Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'finger'

English Word: finger

Key Russian Translations:

• палец /ˈpalʲɪts/ - [Formal, Singular, Refers to a digit on the hand or foot]
• указательный палец /ʊkɐˈzatʲɪlʲnɨj ˈpalʲɪts/ - [Formal, Compound noun, Used specifically for the index finger]

Frequency: High (Common in everyday Russian conversation, especially in medical, descriptive, or casual contexts).

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it is a basic vocabulary word; however, for compound forms like "указательный палец," it may rise to A2 for learners needing to understand adjectives and nouns together).

Pronunciation (Russian):

палец: /ˈpalʲɪts/

указательный палец: /ʊkɐˈzatʲɪlʲnɨj ˈpalʲɪts/

Note on палец: The soft sign (ь) in "палец" indicates palatalization of the preceding consonant, which can be tricky for English speakers; pronounce it with a soft "l" sound, similar to the "l" in "million." Stress is on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The part of the hand used for touching, grasping, or pointing.

Translation(s) & Context:

• палец - Used in general contexts for human or animal fingers, such as in medical discussions or everyday descriptions (e.g., in formal or informal settings).
• указательный палец - Specifically for the index finger, often in contexts involving direction or emphasis, like gesturing or instructions.

Usage Examples:

• Я поранил палец на руке во время работы. (Ya poranil palets na ruke vo vremya raboty.)

  I injured my finger on my hand while working. (This example shows the word in a singular, nominative context for describing a personal injury.)

• Дети показывают указательный палец, чтобы указать на что-то интересное. (Deti pokazyvayut ukazatelʹnyy palets, chtoby ukazatʹ na chto-to interesnoye.)

  Children point with their index finger to indicate something interesting. (Illustrates the compound form in a plural, everyday scenario involving action.)

• Врачи проверяют подвижность пальцев после операции. (Vrachi proverayut podvizhnostʹ palʹtsev posle operatsii.)

  Doctors check the mobility of fingers after surgery. (Demonstrates plural form "пальцев" in a medical context, showing grammatical agreement.)

• Не трогай это указательным пальцем, оно горячее! (Ne trogay eto ukazatelʹnym paltsem, ono goryacheye!)

  Don't touch that with your index finger; it's hot! (Highlights imperative use in a warning context, emphasizing specificity.)

• Мой палец болит из-за долгого печатания на клавиатуре. (Moy palets bolit iz-za dolgogo pechataniya na klaviature.)

  My finger hurts from prolonged typing on the keyboard. (Shows possessive use in a modern, technology-related scenario.)

Figurative or metaphorical use (e.g., in expressions).

Translation(s) & Context:

• палец - Can be used metaphorically in idioms, such as in "палец о палец не ударил" (didn't lift a finger), though less common for "finger" alone.

Usage Examples:

• Он палец о палец не ударил, чтобы помочь. (On palets o palets ne udaril, chtoby pomochʹ.)

  He didn't lift a finger to help. (This idiomatic expression uses "палец" figuratively to convey laziness or inaction.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Палец" is a masculine noun in the second declension. It follows standard Russian noun inflections for case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

For "указательный палец," it inflects as a compound noun, with "указательный" (an adjective) agreeing in case, number, and gender with "палец." Its inflections follow the same pattern as "палец" but include adjective changes (e.g., Genitive: указательного пальца).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пальчик (a diminutive form, implying something small or endearing, often used with children)
  • дигит (rare, borrowed term, more technical)
• Antonyms:
  • None direct, as "finger" is a specific body part; however, in broader contexts, terms like "ладонь" (palm) could contrast as a different hand part.

Related Phrases:

• Палец руки (Palets ruki) - Finger of the hand; used to specify location. (Common in anatomical descriptions.)
• Указательный палец (Ukazatelʹnyy palets) - Index finger; as above, for pointing.
• Палец о палец не ударить (Palets o palets ne udaril) - Didn't lift a finger; an idiom for inaction. (Implies laziness in effort.)

Usage Notes:

Russian translations of "finger" like "палец" are straightforward for basic anatomical references, but be mindful of context: use "палец" for general fingers and "указательный палец" for the index finger to ensure precision. In formal settings, such as medical or educational contexts, these terms are neutral and widely applicable. Grammatically, "палец" requires agreement in case and number, which can differ from English's lack of declension—e.g., always use the correct case when describing actions (e.g., "с пальцем" for "with the finger"). When choosing between translations, opt for "пальчик" in affectionate or diminutive contexts to convey warmth, as in talking to children.

Common Errors:

• English learners often misuse cases, e.g., saying "Я имею палец" instead of "У меня палец" (I have a finger). Correct: Use the prepositional case in "У меня пальце" for possession to sound natural.

• Confusing singular and plural: Saying "пальцы" when only one finger is meant, or vice versa. Example of error: "Я сломал пальцы" when referring to just one—correct as "Я сломал палец" and explain the need for number agreement.

• Overusing diminutives: Beginners might always use "пальчик" thinking it's cuter, but it's informal; in professional contexts, stick to "палец" to avoid sounding childish.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, fingers and hand gestures play a role in folklore and superstitions, such as the "figa" gesture (formed by curling fingers), which wards off evil. While "палец" itself isn't culturally loaded, expressions like "показать кукиш" (to show the fig, meaning to give the finger) highlight how hand parts are used in idiomatic expressions to convey defiance or humor.

Related Concepts:

• рука (hand)
• ладонь (palm)
• кисть (wrist)