальной лопатки).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сметка - A less common variant, often used regionally.
  • мусорный совок - Emphasizes the trash-collecting aspect, with slight nuance for waste management.
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as this is a tool noun without clear opposites. (Antonyms for cleaning tools are rare in Russian.)

Related Phrases:

• Собрать мусор в совок - To gather trash into the dustpan (Used in routines for quick cleanup).
• Подметать с помощью лопатки - To sweep with the help of a dustpan (Common in instructional contexts).
• Совок для уборки - Dustpan for cleaning (A fixed phrase highlighting its purpose).

Usage Notes:

"Совок" is the most straightforward and common translation for "dustpan" in informal Russian speech, making it ideal for everyday conversations. However, "подметальная лопатка" is preferred in formal writing or technical descriptions to provide more detail. English speakers should note that Russian nouns like these require agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying words (e.g., adjectives). When choosing between translations, opt for "совок" in casual contexts and "подметальная лопатка" for precision in educational or professional settings.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "совок" with "лопата" (shovel): English learners might misuse "лопата" thinking it means dustpan, but it's actually for digging. Correct usage: Use "совок" for dustpans. Example of error: "Я взял лопату для уборки" (Wrong: I took a shovel for cleaning). Correct: "Я взял совок для уборки" (Right: I took a dustpan for cleaning). This error stems from visual similarities but changes the meaning entirely.

• Improper inflection: Forgetting to change the case, e.g., saying "с совок" instead of "с совком" in instrumental case. Correct: Always adjust endings based on sentence structure to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, tools like the "совок" are emblematic of everyday practicality in homes and public spaces, reflecting the value placed on tidiness in communal living. Historically, during the Soviet era, simple cleaning tools were mass-produced and widely used, symbolizing efficiency in daily life, though they don't carry deep symbolic connotations today.

Related Concepts:

• швабра (mop)
• метла (broom)
• уборка (cleaning)