Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'glass'

English Word: glass

Key Russian Translations:

• стекло [ˈstʲeklə] - [Formal, used for the material]
• стакан [stɐˈkan] - [Informal, used for a drinking glass or container]

Frequency: Medium for 'стекло' (commonly used in everyday and technical contexts), High for 'стакан' (very common in daily conversations about objects).

Difficulty: A1 for both translations (Beginner level, as they are basic nouns in Russian vocabulary).

Pronunciation (Russian):

стекло: [ˈstʲeklə]

Note on стекло: The stress is on the first syllable; the 'е' is pronounced as a soft 'ye' sound, which can be tricky for beginners.

Audio: []

стакан: [stɐˈkan]

Note on стакан: Stress is on the second syllable; the 'a' in the first syllable is reduced in fast speech, common in informal Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A hard, brittle substance, typically transparent or translucent (e.g., used for windows or bottles).

Translation(s) & Context:

• стекло - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as describing materials in construction or manufacturing.

Usage Examples:

• Окно сделано из стекла, которое пропускает свет.

  The window is made of glass that lets in light. (This example shows 'стекло' in a descriptive, everyday context.)

• В бутылке из стекла хранится вино.

  Wine is stored in a glass bottle. (Illustrates 'стекло' in a product-related context.)

• Стекло в автомобиле треснуло от удара.

  The glass in the car cracked from the impact. (Demonstrates use in a narrative or accidental scenario.)

• Мебель с элементами стекла выглядит современно.

  Furniture with glass elements looks modern. (Shows 'стекло' in a design or aesthetic context.)

Meaning 2: A drinking container made of glass or similar material (e.g., a cup or tumbler).

Translation(s) & Context:

• стакан - Used in informal, everyday contexts, such as mealtimes or casual conversations; can imply a reusable or disposable container.

Usage Examples:

• Пожалуйста, налейте воду в стакан.

  Please pour water into the glass. (This is a simple, polite request in a domestic setting.)

• На столе стоит пустой стакан из стекла.

  There is an empty glass on the table. (Shows 'стакан' in a descriptive scene.)

• Дети пьют молоко из пластикового стакана, а не из стеклянного.

  Children drink milk from a plastic glass, not a glass one. (Contrasts materials in a practical context.)

• В кафе подают кофе в высоком стакане.

  In the cafe, coffee is served in a tall glass. (Illustrates use in a service industry scenario.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'стекло' (neuter noun, 2nd declension):

This noun follows regular neuter declension patterns in Russian. It changes based on case and number.

For 'стакан' (masculine noun, 2nd declension):

This noun also follows regular masculine declension but has some variations in plural forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Для 'стекло': хрусталь (khrustal) - Used for high-quality, crystal glass; implies luxury.
  • Для 'стакан': кружка (kruzhka) - Similar for a mug, but more specific to handled containers.
• Antonyms:
  • Для 'стекло': пластик (plastic) - Refers to plastic materials as an alternative.
  • Для 'стакан': чашка (chashka) - A cup, often implying ceramic or non-glass material.

Related Phrases:

• Стеклянный стакан - A glass made of glass; used for describing transparent containers. (Context: Everyday objects.)
• Разбить стекло - To break glass; common in accident descriptions. (Context: Safety or mishaps.)
• Стакан воды - A glass of water; a basic phrase for requests or descriptions. (Context: Daily routines.)

Usage Notes:

Choose 'стекло' when referring to the material aspect of glass, as in scientific or construction contexts, which directly corresponds to the English 'glass' as a substance. Use 'стакан' for containers like drinking glasses, which is more informal and common in spoken Russian. Be aware of Russian's case system: always adjust the word ending based on its role in the sentence (e.g., genitive for possession). In formal writing, 'стекло' might appear in technical documents, while 'стакан' is prevalent in casual dialogue. If the context involves fragility or transparency, 'стекло' is preferable.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'стекло' and 'стакан': English learners often use 'стекло' when meaning a drinking container, saying something like "Я пью из стекло" instead of "Я пью из стакана". Correct usage: "Я пью из стакана" (I drink from the glass). Explanation: 'Стекло' refers to the material, not the object.
• Ignoring declensions: For example, saying "на стекло" instead of "на стекле" in prepositional case. Correct: "Книга на стекле" (The book is on the glass). Explanation: Proper case agreement is essential for grammatical accuracy in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'стекло' (glass) is often associated with fragility and beauty, as seen in traditional crafts like Murano-style glasswork or in literature symbolizing vulnerability. 'Стакан' is a staple in social settings, such as tea-drinking traditions, where sharing a glass of tea reflects hospitality and community bonds.

Related Concepts:

• бутылка (bottle)
• зеркало (mirror)
• пластик (plastic)