Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mouth'

English Word: mouth

Key Russian Translations:

• рот [rot] - [Informal, Everyday use]
• устье [ˈusʲtʲjɪ] - [Formal, Specific to geographical contexts, e.g., river mouth]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in daily conversations and literature, but varies by context)

Difficulty: A1 for 'рот' (Beginner level, basic vocabulary); B1 for 'устье' (Intermediate, as it involves specialized terminology)

Pronunciation (Russian):

рот: [rot]

устье: [ˈusʲtʲjɪ]

Note on рот: The 'р' is a trilled alveolar sound, which can be challenging for English speakers; pronounce it with a light roll, similar to the 'r' in "red" but more vibrant.

Note on устье: The soft sign 'ь' after 'т' softens the preceding consonant, making it palatalized; practice with a native speaker for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Body part (the opening through which food enters and speech is produced)

Translation(s) & Context:

• рот - Used in everyday, informal contexts for human or animal anatomy, such as in health or daily routines.

Usage Examples:

• Я чищу зубы каждый вечер, чтобы рот был здоровым.

  I brush my teeth every evening to keep my mouth healthy.

• Его рот был полон еды, и он не мог говорить.

  His mouth was full of food, and he couldn't speak.

• Дети часто открывают рот, когда удивлены.

  Children often open their mouths when they're surprised.

• Врач осмотрел рот пациента на наличие проблем.

  The doctor examined the patient's mouth for any issues.

Meaning 2: Entrance or opening (e.g., of a river or cave)

Translation(s) & Context:

• устье - Used in formal or scientific contexts, such as geography or descriptions of natural features.

Usage Examples:

• Устье реки впадает в океан, создавая уникальную экосистему.

  The mouth of the river flows into the ocean, creating a unique ecosystem.

• Исследователи изучили устье пещеры перед входом.

  The researchers examined the mouth of the cave before entering.

• Устье озера часто служит местом для рыбалки.

  The mouth of the lake is often a spot for fishing.

• Геологи измерили устье вулкана для оценки риска.

  Geologists measured the mouth of the volcano to assess the risk.

• Устье канала было заблокировано, что повлияло на торговлю.

  The mouth of the canal was blocked, affecting trade.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'рот' (a masculine noun in the second declension), it follows standard Russian noun inflections. It is invariable in plural forms for some uses but changes by case in singular.

For 'устье' (a neuter noun), it has regular inflections with no irregularities:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • уста (usta) - More poetic or archaic, often referring to lips or mouth in literary contexts.
  • пасть (past') - Used for animals' mouths, with a connotation of something larger or more ferocious.
• Antonyms:
  • глотка (glotka) - Throat, as an opposite internal feature, though not a direct antonym.

Related Phrases:

• Держать рот на замке - Literally "to keep the mouth on the lock," meaning to keep quiet or stay silent; used in contexts of secrecy.
• Открыть рот от удивления - "To open the mouth in surprise," describing shock or astonishment in everyday situations.
• Устье реки - "Mouth of the river," a common phrase in geographical descriptions or travel contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'рот' directly corresponds to the English 'mouth' for body parts and is versatile in informal settings, but avoid it in poetic or formal writing where 'уста' might be preferred. For geographical meanings, 'устье' is the precise equivalent and should be used in scientific or technical contexts. Be mindful of gender agreements in sentences, as 'рот' is masculine. When choosing between translations, opt for 'рот' in daily conversations and 'устье' for non-biological contexts to ensure accuracy.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'рот' with 'пасть': English learners might use 'пасть' for human mouths, but it's incorrect as 'пасть' is for animals. Correct usage: Say "мой рот" (my mouth) instead of "моя пасть."
• Misinflecting nouns: Forgetting case changes, e.g., saying "в рот" instead of "в рту" for "in the mouth." Explanation: Russian requires proper case for prepositions; the correct form is prepositional "рту" in some contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like "держать рот на замке" reflect a value on discretion and silence in social interactions, often tied to historical contexts of censorship during the Soviet era. Additionally, 'рот' in folklore might symbolize expression or consumption, as seen in fairy tales where characters use their mouths for eating or speaking enchantments.

Related Concepts:

• зубы (teeth)
• язык (tongue)
• глотка (throat)
• река (river)