Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gimcrack'

English Word: gimcrack

Key Russian Translations:

• безделушка [bɪz.dʲɪ.'luʂ.kə] - [Informal; used for small, cheap trinkets]
• хлам [xlam] - [Informal; implies something worthless or junk-like]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in descriptive or literary contexts.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2; learners need to understand nuances of informal vocabulary and basic noun inflections.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

безделушка: [bɪz.dʲɪ.'luʂ.kə]

Note on безделушка: The stress falls on the third syllable ('luʂ'), and the 'ш' sound is a soft, palatalized 'sh'. Pronunciation can vary slightly in different Russian dialects.

хлам: [xlam]

Note on хлам: The initial 'х' is a guttural sound, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish 'loch'. It's straightforward but may be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A cheap, showy, and poorly made object

Translation(s) & Context:

• безделушка - Used in informal, everyday contexts to describe a decorative but useless item, such as a souvenir or toy.
• хлам - Applied in casual or negative contexts, often implying something that's not only cheap but also discarded or of no value.

Usage Examples:

• Эта безделушка с яркими цветами выглядит мило, но сломалась через неделю.

  This gimcrack with bright colors looks cute but broke after a week.

• Не покупай этот хлам на рынке; он не стоит своих денег.

  Don't buy this gimcrack at the market; it's not worth its price.

• В старом доме мы нашли кучу безделушек, которые никто не использует.

  In the old house, we found a pile of gimcracks that no one uses.

• Её коллекция хлама включает старые гаджеты и сломанные украшения.

  Her collection of gimcracks includes old gadgets and broken ornaments.

• Безделушка на полке — это всего лишь дешевая подделка под антиквариат.

  The gimcrack on the shelf is just a cheap imitation of an antique.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "безделушка" and "хлам" are nouns. "Безделушка" is a feminine noun (3rd declension), while "хлам" is masculine and typically indeclinable in modern usage. Below is a table outlining key inflections for "безделушка" as it shows regular patterns.

For "хлам", it remains unchanged in most cases (e.g., хлам, хlama, etc.), making it easier for learners as it doesn't inflect regularly.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: рухлядь (ruxlyad' - implies old, worn-out items; often used for larger junk); пустяковая вещь (pustyakavaya veshch' - emphasizes triviality)
• Antonyms: ценная вещь (tsennaya veshch' - valuable item); антиквариат (antikvariat - antique)

Related Phrases:

• Полезная безделушка - A useful gimcrack (ironic phrase, often used to describe something that's supposedly practical but ends up being frivolous; implies contradiction in value).
• Собрать хлам - To collect gimcrack (refers to gathering useless items, common in contexts like hoarding or flea markets).
• Безделушка на полке - Gimcrack on the shelf (a phrase for decorative but non-functional objects in home settings).

Usage Notes:

"Безделушка" and "хлам" both translate to "gimcrack" but with subtle differences: "безделушка" is more neutral and often affectionate, while "хлам" carries a negative connotation. Use "безделушка" in informal, everyday conversations about small items, but avoid it in formal writing. "Хлам" is best for contexts involving waste or low quality. English speakers should note that Russian nouns require gender agreement in adjectives and verbs, e.g., "эта безделушка" (feminine). When choosing between translations, opt for "безделушка" if the item has some aesthetic appeal, and "хлам" if it's purely derogatory.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "безделушка" in formal contexts where it sounds too casual. Correct: In business or academic settings, say "дешевая подделка" instead. Example of error: *Эта безделушка в музее* (This gimcrack in the museum). Correct: Эта дешевая вещица в музее (This cheap trinket in the museum). Explanation: "Безделушка" implies informality and might undervalue the item.

• Error: Confusing inflections, e.g., using the wrong case for "безделушка". Correct: In genitive, it should be "безделушки", not "безделушка". Example of error: *Я купил безделушка* (I bought gimcrack). Correct: Я купил безделушку (accusative form). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "безделушка" often evoke flea markets or "babushka's attic" scenarios, where inexpensive trinkets hold sentimental value despite their poor quality. This reflects a broader cultural appreciation for resourcefulness in times of scarcity, such as during the Soviet era, when such items were common in daily life.

Related Concepts:

• сувенир (souvenir)
• подделка (imitation or fake)
• уцененный товар (discounted goods)