Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mothball'

English Word: mothball

Key Russian Translations:

• нафталин [nəftɐˈlʲin] - [Noun, Formal; refers to the chemical ball used to repel moths]
• консервировать [kənsʲɪrvʲɪˈravatʲ] - [Verb, Formal; used for storing or preserving items temporarily out of use]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday conversation but may appear in specific contexts like household maintenance or industrial discussions.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2; Learners need familiarity with Russian nouns and verbs, including basic inflections, to use these terms correctly.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

нафталин: [nəftɐˈlʲin]

Note on нафталин: The stress falls on the last syllable ("lʲin"), which is a common feature in Russian words ending in -ин. Be careful with the soft "л" sound, which can be tricky for non-native speakers.

консервировать: [kənsʲɪrvʲɪˈravatʲ]

Note on консервировать: This verb has a rolling "р" and a soft "в", with primary stress on the third syllable ("va"). It's often pronounced more fluidly in informal speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A small ball of chemical substance used to repel moths from clothing or stored items.

Translation(s) & Context:

• нафталин - Used in household or storage contexts, such as protecting woolen clothes; formal or neutral language in everyday Russian.

Usage Examples:

• В шкафу всегда лежит нафталин, чтобы моль не повредила одежду.

  In the closet, there are always mothballs to prevent moths from damaging the clothes.

• Я покупаю нафталин в аптеке для хранения зимней одежды.

  I buy mothballs at the pharmacy for storing winter clothes.

• Нафталин эффективно отпугивает моль, но его запах может быть слишком сильным.

  Mothballs effectively repel moths, but their smell can be too strong.

• В старых домах люди используют нафталин в ящиках с тканями.

  In old houses, people use mothballs in drawers with fabrics.

Meaning 2: To store or preserve something temporarily, often out of use (e.g., a ship or factory).

Translation(s) & Context:

• консервировать - Used in technical, industrial, or military contexts; formal language, often in written reports or official discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Завод решили консервировать на время экономического кризиса.

  They decided to mothball the factory during the economic crisis.

• Корабль консервируют, чтобы сохранить его в хорошем состоянии до следующего использования.

  They mothball the ship to keep it in good condition until its next use.

• Правительство консервирует старое оборудование, чтобы сократить расходы.

  The government mothballs old equipment to cut costs.

• В армии часто консервируют технику для долгосрочного хранения.

  In the military, they often mothball equipment for long-term storage.

• Компанию пришлось консервировать из-за нехватки инвестиций.

  The company had to mothball operations due to a lack of investments.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"нафталин" is a masculine noun in the second declension. It follows standard Russian noun inflections for cases and numbers. Below is a table of its key inflections:

"консервировать" is a first-conjugation verb. It is regular but requires aspect consideration (imperfective: консервировать). Key conjugations in the present tense:

Note: This verb can pair with perfective aspects like "законсервировать" for completed actions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • антимоль (for нафталин; a more modern term for moth-repelling agents)
  • законсервировать (for консервировать; implies a more permanent preservation)
• Antonyms:
  • восстанавливать (to restore or reactivate, opposite of консервировать)
  • Н/Д (for нафталин; no direct antonym, as it's a physical object)

Related Phrases:

• положить нафталин в шкаф - (Put mothballs in the closet; used for household storage to prevent damage.)
• консервировать оборудование - (Mothball equipment; common in industrial or military contexts for temporary shutdown.)
• нафталин от моли - (Mothballs for moths; a phrase highlighting the primary use.)

Usage Notes:

"Нафталин" directly corresponds to the noun form of "mothball" and is used in neutral or formal contexts, but avoid it in casual talk as it's somewhat outdated. "Консервировать" matches the verb form and is precise for English speakers, but remember Russian verbs often require an aspect (imperfective for ongoing actions). Choose based on context: use "нафталин" for literal objects and "консервировать" for metaphorical storage. Grammatically, ensure correct case agreement, e.g., "в нафталине" for "in mothballs".

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "нафталин" as a verb, e.g., saying "нафталин одежду" instead of "положить нафталин в одежду". Correct: "Я кладу нафталин в шкаф". Explanation: "Нафталин" is a noun, not a verb; learners often confuse it with the action, so pair it with appropriate verbs like "класть".

• Error: Incorrect conjugation of "консервировать", e.g., saying "я консервирует" instead of "я консерви́рую". Correct: "Я консерви́рую оборудование". Explanation: Russian verbs change based on person; pay attention to the present tense endings to avoid basic grammar mistakes.

• Error: Omitting case changes, e.g., using nominative "нафталин" in all contexts. Correct: In genitive, say "без нафта́лина" (without mothballs). Explanation: This leads to ungrammatical sentences; English speakers must adapt to Russian's flexible word order and case system.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "нафталин" evokes nostalgia for Soviet-era household practices, where it was commonly used in storage to protect clothing during long winters. It's less common today due to modern alternatives, symbolizing simplicity and resourcefulness. For "консервировать", it reflects Russia's history of economic fluctuations, often applied to military assets during peacetime, highlighting themes of preservation in uncertain times.

Related Concepts:

• моль (moth)
• хранение (storage)
• законысервация (preservation)