Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lump'

English Word: lump

Key Russian Translations:

• кусок [ˈkusək] - [Informal, Common for solid pieces]
• шишка [ˈʂɨʂkə] - [Informal, Used for swellings or bumps]
• опухоль [ɐˈpuxəlʲ] - [Formal, Medical context for tumors or swellings]

Frequency: Medium (The word 'lump' and its translations are commonly encountered in everyday conversation and literature, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level can grasp basic uses, but nuances in medical or descriptive contexts may require more practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кусок: [ˈkusək]

шишка: [ˈʂɨʂkə]

опухоль: [ɐˈpuxəlʲ]

Note on кусок: The 'к' sound is a hard velar stop; be mindful of the stress on the first syllable, which is common in Russian nouns.

Note on шишка: The 'ш' is a voiceless postalveolar fricative; this word often has a diminutive connotation in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A lump as a solid piece of material

Translation(s) & Context:

• кусок - Used in everyday contexts for a chunk or piece of something, like food or coal; informal and versatile.

Usage Examples:

• Я взял кусок хлеба из корзины. (I took a lump of bread from the basket.)

  I took a piece of bread from the basket.

• В камине лежал большой кусок угля. (In the fireplace lay a big lump of coal.)

  In the fireplace lay a big piece of coal.

• Она отломила кусок сыра для салата. (She broke off a lump of cheese for the salad.)

  She broke off a piece of cheese for the salad.

• Кусок металла упал на землю. (A lump of metal fell to the ground.)

  A piece of metal fell to the ground.

A lump as a swelling or bump

Translation(s) & Context:

• шишка - Informal for a bump or swelling, often from injury; commonly used in spoken language.
• опухоль - Formal, especially in medical contexts for a growth or tumor.

Usage Examples:

• После удара на лбу появилась шишка. (After the hit, a lump appeared on his forehead.)

  After the hit, a bump appeared on his forehead.

• Врач проверил опухоль на руке. (The doctor checked the lump on the arm.)

  The doctor checked the swelling on the arm.

• У неё на ноге выросла небольшая шишка. (She has a small lump growing on her leg.)

  She has a small bump growing on her leg.

• Опухоль может быть доброкачественной. (The lump could be benign.)

  The tumor could be benign.

• Дети часто получают шишки во время игр. (Kids often get lumps while playing.)

  Kids often get bumps while playing.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'кусок' (a masculine noun), it follows the standard third declension pattern with regular endings. It is invariable in plural forms for some uses but can inflect based on case.

For 'шишка' (feminine noun), it has regular first declension patterns:

'Опухоль' (feminine) is also regularly inflected and does not have irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • кусок: фрагмент (fragment) - More neutral, used in technical contexts.
  • шишка: бугорок (bump) - Similar but often smaller scale.
  • опухоль: новообразование (neoplasm) - Formal medical synonym.
• Antonyms:
  • For кусок: порошок (powder) - Opposite in form, as it implies a fine substance.
  • For шишка: гладкость (smoothness) - Abstract antonym implying no bump.

Related Phrases:

• Кусок пирога - A piece of pie; used in casual dining contexts.
• Шишку на голове - A bump on the head; common in injury descriptions.
• Опухоль в тканях - A lump in the tissues; medical phrase for diagnostics.

Usage Notes:

'Lump' translates variably in Russian based on context: 'кусок' for physical pieces, 'шишка' for minor injuries, and 'опухоль' for medical issues. English speakers should note that Russian nouns change by case, so 'кусок' becomes 'куска' in genitive. In formal settings, prefer 'опухоль' over 'шишка' to avoid sounding casual. When choosing translations, consider the object's size and material—'кусок' works for solids but not liquids.

• Grammar tip: Always check for agreement in gender, number, and case when using these words in sentences.
• Context guidance: In everyday speech, 'шишка' might imply something temporary, while 'опухоль' suggests something potentially serious.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse case endings, e.g., saying "Я имею кусок" instead of "У меня есть кусок" (I have a lump). Correct: The proper structure is "У меня есть кусок хлеба." Error explanation: Russian requires the genitive case after certain verbs, so incorrect use can make the sentence ungrammatical.

Another error: Confusing 'шишка' with 'опухоль' in medical contexts, leading to understatement; e.g., saying "У меня шишка" for a serious lump when 'опухоль' is more appropriate.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'шишка' is often used lightheartedly in folklore or children's stories to describe bumps from accidents, reflecting a humorous take on minor injuries. However, 'опухоль' carries a more serious connotation due to its association with health issues, influenced by Russia's emphasis on preventive medicine in literature and media.

Related Concepts:

• Блок (block)
• Горб (hump)
• Новообразование (neoplasm)