Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'kink'

English Word: kink

Key Russian Translations:

• изгиб [ˈɪzɡʲɪp] - [Informal, used for physical twists or bends]
• узел [ˈuzʲɪl] - [Formal, often in technical or literal contexts like knots]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language, especially in descriptions of objects or mechanics)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves basic noun inflections; for 'узел', it may be A2 if focusing on simple forms)

Pronunciation (Russian):

изгиб: [ˈɪzɡʲɪp]

узел: [ˈuzʲɪl]

Note on изгиб: The 'г' is pronounced as a soft [ɡʲ], which can be tricky for English speakers; stress is on the first syllable.

Note on узел: The 'з' is a voiced [z] sound; ensure it's not confused with 'с' [s].

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A twist, bend, or curl in something straight (e.g., in wires, hair, or fabric)

Translation(s) & Context:

• изгиб - Used in casual descriptions of physical deformations, such as in engineering or everyday objects.
• узел - Applied in more precise contexts, like knots in ropes or technical diagrams.

Usage Examples:

• В проводе образовался изгиб, из-за которого ток не проходит. (In the wire, a kink formed, preventing the current from passing.)

  Translation: A kink formed in the wire, which is stopping the current.

• Она аккуратно распутала узел в волосах. (She carefully untangled the kink in her hair.)

  Translation: She carefully untangled the knot in her hair.

• Из-за изгиба трубы вода не текла. (Due to the kink in the pipe, the water wasn't flowing.)

  Translation: Because of the bend in the pipe, the water wasn't flowing.

• Механик исправил узел в кабеле. (The mechanic fixed the kink in the cable.)

  Translation: The mechanic fixed the knot in the cable.

• В шланге был изгиб, что вызвало утечку. (There was a kink in the hose, causing a leak.)

  Translation: There was a twist in the hose, which caused a leak.

Meaning 2: A quirk, peculiarity, or unusual twist (e.g., in behavior or ideas)

Translation(s) & Context:

• изгиб - Metaphorical use, less common, for abstract twists in thoughts or plans.
• странность - For behavioral kinks, implying oddity.

Usage Examples:

• В его характере есть изгиб, который делает его уникальным. (There's a kink in his character that makes him unique.)

  Translation: There's a quirk in his character that makes him unique.

• Эта странность в сюжете фильма добавляет изгиб. (This peculiarity in the film's plot adds a twist.)

  Translation: This oddity in the film's plot adds a kink.

• Из-за изгиба в плане всё пошло не так. (Due to the kink in the plan, everything went wrong.)

  Translation: Because of the twist in the plan, everything went wrong.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'изгиб' and 'узел' are masculine nouns in Russian, which follow standard first-declension patterns. They inflect based on case, number, and gender. Here's a table for 'изгиб':

For 'узел', it follows a similar pattern:

These nouns do not have irregular inflections, making them straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • изгиб: кривизна (curvature) - More general term for bends.
  • узел: петля (loop) - Used when referring to tied structures.
• Antonyms:
  • изгиб: прямая (straight line) - Indicates the opposite of a bend.
  • узел: гладкость (smoothness) - For contexts without knots or twists.

Related Phrases:

• Изогнуть провод (To bend the wire) - Refers to creating a kink intentionally.
• Развязать узел (To untie the knot) - Common phrase for resolving complications.
• Скрытый изгиб (Hidden twist) - Used metaphorically for unexpected turns in stories.

Usage Notes:

'Kink' in English often implies something unintended or problematic, which aligns with 'изгиб' or 'узел' in Russian, but choose based on context: use 'изгиб' for physical bends and 'узел' for knots. Be mindful of grammatical gender (both masculine) and ensure correct case usage in sentences. For beginners, start with nominative forms before exploring inflections.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'изгиб' interchangeably with 'узел' without context. Correct: 'Изгиб в трубе' (kink in the pipe) vs. 'Узел в верёвке' (knot in the rope). Explanation: These words have overlapping but distinct meanings; misusing them can lead to confusion in technical discussions.
• Error: Forgetting noun inflections, e.g., saying 'в изгиб' instead of 'в изгибе'. Correct: Use prepositional case 'в изгибе'. Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'узел' are prevalent in folklore and literature, symbolizing complexity or entanglement, as seen in stories where untying a knot represents solving a problem, drawing from historical nautical and rural traditions.

Related Concepts:

• кривизна (curvature)
• петля (loop)
• искривление (distortion)