Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'foot'

English Word: foot

Key Russian Translations:

• нога [ˈnoɡə] - [Common, Informal; Refers to the body part]
• фут [fut] - [Formal, Technical; Refers to the unit of measurement]

Frequency: Medium (e.g., "нога" is frequently used in everyday conversation, while "фут" is more common in scientific or imperial measurement contexts)

Difficulty: A1 for "нога" (beginner level, as it's a basic noun); B1 for "фут" (intermediate, due to its specialized usage and potential need for context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

нога: [ˈnoɡə]

фут: [fut]

Note on нога: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'г' is pronounced as a voiced velar fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers used to 'g' as in "go". Variations in regional accents may soften this sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The lower extremity of the leg (body part)

Translation(s) & Context:

• нога - Used in everyday, informal contexts to refer to a human or animal foot, often in descriptions of movement or injury.

Usage Examples:

• Я сломал ногу во время прогулки в лесу.

  I broke my foot during a walk in the forest.

• Дети бегают босиком, чтобы закалить ноги.

  Children run barefoot to toughen their feet.

• Её ноги были покрыты грязью после дождя.

  Her feet were covered in mud after the rain.

• Врач осмотрел мою ногу после падения.

  The doctor examined my foot after the fall.

Meaning 2: A unit of linear measure equal to 12 inches (30.48 cm)

Translation(s) & Context:

• фут - Used in formal, technical, or historical contexts, especially in engineering, aviation, or when dealing with imperial measurements.

Usage Examples:

• Эта комната имеет длину 10 футов.

  This room is 10 feet long.

• В авиации высота часто измеряется в футах.

  In aviation, altitude is often measured in feet.

• Строители использовали футы для измерения фундамента.

  The builders used feet to measure the foundation.

• Один фут равен 30,48 сантиметрам в метрической системе.

  One foot is equal to 30.48 centimeters in the metric system.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "нога" (a feminine noun in Russian):

This word follows the standard first declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -a. It inflects based on case and number.

For "фут" (a masculine noun, often indeclinable in modern usage, especially as a borrowed term):

This word is typically invariant and does not change in most cases, reflecting its status as a loanword. In singular: фут; in plural: футы (though plural is rare).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for нога:
  • ступня (specifically the sole of the foot)
  • конечность (more general, meaning limb) - Often used in medical contexts for a more formal tone.
• Antonyms for нога:
  • рука (hand) - As an opposing limb.
• Synonyms for фут:
  • фут imperial (to specify the imperial unit)
• Antonyms for фут:
  • метр (meter, as the primary metric alternative)

Related Phrases:

• На ноге - On the foot (e.g., referring to something worn or attached, as in "браслет на ноге" - ankle bracelet)
• Поставить ногу - To put one's foot down (idiomatic, meaning to assert authority)
• В футе - In feet (measurement context, e.g., "высота в футе" - height in feet)
• Длина в футах - Length in feet (common in technical descriptions)

Usage Notes:

When translating "foot" to Russian, choose "нога" for anatomical or everyday references, as it directly corresponds to the body part and is versatile in casual speech. Use "фут" only in contexts involving measurements, especially when dealing with imperial systems, to maintain precision. Be mindful of Russian's grammatical gender: "нога" is feminine, affecting adjectives and verbs (e.g., "моя нога" - my foot). In formal writing, avoid mixing with metric units without conversion. For learners, "нога" is straightforward, but "фут" may require context to distinguish from English borrowings.

Common Errors:

• Using "нога" in measurement contexts: Incorrect: "Эта комната 5 нога длиной." Correct: "Эта комната 5 футов длиной." Explanation: "Нога" refers only to the body part, leading to confusion; always use "фут" for units.
• Ignoring case inflections: Incorrect: "Я имею боль в нога." Correct: "Я имею боль в ноге." Explanation: Russian nouns like "нога" must agree in case; here, genitive case is needed after prepositions like "в".
• Over-literal translation: Incorrect: Using "foot" directly as "фут" in body-related sentences. Correct: Use "нога" for anatomy. Explanation: English speakers might borrow "foot" incorrectly, but Russian requires the appropriate native term for clarity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "нога" (foot) often appears in folklore and proverbs, such as "Не суй нос (или ногу) куда не следует," meaning "Don't stick your nose (or foot) where it doesn't belong," emphasizing boundaries and propriety. For "фут," its use reflects historical ties to British and American influences, particularly in pre-metric Russia, highlighting the persistence of imperial measurements in certain fields like aviation or trade.

Related Concepts:

• голень (lower leg)
• километр (kilometer, for measurement contrasts)
• ступня (sole of the foot)
• империя (empire, in the context of imperial measurements)