Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'jack'

English Word: jack

Key Russian Translations:

• валет [vɐˈlʲɛt] - [Informal, in card games, e.g., playing cards]
• домкрат [dɐmˈkrat] - [Formal, referring to a mechanical lifting device]
• Джек [dʐɛk] - [Informal, as a proper name or slang for a jack plug]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday contexts like games, mechanics, or names, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires basic understanding of Russian noun declensions and contexts; for 'валет', it's A2 for beginners, while 'домкрат' may reach B1 due to technical usage).

Pronunciation (Russian):

валет: [vɐˈlʲɛt]

домкрат: [dɐmˈkrat]

Джек: [dʐɛk]

Note on валет: The 'лʲ' sound is a soft 'l', which can be tricky for English speakers; emphasize the stress on the second syllable. For домкрат, the 'krat' ending is pronounced with a hard 'r' sound, common in Russian loanwords.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Jack as in a playing card (e.g., the face card in a deck)

Translation(s) & Context:

• валет - Used in informal or recreational contexts, such as card games; common in casual conversations about games or entertainment.

Usage Examples:

• В игре в карты я вытянул валета. (In the card game, I drew the jack.)

  Translation: In the card game, I drew the jack.

• Валет может быть ключевой картой в покере. (The jack can be a key card in poker.)

  Translation: The jack can be a key card in poker.

• Не забудь, валет бьёт десятку в этой игре. (Remember, the jack beats the ten in this game.)

  Translation: Remember, the jack beats the ten in this game.

• В детстве мы играли в карты, и валет всегда был моим любимым. (In childhood, we played cards, and the jack was always my favorite.)

  Translation: In childhood, we played cards, and the jack was always my favorite.

Meaning 2: Jack as in a mechanical device (e.g., for lifting cars)

Translation(s) & Context:

• домкрат - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as automotive repair or engineering; emphasizes practical, everyday tools.

Usage Examples:

• Чтобы поднять машину, используйте домкрат. (To lift the car, use the jack.)

  Translation: To lift the car, use the jack.

• Домкрат в гараже сломан, нужно купить новый. (The jack in the garage is broken; we need to buy a new one.)

  Translation: The jack in the garage is broken; we need to buy a new one.

• В механических работах домкрат незаменим. (In mechanical work, the jack is indispensable.)

  Translation: In mechanical work, the jack is indispensable.

• Прежде чем использовать домкрат, убедитесь, что он устойчив. (Before using the jack, make sure it's stable.)

  Translation: Before using the jack, make sure it's stable.

• Домкрат помогает в ремонте, но требует осторожности. (The jack helps with repairs but requires caution.)

  Translation: The jack helps with repairs but requires caution.

Meaning 3: Jack as a name or informal term (e.g., for a connector)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Джек - Used informally as a proper name or for audio/video jacks; common in modern, everyday language.

Usage Examples:

• Джек — мой друг из Америки. (Jack is my friend from America.)

  Translation: Jack is my friend from America.

• Подключи телефон к джеку. (Connect the phone to the jack.)

  Translation: Connect the phone to the jack.

• Джек в этой розетке не работает. (The jack in this socket isn't working.)

  Translation: The jack in this socket isn't working.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'валет' (a masculine noun): It follows standard Russian second declension patterns. Note its inflections below:

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	валет	валеты
Genitive	валета	валетов
Dative	валету	валетам
Accusative	валета	валетов
Instrumental	валетом	валетами
Prepositional	валете	валетах

For 'домкрат' (also a masculine noun): It has similar inflections but is less irregular.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	домкрат	домкраты
Genitive	домкрата	домкратов

'Джек' as a proper name typically remains unchanged in most contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • валет - Synonyms: туз (tuz, for card-related, though not exact), фигурная карта (figurnaya karta, meaning face card)
  • домкрат - Synonyms: подъемник (pod"yomnik, lifting device)
  • Джек - Synonyms: Джексон (Dzhékson, as a variant name)
• Antonyms:
  • For валет: проигрыш (proigrysh, loss in games)
  • For домкрат: опускание (opuskan'ye, lowering device, conceptually opposite)

Related Phrases:

• Валет пик (Valet pik) - Meaning: Jack of spades; used in card games to specify a suit.
• Гидравлический домкрат (Gidravlicheskiy domkrat) - Meaning: Hydraulic jack; refers to a specific type of mechanical device.
• Джек в розетке (Dzhék v rozetke) - Meaning: Jack in the socket; common in electronics contexts.

Usage Notes:

The English word 'jack' translates variably in Russian based on context: 'валет' for cards, 'домкрат' for tools, and 'Джек' for names. Always consider the formality—'валет' is informal and playful, while 'домкрат' is technical. In Russian, nouns like these decline by case, so learners should practice declensions to avoid errors. When choosing between translations, opt for 'валет' in recreational settings and 'домкрат' in professional ones.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'валет' in a mechanical context, e.g., saying "Я использовал валет для машины" instead of "Я использовал домкрат для машины". Correct: The word 'валет' specifically means the card, not the tool. Explanation: This confuses the recreational and technical meanings, leading to misunderstandings.

• Error: Forgetting to decline 'валет', e.g., saying "Я видел валет" in genitive context instead of "Я видел валета". Correct: Use the proper case like "валета" for accusative. Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'валет' from card games often appears in folklore and literature, symbolizing luck or trickery, as seen in classic tales like those by Pushkin. 'Домкрат' reflects Russia's industrial heritage, emphasizing practicality in everyday life, especially in rural or automotive contexts.

Related Concepts:

• туз (tuz) - Ace in cards
• подъем (pod"yom) - Lifting or elevation
• имя (imya) - Name, as in proper nouns