Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fold'

English Word: fold

Key Russian Translations:

• сложить [slɐˈʐɨtʲ] - [Informal, Verb]
• складка [ˈskladkə] - [Formal, Noun]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday contexts like clothing or paper, but not as frequent as basic verbs).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations for 'сложить' and noun declensions for 'складка', based on CEFR standards).

Pronunciation (Russian):

сложить: [slɐˈʐɨtʲ]

складка: [ˈskladkə]

Note on сложить: The 'ж' sound is a soft palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like the 's' in 'measure'. Variations may occur in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

As a verb: To bend something so that part of it lies on the other part.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сложить - Used in informal or everyday situations, such as folding clothes or paper.

Usage Examples:

• Я сложил рубашку перед тем, как уложить в сумку.

  I folded the shirt before packing it in the bag.

• Она аккуратно сложила письмо и положила в конверт.

  She carefully folded the letter and put it in the envelope.

• Дети любят складывать бумагу в разные фигуры.

  Children love folding paper into different shapes.

• Пожалуйста, сложите полотенца после стирки.

  Please fold the towels after washing.

As a noun: A line or mark where something has been folded.

Translation(s) & Context:

• складка - Used in more formal or descriptive contexts, such as in clothing, geography, or anatomy.

Usage Examples:

• На этой рубашке есть заметная складка от утюга.

  There's a noticeable fold on this shirt from the iron.

• Горы имеют глубокие складки, образованные эрозией.

  Mountains have deep folds formed by erosion.

• Складка на коже лица может указывать на возраст.

  A fold in the skin on the face can indicate age.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'сложить' (verb, perfective aspect), it follows the standard conjugation pattern for Russian verbs. It is a first conjugation verb and changes based on tense, person, and number. Below is a basic conjugation table for the present tense (though 'сложить' is often used in perfective forms):

For 'складка' (noun, feminine, first declension), it declines regularly as follows:

Note: These words do not have irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • свернуть (to roll up; similar to сложить but implies a tighter fold)
  • загнуть (to bend or tuck; used for edges)
• Antonyms:
  • развернуть (to unfold)
  • распрямить (to straighten out)

Related Phrases:

• Сложить руки (To fold one's hands) - A phrase meaning to wait passively or do nothing.
• Складка на ткани (Fold in fabric) - Refers to a crease in clothing, often in tailoring contexts.
• Горная складка (Mountain fold) - Used in geology to describe geological formations.

Usage Notes:

'Сложить' is the most direct translation for the verb 'fold' in casual contexts, but it can imply a complete folding action. In more formal or technical settings, 'свернуть' might be preferred for rolling or folding tightly. 'Складка' as a noun corresponds well to physical folds but doesn't translate idioms directly. Be mindful of aspect in verbs: 'сложить' is perfective, so it's used for completed actions. English learners should note that Russian verbs often require prepositions that aren't directly equivalent, e.g., 'сложить в' for folding into something.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'сложить' interchangeably with 'свернуть' without considering context. For example, learners might say "Я свернул рубашку" when "сложить" is more appropriate for simple folding.

  Correct: Я сложил рубашку. (I folded the shirt.)

  Explanation: 'Свернуть' implies a spiral or tight roll, often for maps or cables, while 'сложить' is for general folding.

• Error: Forgetting to decline 'складка' in sentences, e.g., saying "в складка" instead of "в складке".

  Correct: в складке (in the fold).

  Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, so always check the sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like 'сложить руки' (to fold one's hands) often carry a connotation of resignation or idleness, reflecting historical attitudes toward patience and endurance in challenging times, such as during the Soviet era.

Related Concepts:

• origami (оригами) - The art of paper folding.
• геологическая складка (geological fold)
• складывать одежду (folding clothes)