Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'icicle'

English Word: icicle

Key Russian Translations:

• сосулька (/sɐˈsulʲkə/) - [Common, Informal; Refers to a hanging icicle in everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly used in Russian-speaking regions during winter, but not in daily conversation year-round; it's more frequent in literature or weather-related discussions.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level should recognize it as a basic noun, but understanding its inflections requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сосулька: /sɐˈsulʲkə/

Note on сосулька: The stress falls on the second syllable ('sul'), and the 'л' is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft 'l' sound, similar to the 'l' in "million".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A frozen spike of ice hanging from a surface, such as a roof or branch.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сосулька - Used in informal, everyday contexts to describe a hanging icicle, often in winter weather discussions or safety warnings.

Usage Examples:

• На крыше дома висит большая сосулька, и она может упасть в любой момент.

  On the roof of the house, a large icicle is hanging, and it could fall at any moment.

• Дети осторожно обходили сосульки, свисающие с веток деревьев после снегопада.

  The children carefully avoided the icicles hanging from the tree branches after the snowfall.

• В сибирских регионах сосульки часто образуются на окнах из-за сильных морозов.

  In Siberian regions, icicles often form on windows due to the severe frosts.

• Сосулька, которую мы видели вчера, была такой длинной, что напоминала хрустальный кинжал.

  The icicle we saw yesterday was so long that it resembled a crystal dagger.

• После таяния снега сосульки на улицах превращаются в лужи, делая тротуары скользкими.

  After the snow melts, icicles on the streets turn into puddles, making the sidewalks slippery.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

сосулька is a feminine noun (3rd declension in Russian). It follows regular noun declension patterns, changing based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declensions are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • льдинка (l'dinka) - A smaller or more general term for a piece of ice, often used interchangeably but implies something less elongated.
  • хрустальная игла (khrustal'naya igla) - Poetic synonym, used in literary contexts for emphasis on beauty or fragility.
• Antonyms:
  • None directly applicable, as "icicle" is a specific natural phenomenon. However, related opposites might include "тепло" (teplo, meaning warmth), which contrasts the concept of ice.

Related Phrases:

• Опасные сосульки (Opasnye sosulki) - Dangerous icicles; Refers to icicles that pose a risk of falling and causing injury.
• Сосульки на крыше (Sosulki na kryshe) - Icicles on the roof; A common phrase used in weather or safety discussions.
• Таять сосульки (Tayat' sosulki) - Icicles melting; Describes the process during warmer weather, often in seasonal contexts.

Usage Notes:

сосулька directly corresponds to "icicle" in English, emphasizing a hanging formation of ice. It is most commonly used in informal or descriptive contexts, especially in winter-related conversations. Be mindful of its feminine gender when constructing sentences, as Russian adjectives and verbs must agree (e.g., "большая сосулька" for "big icicle"). If multiple translations are available, choose сосулька for precise, everyday scenarios; use poetic synonyms like хрустальная игла only in literary writing. Additionally, in regions with harsh winters, this word often appears in safety warnings, so context can influence its formality.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the word without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я вижу сосулька" instead of "Я вижу сосульку" (accusative case).

  Correct: "Я вижу сосульку." Explanation: Russian nouns change based on case; here, the accusative form is required after verbs like "видеть" (to see).

• Error: Confusing it with similar words like "снежинка" (snowflake), leading to misuse in descriptions.

  Correct: Use "сосулька" for ice formations, not snow. Explanation: "Снежинка" refers to snow, which is unrelated, potentially causing conceptual errors for English learners.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, сосульки are often associated with the harsh winter months, symbolizing both the beauty and dangers of the season. They frequently appear in folklore and literature, such as in stories by Russian authors like Pushkin, where they represent fragility and the passage of time. In urban areas, public awareness campaigns warn about falling icicles, reflecting practical concerns in cold climates like Moscow or Siberia.

Related Concepts:

• снег (sneg) - Snow
• лёд (lyod) - Ice
• мороз (moroz) - Frost