Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ledge'

English Word: ledge

Key Russian Translations:

• выступ [vɨˈstup] - [Formal, used for geological or natural protrusions]
• полка [ˈpolkə] - [Informal, used for man-made shelves or ledges]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday language and technical contexts, but not as ubiquitous as basic nouns)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun inflections and contextual usage for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

выступ: [vɨˈstup]

полка: [ˈpolkə]

Note on выступ: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the vowel [ɨ], which is a central vowel unique to Russian and often challenging for English speakers.

Note on полка: Pronounced with a soft [kə] ending; the [o] is more like [ɔ] in some dialects, but standard pronunciation uses [o].

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A narrow horizontal surface projecting from a wall, rock, or other surface (e.g., a shelf or rock protrusion)

Translation(s) & Context:

• выступ - Used in formal or geological contexts, such as describing natural formations in hiking or climbing scenarios.
• полка - Used in everyday, informal contexts, like furniture or household items.

Usage Examples:

• Он осторожно встал на узкий выступ скалы, чтобы увидеть вид. (He carefully stood on the narrow ledge of the rock to see the view.)

  Translation: He carefully stood on the narrow ledge of the rock to see the view.

• На полке в кухне лежат книги и специи. (On the ledge in the kitchen, there are books and spices.)

  Translation: On the ledge in the kitchen, there are books and spices.

• Выступ на горе стал популярным местом для альпинистов. (The ledge on the mountain has become a popular spot for climbers.)

  Translation: The ledge on the mountain has become a popular spot for climbers.

• Дети любят играть на старой полке в саду. (The children like to play on the old ledge in the garden.)

  Translation: The children like to play on the old ledge in the garden.

Meaning 2: A projecting edge or ridge, often in a metaphorical or architectural sense

Translation(s) & Context:

• выступ - Applied in architectural or metaphorical contexts, such as in descriptions of buildings or abstract concepts.

Usage Examples:

• Архитектор добавил выступ на фасаде здания для эстетического эффекта. (The architect added a ledge to the building's facade for aesthetic effect.)

  Translation: The architect added a ledge to the building's facade for aesthetic effect.

• В его речи был явный выступ агрессии. (In his speech, there was a clear ledge of aggression – metaphorical usage.)

  Translation: In his speech, there was a clear ledge of aggression.

• Выступ крыши защищает от дождя. (The ledge of the roof protects from rain.)

  Translation: The ledge of the roof protects from rain.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "выступ" and "полка" are nouns in Russian and follow standard inflection patterns. "Выступ" is a masculine noun (3rd declension), while "полка" is a feminine noun (1st declension). Below is a table outlining their key inflections:

Note: These are regular inflections; no irregular forms for these words.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for выступ: кряж (ridge), обрыв (cliff) - кряж is more for elongated features, while обрыв implies a steeper drop.
• Synonyms for полка: подставка (stand), ниша (niche) - подставка is used for supports, while ниша is for recessed areas.
• Antonyms: впадина (hollow, depression) - Applies to both, indicating the opposite of a protruding feature.

Related Phrases:

• Выступ скалы (Ledge of the rock) - A common phrase for geological features, often used in adventure contexts.
• Полка для книг (Bookshelf ledge) - Refers to a shelf for storing books, typical in home or library settings.
• Крайний выступ (Outermost ledge) - Used to describe the edge in structural or metaphorical senses, implying a boundary.

Usage Notes:

The English word "ledge" corresponds closely to "выступ" in natural or outdoor contexts and "полка" in domestic ones. Choose "выступ" for formal or technical discussions, as it conveys stability and permanence. "Полка" is more versatile for everyday objects but is limited to inanimate items. Be mindful of Russian's grammatical cases; for example, use the genitive case (e.g., выступа) when indicating possession. English speakers often confuse these with similar words like "край" (edge), but "ledge" implies a flatter surface.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "выступ" interchangeably with "полка" without context. For instance, saying "полка скалы" instead of "выступ скалы".

  Correct: "Выступ скалы" (Ledge of the rock). Explanation: "Полка" is for man-made shelves, not natural formations, which can lead to confusion in descriptive writing.

• Error: Forgetting inflections, e.g., using nominative "выступ" in all cases. Example of error: "Я видел выступа" (incorrect genitive).

  Correct: "Я видел выступ" (nominative) or "Я видел выступа" should be "Я видел выступ" in accusative context. Explanation: Always adjust for case to avoid grammatical errors in sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "выступ" often appear in literature and folklore related to Russia's vast landscapes, such as in descriptions of the Ural Mountains. It symbolizes resilience and exploration, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy, where natural ledges represent human challenges.

Related Concepts:

• скала (rock)
• гора (mountain)
• край (edge)