Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gudgeon'

English Word: gudgeon

Key Russian Translations:

• пескарь /pʲɪˈskarʲ/ - [Informal, used primarily for the fish species; can be plural in contexts like fishing]
• поршневой палец /ˈporʂnʲɪvəj ˈpalʲɪts/ - [Technical, Formal, used in mechanical or engineering contexts; singular form common in descriptions]

Frequency: Medium - The word 'пескарь' is moderately common in everyday language related to nature and fishing, while 'поршневой палец' is more specialized in technical fields.

Difficulty: B1 for 'пескарь' (Intermediate, as it involves basic noun declensions); B2 for 'поршневой палец' (Upper-Intermediate, due to compound word structure and technical vocabulary).

Pronunciation (Russian):

пескарь: /pʲɪˈskarʲ/ - The stress is on the second syllable; note the palatalized 'р' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

поршневой палец: /ˈporʂnʲɪvəj ˈpalʲɪts/ - Stress on the first syllable of each word; pay attention to the rolled 'р' and the soft 'нʲ'.

Note on пескарь: This word has regional variations in pronunciation, especially in northern Russian dialects where the 'р' might be less rolled.

Note on поршневой палец: The compound structure means the pronunciation flows quickly; practice the vowel reductions in unstressed syllables.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A small freshwater fish (common in zoology or fishing contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• 'пескарь' - Used in informal or educational settings to describe the fish, often in discussions about aquatic life or angling.

Usage Examples:

• В реке мы поймали несколько пескарей. (In the river, we caught several gudgeons.)

  Translation: In the river, we caught several gudgeons.

• Пескарь — это маленькая рыба, которая обитает в пресных водах. (The gudgeon is a small fish that inhabits freshwater bodies.)

  Translation: The gudgeon is a small fish that inhabits freshwater bodies. This example shows the noun in a descriptive, singular context.

• Летом рыбаки часто ловят пескарей для наживки. (In summer, fishermen often catch gudgeons for bait.)

  Translation: In summer, fishermen often catch gudgeons for bait. Here, it demonstrates plural usage in a practical scenario.

• Мой дедушка знает, как приготовить пескаря на гриле. (My grandfather knows how to grill gudgeon.)

  Translation: My grandfather knows how to grill gudgeon. This illustrates informal, cultural usage in food preparation.

• В аквариуме пескарь плавает у дна. (In the aquarium, the gudgeon swims near the bottom.)

  Translation: In the aquarium, the gudgeon swims near the bottom. This shows the word in a habitat description.

Meaning 2: A mechanical pin or pivot (e.g., in engines or machinery)

Translation(s) & Context:

• 'поршневой палец' - Used in formal, technical contexts like automotive repair or engineering blueprints.

Usage Examples:

• В двигателе поршневой палец соединяет поршень с шатуном. (In the engine, the gudgeon pin connects the piston to the connecting rod.)

  Translation: In the engine, the gudgeon pin connects the piston to the connecting rod. This example highlights technical assembly.

• Механик заменил изношенный поршневой палец в автомобиле. (The mechanic replaced the worn gudgeon pin in the car.)

  Translation: The mechanic replaced the worn gudgeon pin in the car. Here, it shows usage in maintenance scenarios.

• Поршневой палец должен быть сделан из прочного металла. (The gudgeon pin must be made of durable metal.)

  Translation: The gudgeon pin must be made of durable metal. This demonstrates descriptive, singular use in material discussions.

• В инструкции указано, как установить поршневой палец правильно. (The manual explains how to install the gudgeon pin correctly.)

  Translation: The manual explains how to install the gudgeon pin correctly. This shows procedural context.

• Из-за дефекта поршневого пальца двигатель сломался. (Due to a defect in the gudgeon pin, the engine broke down.)

  Translation: Due to a defect in the gudgeon pin, the engine broke down. This illustrates cause-and-effect in technical narratives.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'пескарь' (a masculine noun), it follows standard Russian third-declension patterns with variations by case and number:

For 'поршневой палец' (a masculine noun with a compound structure), it inflects similarly but is less flexible in everyday use; primary changes occur in 'палец' part: e.g., Genitive: поршневого пальца. This word is relatively stable and doesn't vary irregularly.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for пескарь: гольян (/ˈgolʲjan/) - Often used interchangeably for small fish; ерш (/jerʂ/) - Similar in size but with spines.
• Synonyms for поршневой палец: шатунный палец (/ʂɐˈtunʲnɨj ˈpalʲɪts/) - Exact mechanical equivalent; ось (/osʲ/) - More general for pivots, with a broader application in engineering.
• Antonyms: For пескарь: крупная рыба (/kroopnaja ˈrɨba/) - Meaning 'large fish', contrasting size; For поршневой палец: неподвижный элемент (/nɐˈpodʲvɪʐnɨj ɪlʲɪˈmʲɛnt/) - Meaning 'stationary component', contrasting mobility.

Related Phrases:

• Пескарь в реке (Peskar' v reke) - Meaning: Gudgeon in the river; a common phrase in fishing or environmental discussions.
• Ловить пескарей (Lovit' peskarej) - Meaning: To catch gudgeons; used in recreational or survival contexts.
• Поршневой палец в двигателе (Porshnevoy palets v dvigatele) - Meaning: Gudgeon pin in the engine; a technical phrase for automotive repairs.
• Заменить поршневой палец (Zaminit' porshnevoy palets) - Meaning: To replace the gudgeon pin; indicates maintenance procedures.

Usage Notes:

'Пескарь' directly corresponds to the fish meaning of 'gudgeon' and is best used in informal or natural settings, but avoid it in formal scientific writing where Latin names might be preferred. 'Поршневой палец' aligns with the mechanical sense and is restricted to technical domains; English learners should note that Russian compound words like this often require precise word order. When choosing between translations, opt for 'пескарь' in everyday contexts and 'поршневой палец' for engineering. Grammatically, both nouns decline regularly, so pay attention to case agreements in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'пескарь' in a mechanical context, e.g., saying "пескарь в двигателе" instead of "поршневой палец в двигателе". Correct: Stick to domain-specific terms to avoid confusion; this mixes biological and technical meanings.
• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., saying "Я видел пескарь" (wrong accusative) instead of "Я видел пескаря". Correct: Use "пескаря" for accusative singular; English speakers often overlook case endings, leading to grammatical errors.
• Error: Pronouncing the palatalized sounds incorrectly, e.g., saying /pɪˈskari/ without the soft 'р'. Correct: Practice with native audio; this can make the word sound unnatural to Russian ears.

Cultural Notes:

'Пескарь' holds cultural significance in Russian folklore and literature, often symbolizing humble, everyday life in rural or riverine settings, as seen in stories by authors like Chekhov. In contrast, 'поршневой палец' reflects Russia's industrial heritage, particularly in automotive and manufacturing sectors, underscoring the country's emphasis on engineering prowess during the Soviet era.

Related Concepts:

• щука (shchuka) - Pike fish, related in aquatic themes.
• поршень (porshen') - Piston, linked to mechanical components.
• шатун (shatun) - Connecting rod, associated with engine parts.
• рыболовство (rybolovstvo) - Fishing, broader concept for 'пескарь'.