Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'latch'

English Word: latch

Key Russian Translations:

• за́движка [zɐdˈvʲiʂkə] - [Noun, Common; refers to a sliding bolt or fastener]
• за́сов [zɐˈsov] - [Noun, Formal; used for a more secure or traditional bolt]
• за́двинуть [zɐdˈvʲinutʲ] - [Verb, Informal; action of sliding or fastening]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday contexts like home security or descriptions of mechanisms, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun and verb forms in Russian, with some irregular inflections; for 'за́движка' as a noun, it's straightforward, but 'за́двинуть' as a verb may vary in difficulty)

Pronunciation (Russian):

за́движка: [zɐdˈvʲiʂkə]

Note on за́движка: The stress falls on the second syllable ('дви'), which is common in Russian nouns. Pay attention to the palatalized 'ш' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

за́сов: [zɐˈsov]

Note on за́сов: Stress is on the second syllable ('соv'), and the 'o' sound is pronounced as a short vowel, similar to 'o' in "not" in English.

за́двинуть: [zɐdˈvʲinutʲ]

Note on за́двинуть: This is a perfective verb form; the 'тʲ' ending indicates a soft consonant, which affects pronunciation in conjugation. Audio: [Insert audio player placeholder, e.g., ]

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A device for fastening a door, gate, or similar (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• за́движка - Used in everyday, informal contexts for a simple sliding latch on a door or window.
• за́сов - Applied in more formal or secure settings, such as on exterior doors or in historical contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Я закрыл дверь на за́движку, чтобы никто не вошёл.

  I locked the door with the latch so no one could enter. (Demonstrates basic usage in a home security context.)

• В старом доме была большая за́движка на входной двери.

  In the old house, there was a large latch on the front door. (Shows usage in descriptive narratives.)

• Он проверил за́сов перед тем, как уйти.

  He checked the latch before leaving. (Illustrates a formal or cautious scenario.)

• За́движка на окне сломалась от ветра.

  The latch on the window broke due to the wind. (Highlights usage in discussions of maintenance or accidents.)

Meaning 2: To fasten or secure with a latch (Verb form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• за́двинуть - Used for the action of sliding or pushing a latch into place, often in informal or imperative contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Пожалуйста, за́двиньте дверь, чтобы она не хлопала.

  Please latch the door so it doesn't slam. (Shows polite imperative in daily life.)

• Она за́двинула засов и легла спать.

  She latched the bolt and went to sleep. (Demonstrates usage in a routine or safety context.)

• Не забудьте за́двинуть калитку после прогулки.

  Don't forget to latch the gate after the walk. (Illustrates reminder in outdoor settings.)

• В панике он попытался за́двинуть дверь, но она не поддалась.

  In a panic, he tried to latch the door, but it wouldn't budge. (Highlights usage in tense or narrative scenarios.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'за́движка' (feminine noun, 1st declension):

This noun follows standard Russian feminine patterns with regular inflections. It changes based on case and number:

For 'за́сов' (also feminine noun, similar pattern): It follows the same declension rules as above, with no irregularities.

For 'за́двинуть' (verb, perfective aspect):

This is a perfective verb derived from 'задвигать'. It conjugates irregularly in past tense but follows standard patterns for other forms. Example conjugations:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: замок [zɐˈmok] (lock; more general for keyed mechanisms), защёлка [zaʂˈɕoɫkə] (catch or snap latch; often used interchangeably in modern contexts)
• Antonyms: открытие [ɐtˈkrɨtʲije] (opening; conceptual opposite for the action), разблокировать [rɐzblɐˈkɪrəvɐtʲ] (to unlock; for the verb form)

Note: 'замок' is a broader synonym but implies a more complex mechanism, while 'защёлка' is subtle in informal speech for quick fasteners.

Related Phrases:

• Закрыть на за́сов - To lock with a bolt; used for securing doors in homes or buildings.
• Задвинуть за́движку - To slide the latch shut; common in instructions for safety measures.
• Защёлка на двери - The catch on the door; a phrase for describing simple fasteners in everyday conversation.

Usage Notes:

'Latch' in English often corresponds to 'за́движка' or 'за́сов' in Russian for nouns, but the choice depends on context: use 'за́сов' for formal or heavy-duty applications, and 'за́движка' for lighter, everyday ones. For the verb, 'за́двинуть' is perfective and implies completion, so pair it with actions that have an end result. Be mindful of Russian's aspect system—use the imperfective 'задвигать' for ongoing actions. In formal writing, opt for more precise terms to avoid ambiguity.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing 'за́движка' with 'замок' and using it for keyed locks. Correct: 'Замок' is for keys; 'за́движка' is bolt-based. Example: Incorrect - "Я потерял за́движку к двери" (implying a key); Correct - "Я потерял ключ к замку".
• Mistake: Overusing 'за́двинуть' without considering aspect, e.g., in habitual actions. Correct: Use 'задвигать' for ongoing habits, like "Я всегда задвига́ю дверь по вечерам".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, latches like 'за́сов' or 'за́движка' often symbolize security and privacy in homes, especially in rural or historical settings. For instance, in classic Russian literature (e.g., by Tolstoy), these devices appear in scenes of isolation or protection, reflecting the cultural emphasis on personal space in a vast country.

Related Concepts:

• замок
• ключ
• дверной механизм