Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gun'

English Word: gun

Key Russian Translations:

• пистолет [ˈpʲistəlʲɛt] - [Informal, Common for handheld firearms]
• ружьё [rʊˈʐʲjɵ] - [Formal, Typically for rifles or long-barreled weapons]
• пушка [ˈpuʂkə] - [Formal, Used for larger artillery or cannons]

Frequency: Medium - The word and its translations are commonly encountered in contexts like military, hunting, or media, but not in everyday casual conversation.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level can grasp basic vocabulary related to tools and weapons, though nuances in context may require further practice.

Pronunciation (Russian):

пистолет: [ˈpʲistəlʲɛt]

ружьё: [rʊˈʐʲjɵ]

пушка: [ˈpuʂkə]

Note on пистолет: The initial 'п' is pronounced with a strong aspiration; common variations in regional accents may soften the 'т' sound at the end.

Note on ружьё: The 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A handheld firearm or weapon

Translation(s) & Context:

• пистолет - Used in informal or everyday contexts, such as describing personal defense or in movies.
• ружьё - Applied in formal or military contexts, like hunting or historical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Он взял пистолет для самообороны. (He took the gun for self-defense.)

  English Translation: He took the gun for self-defense.

• В музее выставлено старое ружьё из XIX века. (In the museum, an old gun from the 19th century is displayed.)

  English Translation: In the museum, an old gun from the 19th century is displayed.

• Пушка была использована в битве. (The gun was used in the battle.)

  English Translation: The gun was used in the battle.

• Солдат чистил своё ружьё перед миссией. (The soldier was cleaning his gun before the mission.)

  English Translation: The soldier was cleaning his gun before the mission.

• Дети не должны касаться пистолета. (Children should not touch the gun.)

  English Translation: Children should not touch the gun. This example shows the word in a warning context.

Meaning 2: Metaphorical or slang use (e.g., in expressions of power or speed)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пистолет - In slang, as in "to shoot from the hip" for quick actions.
• ружьё - Less common metaphorically, but can imply precision in contexts like sports.

Usage Examples:

• Он стреляет из пистолета, как профессионал. (He handles the gun like a pro, metaphorically meaning he's quick in business.)

  English Translation: He handles the gun like a pro.

• Её ружьё в переговорах всегда выигрывает. (Her gun in negotiations always wins, implying a strong argument.)

  English Translation: Her gun in negotiations always wins.

• Пушка на сцене произвела фурор. (The gun on stage caused a sensation, slang for a big performance.)

  English Translation: The gun on stage caused a sensation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Most translations of "gun" in Russian are nouns, which inflect based on case, number, and gender. "Пистолет" is a masculine noun, "ружьё" is neuter, and "пушка" is feminine. They follow standard Russian declension patterns.

Note: These are regular inflections; no irregular forms for these words.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • револьвер (revolver; similar to пистолет but specific to revolvers)
  • огнестрельное оружие (firearm; more general term)
  • винтовка (rifle; overlaps with ружьё in hunting contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • нож (knife; a non-firearm weapon)
  • щит (shield; for defense rather than offense)

Related Phrases:

• Заряжать пистолет (To load the gun) - Refers to preparing a weapon for use, often in literal or figurative contexts like gearing up for a task.
• Стрелять из ружья (To shoot from the gun) - Common in hunting or sports, implying aimed action.
• Пушка в действии (Gun in action) - An idiomatic phrase for something powerful or explosive, like a major event.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, the choice between translations like "пистолет" and "ружьё" depends on the specific type of gun; "пистолет" is for handguns, while "ружьё" suits rifles. Always consider the context, as these words carry formal connotations in legal or military discussions. English speakers should note that Russian nouns require case agreement, e.g., use genitive for possession. When multiple translations exist, select based on precision to avoid ambiguity.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "пистолет" interchangeably for all guns, even large ones. Correct: Specify "пушка" for artillery. Example of error: *Я видел пистолет в музее (meaning a cannon).* Correct: Я видел пушку в музее. Explanation: This confuses weapon types, leading to misunderstanding in historical or technical contexts.
• Error: Forgetting gender agreement in sentences. Correct: Ensure adjectives and verbs match the noun's gender. Example of error: *Это красивый пистолетка.* Correct: Это красивый пистолет. Explanation: "Пистолет" is masculine, so use masculine forms; this is a common mistake for learners from non-gendered languages.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "пушка" often evoke historical references to wars such as World War II, where artillery played a significant role. Firearms in general are associated with national defense and hunting traditions, but due to strict gun control laws in Russia, these terms are more commonly used in literature, films, or educational contexts rather than everyday life.

Related Concepts:

• патроны (ammunition)
• боеприпасы (munitions)
• вооружение (armament)