Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'knuckle'

English Word: knuckle

Key Russian Translations:

• сустав [suˈstav] - [Formal, Anatomical]
• фаланга [faˈlʲanɡə] - [Informal, Specific to finger bones, Used in medical or everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in anatomical discussions, medical contexts, or everyday language, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires basic knowledge of Russian nouns and anatomy. For 'сустав', it's B1; for 'фаланга', it might be B2 due to more specialized usage).

Pronunciation (Russian):

сустав: [suˈstav]

фаланга: [faˈlʲanɡə]

Note on сустав: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the 'у' sound, which is a back vowel similar to 'oo' in "food". For фаланга, the 'лʲ' indicates a palatalized 'l', which can be tricky for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Anatomical meaning: The joint in the finger, especially where it bends.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сустав - Used in formal medical or descriptive contexts, such as discussing injuries or biology.
• фаланга - Applied in more precise anatomical discussions, like in X-rays or bone structure descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Я сломал сустав на пальце во время игры в футбол. (I broke the knuckle on my finger while playing football.)

  Translation: I broke the knuckle on my finger while playing football. (This example shows 'сустав' in a casual injury context.)

• Его фаланга была повреждена, поэтому он не мог сгибать палец. (His knuckle was injured, so he couldn't bend his finger.)

  Translation: His knuckle was injured, so he couldn't bend his finger. (Illustrates 'фаланга' in a medical scenario.)

• В кулаке все суставы пальцев сжимаются вместе. (In a fist, all the knuckles of the fingers are clenched together.)

  Translation: In a fist, all the knuckles of the fingers are clenched together. (Demonstrates 'суставы' in plural form for emphasis on multiple joints.)

• Фаланги рук часто страдают от артрита у пожилых людей. (The knuckles of the hands often suffer from arthritis in elderly people.)

  Translation: The knuckles of the hands often suffer from arthritis in elderly people. (Shows 'фаланги' in a health-related context.)

• Когда он стукнул кулаком по столу, сустав на его мизинце заболел. (When he pounded his fist on the table, the knuckle on his pinky finger hurt.)

  Translation: When he pounded his fist on the table, the knuckle on his pinky finger hurt. (Highlights 'сустав' in an expressive, action-oriented sentence.)

Metaphorical or mechanical meaning: A protruding part, like in machinery (e.g., a steering knuckle).

Translation(s) & Context:

• сустав - Less common, but used metaphorically for joints in objects, like machinery.
• фаланга - Rarely used here; prefer technical terms like 'шарнир' for mechanical parts.

Usage Examples:

• В этой машине сустав рулевой системы был изношен. (In this car, the steering knuckle was worn out.)

  Translation: In this car, the steering knuckle was worn out. (Applies 'сустав' metaphorically in a technical context.)

• Фаланга в механизме сломалась, вызвав аварию. (The knuckle in the mechanism broke, causing an accident.)

  Translation: The knuckle in the mechanism broke, causing an accident. (Uses 'фаланга' for emphasis on a specific protruding part.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'сустав' and 'фаланга' are masculine nouns in Russian, which follow standard declension patterns for third-declension nouns. They are inflected based on case, number, and gender.

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

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сустав пальца (knuckle of the finger) - More specific, often used interchangeably with сустав in anatomical contexts.
  • суставной отросток (joint protrusion) - Emphasizes the protruding aspect, with a slight formal nuance.
• Antonyms:
  • None directly applicable, as these are physical terms. Conceptually, something like "прямая кость" (straight bone) could contrast with a joint's flexibility, but it's not standard.

Related Phrases:

• Сжать кулак (Squeeze the fist) - A common phrase involving knuckles, used in contexts of anger or determination.
• Боль в суставах (Pain in the joints) - Refers to joint discomfort, often in medical discussions.
• Фаланги скелета (Phalanges of the skeleton) - A phrase for describing hand bones in anatomy.

Usage Notes:

'Сустав' is the most direct translation for 'knuckle' in everyday and formal contexts, while 'фаланга' is better for precise anatomical references. English speakers should note that Russian nouns must agree in case, number, and gender with other words in the sentence. For example, use the genitive case for possession, like 'сустава пальца'. In informal speech, 'сустав' might be preferred over 'фаланга' for simplicity. When choosing between translations, opt for 'сустав' in general conversations and 'фаланга' in technical settings to ensure accuracy.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'сустав' incorrectly in plural form, e.g., saying "суставов" when singular is needed.
  Correct: "У меня болит сустав" (I have a painful knuckle) instead of "У меня болит суставов".
  Explanation: Russian requires precise agreement; beginners often confuse singular and plural endings.
• Mistake: Confusing 'фаланга' with 'сустав' in mechanical contexts, leading to imprecise language.
  Correct: Use 'сустав' for machinery joints, as in "сустав рулевой системы".
  Explanation: 'Фаланга' is primarily anatomical, so misapplying it can make descriptions inaccurate.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, references to 'сустав' or knuckles might appear in expressions related to physical labor or folklore, such as in stories about blacksmiths or fighters. For instance, the idea of "knuckling down" in English has no direct equivalent, but Russian proverbs like "Кулак не аргумент" (A fist is not an argument) highlight the cultural view of physical force versus reason.

Related Concepts:

• палец (finger)
• кулак (fist)
• кости (bones)
• артрита (arthritis)