Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'eyelid'

English Word: eyelid

Key Russian Translations:

• веко [ˈvʲɛkə] - [Neutral; commonly used in everyday, medical, and anatomical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word is encountered in general conversations about health, biology, and daily life, but not as frequently as basic vocabulary in casual speech.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; straightforward for English speakers due to its concrete meaning and simple noun form, though understanding basic Russian noun declensions may require initial practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

веко: [ˈvʲɛkə]

Note on веко: The pronunciation features a palatalized 'в' sound ([vʲ]), which is common in Russian but may be challenging for beginners. Stress falls on the first syllable. Variations in regional accents might slightly alter vowel sounds, but [ˈvʲɛkə] is standard in Moscow Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The anatomical part: The fold of skin that covers and protects the eye

Translation(s) & Context:

• веко - Used in medical descriptions, everyday language for physical sensations, or in educational contexts; neutral and applicable across formal and informal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Мои веки тяжелые от усталости.

  My eyelids are heavy from fatigue. (This example shows the plural form in a personal, everyday context describing physical tiredness.)

• Веки защищают глаза от пыли и света.

  Eyelids protect the eyes from dust and light. (Illustrates the nominative plural in an explanatory, educational sentence.)

• У него опухло веко после аллергии.

  His eyelid is swollen after an allergy. (Demonstrates the singular neuter noun in a medical context, highlighting singular usage.)

• Поморгай веками, чтобы увлажнить глаза.

  Blink your eyelids to moisten your eyes. (Shows the plural in an imperative sentence for health advice.)

• Врачи осмотрели ее веки во время проверки зрения.

  Doctors examined her eyelids during the vision check. (Used in a formal, professional setting to describe a medical examination.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"веко" is a neuter noun in the second declension. It inflects regularly based on case and number, which is typical for Russian nouns. Below is a table outlining its basic declensions for singular and plural forms:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively easy to learn for beginners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ресница (resnitsa) - Though primarily means "eyelash," it can be contextually related but is not a direct synonym; used more for the hairs on the eyelid.
  • окологлазная кожа (okologlaznaya kozha) - Means "skin around the eye," a more descriptive phrase for formal or medical contexts.
• Antonyms: None direct, as "eyelid" is a specific anatomical term without a clear opposite. However, related concepts might include "глаз" (glaz, eye) in broader contexts.

Related Phrases:

• опустить веки - To lower eyelids (Used in contexts of relaxation or sleep, e.g., falling asleep.)
• поморгать веками - To blink eyelids (Common in health or eye care advice.)
• веко опухло - Eyelid is swollen (A phrase for describing symptoms in medical situations.)

Usage Notes:

"веко" directly corresponds to the English "eyelid" as a neutral, everyday term. It is versatile across registers but is most common in factual or descriptive speech. When using in sentences, always consider Russian case requirements—for example, in prepositional phrases, it changes to "в веке" (in the eyelid). If multiple translations exist, "веко" is the standard choice for precision. Beginners should practice with plural forms, as they frequently appear in daily language.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "веко" with "ресница" (eyelash): English learners might misuse "ресница" thinking it means eyelid, but it specifically refers to the hairs. Correct usage: Say "веко" for the skin fold, e.g., Incorrect: "Моя ресница тяжелая" (wrong); Correct: "Мое веко тяжелое".
• Forgetting declensions: Learners often use the nominative form everywhere, e.g., Incorrect: "Я думаю о веко" (should be "о веке" in genitive). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so always adjust based on the sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, eyelids are sometimes referenced in idiomatic expressions related to emotion or fatigue, such as in poetry or literature where "тяжелые веки" (heavy eyelids) symbolizes weariness or introspection. This reflects a broader Slavic tradition of using body parts in metaphorical language to convey inner states.

Related Concepts:

• глаз (glaz) - Eye
• ресница (resnitsa) - Eyelash
• бровь (brov') - Eyebrow