Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fluke'

English Word: fluke

Key Russian Translations:

• случайность [slʊˈt͡ɕajnəsʲtʲ] - [Informal, used for unexpected events]
• удача [ʊˈdat͡ɕə] - [Formal, often implying broader luck]
• повезуха [pɐvʲɪˈzuxə] - [Informal, colloquial for a stroke of luck]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and contextual nuances, per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

случайность: [slʊˈt͡ɕajnəsʲtʲ]

удача: [ʊˈdat͡ɕə]

повезуха: [pɐvʲɪˈzuxə]

Note on случайность: The stress falls on the third syllable; be mindful of the soft sign (ʲ) which affects the pronunciation in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A lucky accident or stroke of luck

Translation(s) & Context:

• случайность - Used in informal contexts for an unexpected positive outcome, such as winning by chance.
• удача - Applied in formal or semi-formal settings to describe general good fortune, often with a positive connotation.
• повезуха - Employed in casual, everyday speech for whimsical or light-hearted lucky events.

Usage Examples:

• Это была чистая случайность, что я выиграл лотерею. (This was a pure fluke that I won the lottery.)

  This was a pure fluke that I won the lottery.

• Его успех в экзамене — это удача, а не результат усердия. (His success in the exam was a fluke, not the result of hard work.)

  His success in the exam was a fluke, not the result of hard work.

• Повезуха помогла нам найти билеты на концерт в последний момент. (Fluke helped us find tickets to the concert at the last minute.)

  Fluke helped us find tickets to the concert at the last minute.

• Не стоит полагаться на случайность в таких важных делах. (Don't rely on a fluke for such important matters.)

  Don't rely on a fluke for such important matters.

Meaning 2: A parasitic worm (biological context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• трематода - Used in scientific or medical contexts for the specific type of flatworm.

Usage Examples:

• В рыбе иногда встречаются трематоды, известные как флюки. (Fish sometimes contain flukes, known as trematodes.)

  Fish sometimes contain flukes, known as trematodes.

• Учёные изучают жизненный цикл трематод в пресных водах. (Scientists study the life cycle of flukes in freshwater.)

  Scientists study the life cycle of flukes in freshwater.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "случайность" (a feminine noun in the third declension), it follows standard Russian noun patterns with variations by case and number:

"Удача" (also feminine) has similar inflections but is more irregular in colloquial use. "Повезуха" is invariant in most contexts and does not change form significantly. For "трематода" (feminine), it follows the same pattern as "случайность".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • несчастье (for a negative twist, though not exact)
  • фортуна (fortuna, implying broader luck)
• Antonyms:
  • неудача (failure)
  • провал (failure in a more dramatic sense)

Note: "Фортуна" is often used in literary contexts, while "несчастье" highlights the contrast in outcomes.

Related Phrases:

• Чистая случайность - (Pure fluke; used to emphasize an element of chance.)
• Случайный успех - (Accidental success; common in motivational contexts.)
• Повезло по чистой удаче - (Got lucky by pure fluke; informal expression for unexpected wins.)

Usage Notes:

"Fluke" translates variably in Russian based on context: "случайность" is ideal for informal, everyday situations, while "удача" suits more formal or philosophical discussions. Be cautious with register—use "повезуха" in casual conversations to avoid sounding overly serious. Grammatically, these nouns require agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying words. For learners, choose "случайность" as the default for 'fluke' in lucky accident scenarios, as it directly mirrors the English nuance without overgeneralizing to broader luck concepts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "случайность" with "случай" (which means 'case' or 'incident'). Correct: Use "случайность" for the idea of luck, as in "Это была случайность" instead of "Это был случай". Explanation: "Случай" lacks the connotation of fortune, leading to miscommunication.

• Error: Overusing "удача" in informal settings. Correct: Opt for "повезуха" in casual talk, e.g., "Это повезуха!" instead of "Это удача!". Explanation: "Удача" can sound too formal or generic, making speech feel stilted.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "случайность" often tie into fatalism or superstition, as seen in folklore where luck is personified (e.g., in stories involving fate or chance encounters). This reflects a broader Slavic tradition of attributing life events to destiny, making "fluke" a reminder of humility in the face of uncertainty.

Related Concepts:

• фортуна
• судьба
• риск