Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'foothold'

English Word: foothold

Key Russian Translations:

• плацдарм [plɐsˈt͡sdarm] - [Formal, Military context; used for a secure position or bridgehead in strategic scenarios]
• опора [ɐˈporə] - [General use; informal in everyday contexts, such as physical support]

Frequency: Medium - The term is commonly encountered in military, business, or metaphorical discussions but not in daily casual conversation.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Requires understanding of context-specific vocabulary; for "плацдарм", it may be more challenging due to its specialized military connotations, while "опора" is straightforward for learners at this level.

Pronunciation (Russian):

плацдарм: [plɐsˈt͡sdarm]

опора: [ɐˈporə]

Note on плацдарм: The stress is on the second syllable; be cautious with the 'ц' sound, which is a voiceless alveolar affricate, often tricky for English speakers.

Note on опора: Pronounce the 'о' as a mid-back rounded vowel; this word has a soft 'р' in some regional variants.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A secure position or base, often in a military or strategic context

Translation(s) & Context:

• плацдарм - Used in formal or military discussions to describe a foothold as a captured area for further advance.

Usage Examples:

• Войска удерживали плацдарм на вражеской территории, чтобы обеспечить дальнейшее продвижение.

  The troops held the foothold on enemy territory to ensure further advancement.

• Этот плацдарм стал ключевым в операции по захвату города.

  This foothold became key in the operation to capture the city.

• Без прочного плацдарма любая атака рискует провалиться.

  Without a solid foothold, any attack risks failure.

• Армия установила плацдарм на холме для лучшего обзора.

  The army established a foothold on the hill for better visibility.

Meaning 2: A point of support or foundation, in a literal or metaphorical sense

Translation(s) & Context:

• опора - Applied in everyday or metaphorical contexts, such as physical support or a starting point in business.

Usage Examples:

• Эта скала послужила опорой для альпиниста, ищущего надежный foothold.

  This rock served as a support for the climber seeking a reliable foothold.

• Инвестиция в стартап стала опорой для компании, чтобы получить foothold на рынке.

  The investment in the startup became a foundation for the company to gain a foothold in the market.

• Без сильной опоры проект не сможет развиться в полноценный бизнес.

  Without a strong foundation, the project won't be able to develop into a full-fledged business.

• Дружба часто выступает опорой в трудные моменты жизни.

  Friendship often acts as a support in difficult moments of life.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "плацдарм" and "опора" are masculine nouns in Russian, which undergo declension based on case, number, and gender agreements.

For "плацдарм" (3rd declension, masculine):

For "опора" (1st declension, feminine):

Note: These nouns follow regular declension patterns, but "плацдарм" may have variations in military jargon.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • плацдарм: оплот (stronghold; more emphatic in defensive contexts)
  • опора: поддержка (support; used for emotional or physical backing, with a broader connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • плацдарм: отступление (retreat; implies loss of position)
  • опора: слабость (weakness; indicates lack of stability)

Related Phrases:

• Захватить плацдарм - To capture a foothold; used in military operations to mean securing a base.
• Установить опору - To establish support; refers to creating a foundation, e.g., in construction or business.
• Потерять опору - To lose one's footing; a metaphorical phrase for losing stability in life or projects.

Usage Notes:

"Плацдарм" directly corresponds to the military sense of "foothold" and is rarely used outside formal or strategic contexts, whereas "опора" is more versatile for general support. English speakers should note that Russian nouns require case agreement, so "foothold" might change based on sentence structure. For example, choose "плацдарм" in military discussions and "опора" for everyday metaphors. Be mindful of the formal tone of "плацдарм" to avoid sounding overly dramatic in casual speech.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "плацдарм" in non-military contexts, e.g., saying "плацдарм в бизнесе" instead of "опора в бизнесе".
  Correct: "Опора в бизнесе" means "foothold in business". Explanation: "Плацдарм" is too specific and can confuse listeners if applied metaphorically.
• Mistake: Incorrect declension, e.g., using nominative "плацдарм" in genitive contexts like "на плацдарм" instead of "на плацдарме".
  Correct: "На плацдарме" (on the foothold). Explanation: Proper case usage is essential in Russian to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

"Плацдарм" carries historical weight in Russian culture, often linked to World War II narratives where it symbolized critical advances in battles like Stalingrad. This reflects Russia's emphasis on resilience and strategic endurance in military history, helping English learners appreciate the emotional depth beyond literal translation.

Related Concepts:

• укрепление (fortification)
• базис (basis)
• позиция (position)