Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'heel'

English Word: heel

Key Russian Translations:

• пятка [ˈpʲatkə] - [Informal, commonly used for the anatomical heel of the foot]
• каблук [kɐˈbluk] - [Formal, specifically for the heel of a shoe or boot]

Frequency: Medium (The word 'пятка' is frequently used in everyday conversations about health or anatomy, while 'каблук' appears in contexts like fashion or descriptions, but neither is among the most common Russian words.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate for 'пятка' due to basic noun inflections; B2 for 'каблук' as it involves contextual nuances in fashion-related vocabulary, per CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пятка: [ˈpʲatkə]

Note on пятка: The initial 'п' is a voiceless bilabial plosive, and the 'я' sound is a palatalized vowel, which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonant cluster. Stress is on the first syllable.

каблук: [kɐˈbluk]

Note on каблук: Pronounce with a stressed second syllable; the 'к' at the end is unaspirated, common in Russian. Variations in speed may affect vowel reduction.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The back part of the human foot

Translation(s) & Context:

• пятка - Used in medical, everyday, or informal contexts when referring to the heel in anatomy or injury discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Он поранил пятку во время пробежки.

  He injured his heel during the run.

• Пятка болит после долгой ходьбы.

  The heel hurts after a long walk.

• Врач осмотрел мою пятку и прописал лечение.

  The doctor examined my heel and prescribed treatment.

• Она массирует пятку, чтобы облегчить боль.

  She is massaging the heel to relieve the pain.

• Пятка ребенка еще не сформировалась полностью.

  The child's heel is not fully formed yet.

Meaning 2: The raised part at the back of a shoe

Translation(s) & Context:

• каблук - Typically used in fashion, shopping, or descriptive contexts for footwear.

Usage Examples:

• Эта туфля имеет высокий каблук.

  This shoe has a high heel.

• Она сломала каблук на вечеринке.

  She broke the heel at the party.

• Каблук туфель должен быть устойчивым.

  The heel of the shoes should be stable.

• Модные ботинки с низким каблуком в тренде.

  Fashion boots with a low heel are in trend.

• Выберите туфли без каблука для комфорта.

  Choose shoes without a heel for comfort.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'пятка' and 'каблук' are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow the standard feminine declension patterns. Russian nouns inflect for case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining the key inflections for each:

Note: These are regular inflections for feminine nouns. 'пятка' and 'каблук' do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for пятка: задник (zadnik) - Less common, used metaphorically for the back part; пята (pyata) - Informal variant in some dialects.
• Synonyms for каблук: подъем (pod"yem) - Used in specific footwear contexts, implying elevation.
• Antonyms for пятка: (None directly, as it's anatomical; conceptually, perhaps передняя часть стопы - front part of the foot).
• Antonyms for каблук: плоская подошва (ploskaya podoshva) - Flat sole, implying no elevation.

Related Phrases:

• Боль в пятке - Pain in the heel (Common in medical contexts, referring to conditions like plantar fasciitis).
• Высокий каблук - High heel (Used in fashion; implies elegance but potential discomfort).
• Сломать каблук - To break the heel (Idiomatic for a shoe malfunction, often in storytelling).

Usage Notes:

Choose 'пятка' for anatomical references, as it directly corresponds to the English 'heel' in body parts and is neutral in formality. 'Каблук' is more specific to objects like shoes and should be used in contexts involving fashion or daily items. Be mindful of Russian's case system; for example, use the genitive case (e.g., боли в пятке) when indicating possession or relation. English speakers often confuse these with English idioms like 'Achilles' heel,' which translates to 'ахиллесова пята' in Russian, but that's a separate phrase.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'пятка' for shoe heels. Correct: This mixes meanings; use 'каблук' instead. Example of error: *Я сломал пятку на туфле* (Wrong). Correct: Я сломал каблук на туфле. Explanation: 'Пятка' is strictly anatomical, leading to confusion in object descriptions.

• Error: Forgetting inflections in sentences. Correct: Always adjust for case, e.g., don't say *бежать на пятка* (Wrong); say *бежать на пятке* (genitive). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English lacks, so learners must practice declensions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'каблук' often appears in discussions of women's fashion, symbolizing elegance or femininity in literature and media, such as in classic novels where high heels represent social status. 'Пятка' might reference folklore, like the Achilles heel story, adapted as 'ахиллесова пята,' emphasizing vulnerability in Russian proverbs.

Related Concepts:

• стопа (stopa) - Foot
• подошва (podoshva) - Sole
• ахиллесова пята (akhilessova pyata) - Achilles' heel (metaphorical weakness)