Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'interstice'

English Word: interstice

Key Russian Translations:

• промежуток [prəˈmʲe.ʐʊ.tək] - [Formal, used in scientific or technical contexts]
• щель [ɕːɛlʲ] - [Informal, Plural: щели, used for smaller or physical gaps]
• интерстиций [ɪn.tʲɛrˈstʲi.tsɨj] - [Formal, technical, especially in biology or anatomy]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation but appears in specialized texts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level, as it involves understanding noun inflections and contextual usage; for 'промежуток', it's B2; for 'интерстиций', it may reach C1 due to its specialized nature.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

промежуток: [prəˈmʲe.ʐʊ.tək]

Note on промежуток: The stress falls on the second syllable ('me'), and the 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, which can be challenging for non-native speakers. It may vary slightly in fast speech.

щель: [ɕːɛlʲ]

Note on щель: The initial 'щ' is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to 'sh' in 'she' but more sibilant; be careful with the soft sign 'ь' affecting the preceding consonant.

интерстиций: [ɪn.tʲɛrˈstʲi.tsɨj]

Note on интерстиций: This is a borrowed word with stress on the fourth syllable; pronounce it with a clear 'ц' as in 'ts' in 'bits'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A space or gap between things (general usage)

Translation(s) & Context:

• промежуток - Used in formal descriptions of intervals or spaces, such as in architecture or time gaps.
• щель - Applied in everyday or informal contexts for narrow openings, like in nature or machinery.
• интерстиций - Reserved for scientific contexts, such as in biology for spaces between cells.

Usage Examples:

• Между камнями есть небольшой промежуток, через который проходит вода.

  There is a small interstice between the stones through which water passes.

• В ткани организма интерстиций играют важную роль в обмене веществ.

  Interstices in the body's tissue play a crucial role in metabolic exchange.

• Эти щели в стене позволяют воздуху циркулировать.

  These interstices in the wall allow air to circulate.

• Промежуток между встречами был слишком коротким для полноценного отдыха.

  The interstice between meetings was too short for proper rest.

• В старом замке щели в камнях скрывали древние секреты.

  The interstices in the old castle's stones hid ancient secrets.

A metaphorical or abstract gap (e.g., in time or relationships)

Translation(s) & Context:

• промежуток - Used metaphorically for time intervals or breaks in routines.
• интерстиций - Less common in metaphors, but can appear in philosophical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В их отношениях появился промежуток, который они не могли преодолеть.

  An interstice appeared in their relationship that they couldn't overcome.

• Промежуток между эпохами часто приводит к культурным изменениям.

  The interstice between eras often leads to cultural changes.

• Этот промежуток времени использовался для размышлений.

  This interstice of time was used for reflection.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'промежуток' is a masculine noun with regular declensions. It follows the standard pattern for third-declension nouns.

'щель' is a feminine noun with regular declensions:

'интерстиций' is an indeclinable noun (borrowed from Latin/Greek), so it remains unchanged in all cases: интерстиций (singular and plural forms are the same in usage).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: интервал (more general for time intervals), пробел (for gaps in text or space)
• Antonyms: сплошность (continuity or solidity), цельность (wholeness)

Related Phrases:

• В промежутках времени - In the interstices of time; used to describe breaks or intervals in a schedule.
• Щели в броне - Interstices in armor; refers to weak points or vulnerabilities in protection.
• Интерстиций тканей - Interstices of tissues; a phrase from biology for spaces between cells.

Usage Notes:

The English word 'interstice' corresponds most closely to 'промежуток' in formal contexts, but choose 'щель' for physical or everyday gaps to match a more informal tone. Be mindful of grammatical gender: 'промежуток' is masculine and requires appropriate adjective agreements (e.g., большой промежуток). In scientific writing, 'интерстиций' is preferred for precision. Avoid using these interchangeably without context, as 'щель' implies something narrower.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'промежуток' incorrectly in plural forms, e.g., saying "промежутоков" when it should be "промежутки" in nominative plural. Correct: Stick to standard declension rules as shown in the table above.

• Error: Confusing 'промежуток' with 'интервал', thinking they are identical; 'интервал' is more about measured time, while 'промежуток' can be spatial. Example of error: "Интервал между домами" (incorrect for physical gaps); Correct: "Промежуток между домами".

• Error: Forgetting the soft sign in 'щель', which affects pronunciation; learners might say [ʃɛl] instead of [ɕːɛlʲ].

Cultural Notes:

While 'interstice' and its Russian equivalents don't carry strong cultural connotations, 'промежуток' can metaphorically represent the gaps in Russian history, such as during the Soviet era, symbolizing periods of transition or uncertainty in literature and art.

Related Concepts:

• интервал
• пробел
• лазейка