Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'iron'

English Word: iron

Key Russian Translations:

• железо [ʐɨˈlʲezə] - [Neutral, Noun, Refers to the metal]
• гладить [ˈɡladʲitʲ] - [Verb, Informal or Formal, Used for ironing clothes]

Frequency: Medium for both translations; "железо" is commonly used in everyday contexts like science and industry, while "гладить" appears in domestic or routine discussions.

Difficulty: For "железо" - A2 (Basic noun declension); For "гладить" - B1 (Verb conjugation with aspects, as it's an imperfective verb).

Pronunciation (Russian):

железо: [ʐɨˈlʲezə]

гладить: [ˈɡladʲitʲ]

Note on гладить: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'д' can soften in some dialects; pay attention to the palatalized 'тʲ' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The chemical element iron (as a noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• "железо" - Used in scientific, industrial, or general contexts to refer to the metal; neutral and common in both formal and informal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Железо является основным компонентом в производстве стали.

  Iron is a primary component in steel production.

• В природе железо встречается в виде руды.

  Iron occurs in nature in the form of ore.

• Этот мост сделан из прочного железа.

  This bridge is made of strong iron.

• Железо в рационе помогает предотвратить анемию.

  Iron in the diet helps prevent anemia.

• Современные автомобили содержат много железа в их конструкции.

  Modern cars contain a lot of iron in their structure.

Meaning 2: To iron clothes (as a verb)

Translation(s) & Context:

• "гладить" - Used for the action of ironing fabrics; can be formal or informal, often in domestic contexts, and implies a repetitive or ongoing action due to its imperfective aspect.

Usage Examples:

• Я всегда глажу рубашки перед работой.

  I always iron shirts before work.

• Мама гладит белье по вечерам.

  Mom irons the laundry in the evenings.

• Не забывай гладить брюки, чтобы они выглядели аккуратно.

  Don't forget to iron your pants so they look neat.

• В этой утюжке есть функция пара, чтобы лучше гладить ткани.

  This iron has a steam function to iron fabrics better.

• Дети учатся гладить одежду в школьных уроках домоводства.

  Children learn to iron clothes in home economics classes.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "железо" (neuter noun, 2nd declension):

For "гладить" (verb, imperfective, 1st conjugation):

Note: "гладить" is imperfective and often pairs with perfective "погладить" for completed actions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for железо: сталь (stal' - often implies alloyed iron), металл (metall - broader term for metal).
• Synonyms for гладить: выглаживать (vyglaživat' - more formal, emphasizing smoothing).
• Antonyms for гладить: мять (mjat' - to crumple or wrinkle).

Related Phrases:

• Литье из железа - Casting of iron; refers to industrial processes involving molten iron.
• Гладить утюгом - To iron with an iron; a common domestic phrase emphasizing the tool used.
• Железный век - Iron Age; a historical period in archaeology.

Usage Notes:

"Железо" directly corresponds to the English "iron" as a material and is gender-neutral in Russian, making it straightforward for beginners. However, ensure correct declension based on sentence structure. For "гладить", it's an imperfective verb, so use it for ongoing actions; pair with perfective forms like "погладить" for completed tasks. English speakers might confuse it with "press" or "smooth," but it's specifically for ironing. Choose based on context: use "железо" for literal metal references and "гладить" for clothing care.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "железо" without proper declension, e.g., saying "из железо" instead of "из железа". Correct: "Из железа делают инструменты" (Tools are made from iron). Explanation: Russian requires genitive case after prepositions like "из".
• Error: Forgetting verb aspects with "гладить", e.g., using it for a finished action like "Я гладить рубашку" instead of "Я погладил рубашку". Correct: "Я глажу рубашку" for ongoing. Explanation: Imperfective verbs like "гладить" describe processes, not results.

Cultural Notes:

"Железо" holds historical significance in Russian culture, symbolizing strength and industrialization, as seen in references to the "Iron Age" or Soviet-era heavy industry. "Гладить" reflects everyday life in Russian households, where ironing is a routine chore, often tied to traditions of neatness and preparation for social events.

Related Concepts:

• сталь (stal' - steel)
• металл (metall - metal)
• утюг (utjug - iron, as in the appliance)