Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'grease'

English Word: grease

Key Russian Translations:

• смазка [ˈsmazkə] - [Noun, General, Singular]
• смазывать [smaˈzɨvatʲ] - [Verb, General, Imperfective]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly used in technical, mechanical, and everyday contexts, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary like "water." It appears frequently in discussions about maintenance or cooking.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and verb conjugations. For 'смазка', it's straightforward for learners at this level; for 'смазывать', verb aspects may pose a slight challenge.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

смазка: [ˈsmazkə]

Note on смазка: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'з' is pronounced as a voiced 'z'. Be mindful of the soft 'к' at the end, which can be tricky for English speakers.

смазывать: [smaˈzɨvatʲ]

Note on смазывать: Stress falls on the second syllable; the 'ы' sound is a central vowel not present in English, often approximated as 'i' in 'bit'. The verb ending '-ть' indicates infinitive form.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

As a noun: A thick, oily substance used for lubrication or a fatty residue.

Translation(s) & Context:

• смазка - Used in mechanical or industrial contexts, such as engine maintenance, or in cooking for fats; common in formal and technical language.

Usage Examples:

• Я нанёс смазку на шестерни двигателя, чтобы предотвратить трение.

  I applied grease to the engine gears to prevent friction.

• В кухне часто скапливается смазка от жареного мяса.

  Grease often builds up in the kitchen from fried meat.

• Механик проверил уровень смазки в автомобиле перед поездкой.

  The mechanic checked the grease level in the car before the trip.

• Смазка на инструментах помогает продлить их срок службы.

  Grease on tools helps extend their lifespan.

As a verb: To apply grease or make something slippery.

Translation(s) & Context:

• смазывать - Used for the action of applying lubricant; can be informal in everyday speech or formal in technical instructions; often paired with objects like machinery or food.

Usage Examples:

• Не забудьте смазывать цепь велосипеда для лучшей производительности.

  Don't forget to grease the bicycle chain for better performance.

• Она смазывает форму маслом перед выпечкой, чтобы тесто не прилипало.

  She greases the baking mold with oil so the dough doesn't stick.

• В мастерской мы смазываем все подвижные части для предотвращения коррозии.

  In the workshop, we grease all moving parts to prevent corrosion.

• Смазывайте дверные петли, если они скрипят.

  Grease the door hinges if they're squeaking.

• Он смазывает руки кремом после работы с грязью.

  He greases his hands with cream after working with dirt.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'смазка' (feminine noun, first declension), it follows standard Russian noun patterns with regular declensions based on case and number.

For 'смазывать' (imperfective verb, first conjugation), it has regular conjugations with aspectual pairs (perfective: смазать). Below is a partial conjugation table for present tense:

Note: This verb is regular, so it doesn't have irregularities, making it easier for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • масло (maslo) - More general for oil, often used interchangeably in cooking contexts; differs from смазка by being less viscous.
  • жир (zhir) - Refers to animal fat, suitable for culinary or biological contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • очищать (ochishchat') - To clean, opposite in the context of removing grease.
  • смывать (smыvat') - To wash away, particularly for greasy substances.

Related Phrases:

• смазочный материал - Lubricating material; used in technical contexts for oils and greases in machinery.
• смазка для двигателя - Engine grease; a common phrase in automotive maintenance.
• наносить смазку - To apply grease; implies the action in a procedural sense.

Usage Notes:

'Смазка' directly corresponds to the noun form of 'grease' in English, especially in mechanical contexts, while 'смазывать' matches the verb form. Be aware that Russian often requires specifying the aspect (imperfective for ongoing actions, as in смазывать). Use 'смазка' in formal or technical writing, but in everyday speech, it might be simplified. When choosing between translations, opt for 'смазка' for substances and 'смазывать' for actions; always consider the gender and case of nouns in sentences for grammatical accuracy.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'смазка' without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я взял смазка" instead of "Я взял смазку" (accusative case). Correct: Always decline based on sentence role; explanation: Russian nouns change endings to indicate case, which English lacks, so learners must memorize patterns.
• Mistake: Confusing the verb aspect, e.g., using 'смазать' (perfective) when 'смазывать' (imperfective) is needed for ongoing actions. Correct: Use 'смазывать' for repeated or continuous greasing; explanation: Aspect is crucial in Russian to convey completion, which can trip up English speakers used to a single verb form.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'смазка' is often associated with practical, hands-on maintenance in rural or industrial settings, reflecting the historical emphasis on self-reliance in machinery care during the Soviet era. For instance, in automotive culture, regular greasing is a symbol of resourcefulness, as seen in classic Russian literature and films depicting village life.

Related Concepts:

• масло
• жир
• смазка для оружия