Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'flank'

English Word: flank

Key Russian Translations:

• фланк [/flank/] - [Formal, Military context]
• обходить фланг [/ɐb.xoˈdʲitʲ flanʲk/] - [Informal, Action-oriented, Used in strategic or descriptive narratives]

Frequency: Medium (Common in military, historical, or anatomical discussions, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves basic noun and verb structures; for 'фланк' as a noun, it's A2 for beginners, but contextual usage may require B1)

Pronunciation (Russian):

фланк: /flank/ (The 'ф' is pronounced as a voiceless labiodental fricative, similar to 'f' in English; stress on the first syllable)

обходить фланг: /ɐb.xoˈdʲitʲ flanʲk/ (Note the soft sign 'ь' in 'дʲитʲ', which palatalizes the preceding consonant; the verb 'обходить' has a stress on the second syllable)

Note on фланк: Be cautious with the final 'к' sound, which can vary slightly in rapid speech; it's a hard consonant.

Note on обходить фланг: This phrase often involves verb conjugation, so the pronunciation changes with tense; infinitive form shown here.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Military or Strategic Side (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• фланк - Used in formal military contexts to describe the side of an army or position, often in strategic planning or historical analysis.

Usage Examples:

• Войска атаковали фланк противника, чтобы окружить его.

  The troops attacked the enemy's flank to surround them. (This example shows 'фланк' in a tactical military scenario, demonstrating noun usage in a simple sentence.)

• Фланк нашей обороны был ослаблен из-за нехватки солдат.

  The flank of our defense was weakened due to a lack of soldiers. (Here, 'фланк' appears in a defensive context, illustrating its role in describing vulnerability.)

• В исторических битвах фланк часто становился ключевой целью.

  In historical battles, the flank often became the key target. (This sentence places 'фланк' in a broader historical narrative, showing its abstract application.)

• Командир укрепил фланк перед наступлением.

  The commander strengthened the flank before the advance. (Demonstrates 'фланк' in a preparatory context, varying sentence structure.)

To Attack or Approach from the Side (Verb form, as in phrase)

Translation(s) & Context:

• обходить фланг - Used in informal or narrative contexts to describe maneuvering around an enemy's side, often in strategy games or discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Чтобы выиграть, нам нужно обходить фланг соперника в игре.

  To win, we need to flank the opponent's side in the game. (This example adapts 'flank' to a modern gaming context, showing verbal phrase in action.)

• В тактике войны обходить фланг - это классический маневр.

  In war tactics, flanking the enemy is a classic maneuver. (Illustrates 'обходить фланг' in a historical or educational setting, with varied syntax.)

• Игроки решили обходить фланг, чтобы застать врага врасплох.

  The players decided to flank the enemy to catch them off guard. (Shows the phrase in a surprise attack scenario, emphasizing strategic intent.)

• Обходить фланг в уличных боях требует быстрой реакции.

  Flanking in street fights requires quick reactions. (Applies the concept to urban warfare, demonstrating flexibility in usage.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'фланк' (a masculine noun, second declension):

For 'обходить' (a verb, imperfective aspect, from the root 'ходить'):

It follows regular conjugation patterns. Example in present tense: обхожу (I flank), обходишь (you flank), etc. Note: The full phrase 'обходить фланг' doesn't inflect as a single unit; 'фланг' inflects as above, while 'обходить' conjugates based on tense and subject.

Unchanged forms: In some fixed phrases, 'фланк' may remain invariant in informal use, but standard Russian requires declension.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • бок (side, but more general; used for non-military contexts)
  • край (edge, implying a boundary; subtle difference in implying vulnerability)
• Antonyms:
  • фронт (front, directly opposite in military strategy)
  • тыл (rear, used when contrasting defensive positions)

Related Phrases:

• Атаковать фланг - To attack the flank (Used in offensive strategies; implies a surprise element in battle.)
• Защищать фланг - To defend the flank (Common in defensive tactics; highlights protective measures.)
• Обходной маневр фланга - Flanking maneuver (A fixed phrase for evasive actions in warfare.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'фланк' directly corresponds to the English 'flank' in military contexts, but it's more formal and less common in everyday speech. For the verb form like 'to flank', phrases such as 'обходить фланг' are preferred over a single word. Choose 'фланк' for static descriptions and 'обходить фланг' for actions. Be mindful of grammatical gender: as a masculine noun, it affects agreement in adjectives and verbs. In non-military uses (e.g., anatomy), 'бок' might be a better fit to avoid confusion.

• Contextual tip: In historical or strategic writing, pair with verbs like 'атаковать' for natural flow.
• Grammar note: Always decline 'фланк' according to case, as Russian requires this for accuracy.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse 'фланк' by treating it as invariable, e.g., saying "атаковать фланк" incorrectly in genitive contexts. Incorrect: "Атаковать фланк противника" without proper case (should be accusative). Correct: "Атаковать фланк противника" is fine here, but in phrases like "защита фланка" (genitive), ensure proper declension. Another error is confusing it with 'бок', leading to: Incorrect: "Фланк тела" (use 'бок' for body parts). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case and number, so practice declensions to avoid these pitfalls.

Cultural Notes:

The term 'фланк' carries historical weight in Russian culture, stemming from military traditions like those in the Napoleonic Wars or World War II. In Russian literature and films, such as Tolstoy's "War and Peace," flanking maneuvers symbolize strategic ingenuity, reflecting Russia's emphasis on defense and endurance in warfare.

Related Concepts:

• фронт
• тыл
• маневр