Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'nail'

English Word: nail

Key Russian Translations:

• гвоздь [ɡvozdʲ] - [Formal, used for metal fasteners in construction or everyday contexts]
• ноготь [nɐˈɡotʲ] - [Informal, used for body parts like fingernails or toenails]

Frequency: Medium (both translations are commonly encountered in everyday Russian, especially in practical and personal contexts)

Difficulty: A2 for 'гвоздь' (basic vocabulary for beginners); B1 for 'ноготь' (slightly more nuanced due to body-related contexts)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гвоздь: [ɡvozdʲ]

Note on гвоздь: The soft sign 'дь' softens the preceding consonant, making it palatalized; stress is on the first syllable. Common mispronunciation by learners is hardening the 'д' sound.

ноготь: [nɐˈɡotʲ]

Note on ноготь: Stress is on the second syllable; the 'тʲ' is palatalized, which can be tricky for English speakers used to non-palatalized consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A small metal spike or fastener used for joining materials.

Translation(s) & Context:

• гвоздь - Typically used in construction, DIY, or literal fastening scenarios; common in formal and informal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Я забил гвоздь в деревянную доску, чтобы повесить картину.

  I hammered the nail into the wooden board to hang the picture.

• В toolbox'е всегда должен быть запас гвоздей разных размеров.

  In the toolbox, there should always be a supply of nails of different sizes.

• Гвоздь проржавел от дождя и больше не держит.

  The nail rusted from the rain and no longer holds.

• Мастера использовали гвозди для сборки мебели в мастерской.

  The craftsmen used nails to assemble furniture in the workshop.

2. The hard covering on the upper surface of a finger or toe.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ноготь - Used in personal hygiene, health, or beauty contexts; can be informal and is often pluralized in everyday speech.

Usage Examples:

• У меня сломался ноготь, и теперь мне нужно его подстричь.

  I broke my nail, and now I need to trim it.

• Она красит ногти в яркие цвета перед вечеринкой.

  She paints her nails in bright colors before the party.

• Дети часто грызут ногти от нервов или привычки.

  Children often bite their nails out of nerves or habit.

• Врач осмотрел ногти пациента на наличие инфекции.

  The doctor examined the patient's nails for any infection.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'гвоздь' (a masculine noun, third declension):

For 'ноготь' (a masculine noun with irregular plural forms):

Both words follow standard Russian nominal inflections with no major irregularities beyond typical patterns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for гвоздь: болт (bolt, for similar fasteners), крепёж (fastener) - болт is used for threaded fasteners, while гвоздь is for simple spikes.
• Synonyms for ноготь: – (few direct synonyms; related: коготь for animal claws)
• Antonyms for гвоздь: винт (screw) - implies a different fastening mechanism.
• Antonyms for ноготь: – (not typically antonymous, but could contrast with 'кожа' for skin in anatomical contexts)

Related Phrases:

• Забить гвоздь - To hammer a nail; used in literal or metaphorical contexts for fixing something quickly.
• Ржавый гвоздь - Rusty nail; implies something old or unreliable.
• Красить ногти - To paint nails; a common beauty routine phrase.
• Грызть ногти - To bite nails; often refers to a nervous habit.

Usage Notes:

The English word 'nail' corresponds to two distinct Russian words based on context: 'гвоздь' for inanimate objects and 'ноготь' for body parts. Choose 'гвоздь' in technical or construction scenarios, as it's neutral and widely used. 'Ноготь' is more personal and should be used with care in formal settings. Grammatically, both nouns decline according to Russian cases, so pay attention to agreement with adjectives and verbs. For learners, 'гвоздь' might be easier due to its concrete nature, while 'ноготь' requires understanding of body-related idioms.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'ноготь' when meaning a metal fastener, e.g., saying "Я забил ноготь в стену" instead of "Я забил гвоздь в стену". Correct: The word 'ноготь' refers only to fingernails, leading to confusion. Explanation: This mix-up arises from direct translation without context; always clarify the meaning first.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, e.g., saying "гвоздьs" in plural English influence, instead of "гвозди". Correct: Use proper Russian plural forms like "гвозди" in sentences. Explanation: English speakers often forget declensions, which can make the sentence grammatically incorrect.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'гвоздь' might appear in proverbs like "Гвоздь в сапоге" (a nail in the boot), symbolizing a small annoyance that causes big problems, similar to English idioms. For 'ноготь', it's linked to beauty standards, with manicures being a common social practice, reflecting emphasis on personal appearance in Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• Инструменты (tools)
• Крепления (fasteners)
• Красота (beauty, for body-related terms)
• Здоровье (health, in the context of nails as indicators)