Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ladder'

English Word: ladder

Key Russian Translations:

• лестница [lʲɪsʲˈtʲnʲɪtsə] - [Common noun, used for a structure with steps for climbing]
• стремянка [strʲɪˈmʲankə] - [Informal, specifically for a portable step ladder]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly encountered in everyday contexts like home improvement or metaphors, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary in casual conversation.)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner level; straightforward for English speakers due to cognates and basic noun usage, though inflections may require practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

лестница: [lʲɪsʲˈtʲnʲɪtsə]

стремянка: [strʲɪˈmʲankə]

Note on лестница: The soft sign (ь) in "лестница" affects the pronunciation, making the 's' sound palatalized. Stress is on the second syllable, which is common in Russian nouns.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A physical structure with steps for climbing up or down.

Translation(s) & Context:

• лестница - Used in general contexts like buildings or tools; formal and everyday settings.
• стремянка - Informal, for smaller, portable ladders in domestic or work environments.

Usage Examples:

• Я поднимаюсь по лестнице в свой офис. (Ya podnimaus' po lestnitse v svoy ofis.)

  I am climbing the ladder to my office. (This example shows the word in a literal, everyday context involving movement.)

• Ему нужна стремянка, чтобы достать книги с верхней полки. (Yemu nuzhna stremyanka, chtoby dostat' knigi s verkhney polki.)

  He needs a step ladder to reach the books on the top shelf. (Illustrates informal usage in a household scenario.)

• Лестница в этом доме очень крутая. (Lestnitse v etom dome ochen' krutaya.)

  The ladder in this house is very steep. (Demonstrates descriptive usage with adjectives.)

• Рабочие используют лестницу для ремонта крыши. (Rabochiye ispol'zuyut lestnitsu dlya remonta kryshi.)

  The workers are using the ladder to repair the roof. (Shows professional or outdoor context.)

Meaning 2: Metaphorical use, such as in career progression (e.g., "career ladder").

Translation(s) & Context:

• лестница (in idioms like "карьерная лестница") - Used in formal or professional discussions; metaphorical for advancement.

Usage Examples:

• Он поднимается по карьерной лестнице очень быстро. (On podnimaetsya po kar'yerney lestnitse ochen' bystro.)

  He is climbing the career ladder very quickly. (This example adapts the metaphor to professional growth.)

• Жизнь — это лестница, на которую нужно взбираться шаг за шагом. (Zhizn' — eto lestnitse, na kotoruyu nuzhno vzbrirat'sya shag za shagom.)

  Life is a ladder that you need to climb step by step. (Illustrates philosophical or motivational usage.)

• В компании есть своя лестница успеха. (V kompanii est' svoya lestnitse uspekha.)

  In the company, there is its own ladder of success. (Shows idiomatic expression in a business context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "лестница" and "стремянка" are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow the standard first-declension patterns. Russian nouns change based on case, number, and gender. "Лестница" is regular, while "стремянка" is also regular but less common.

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

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • степенка (stepenka) - A smaller or informal variant, often for steps.
  • приставная лестница (pristavnaya lestnitse) - Specifically for a leaning ladder; implies portability.
• Antonyms:
  • спуск (spusk) - Descent or way down, contrasting with upward movement.

Related Phrases:

• Карьерная лестница (Kar'yerneya lestnitse) - Career ladder; a metaphorical phrase for professional advancement.
• Подняться по лестнице (Podnimat'sya po lestnitse) - To climb the ladder; used literally or figuratively for progress.
• Лестница успеха (Lestnitse uspekha) - Ladder of success; an idiomatic expression for steps to achievement, with a positive connotation in motivational contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "лестница" directly corresponds to the English "ladder" in most literal senses but can also mean "stairs" in building contexts, so context is key. For metaphorical uses like "career ladder," Russians often use "карьерная лестница," which maintains the English structure. Be mindful of gender (feminine) when forming sentences, as it affects adjectives and verbs. If multiple translations apply, choose "стремянка" for portable items and "лестница" for fixed structures. This word is neutral in formality but can appear in both casual and professional speech.

Common Errors:

• Confusing cases: English learners often forget to change "лестница" in genitive (e.g., saying "я иду к лестница" instead of "я иду к лестнице"). Correct: Use the dative "лестнице" for "to the ladder." This error stems from English's lack of cases.

• Misusing in metaphors: Beginners might directly translate "career ladder" as just "лестница," omitting "карьерная," leading to confusion. Correct: Always pair it with "карьерная" for the idiomatic sense.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, ladders often symbolize progress or social mobility, as seen in phrases like "лестница успеха." This reflects a broader Slavic tradition of using everyday objects in proverbs, emphasizing perseverance. Historically, in rural areas, ladders were essential for daily life, influencing their metaphorical use in literature and folklore.

Related Concepts:

• этаж (etazh) - Floor (of a building)
• подъем (pod"yem) - Ascent or rise
• успех (uspekh) - Success (especially in the context of career ladders)