Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'nape'

English Word: nape

Key Russian Translations:

• затылок /zəˈtɨlək/ - [Formal, Singular, Used in anatomical or descriptive contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word is commonly used in medical, everyday, and descriptive language but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and vocabulary related to body parts.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

затылок: /zəˈtɨlək/

Note on затылок: The stress is on the second syllable (/tɨ/), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the Russian-specific vowel reduction. Pronounce it with a soft 'l' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The back of the neck (a body part, often referenced in medical or physical descriptions).

Translation(s) & Context:

• затылок - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as medicine or anatomy, to describe the nape of the neck in everyday conversations about health or injury.

Usage Examples:

• Он почувствовал боль в затылке после долгого дня за компьютером.

  He felt pain in his nape after a long day at the computer.

• Врач осмотрел затылок пациента на наличие ушиба.

  The doctor examined the patient's nape for any bruising.

• Дети часто дергают за затылок во время игр, что может привести к дискомфорту.

  Children often pull at the nape during play, which can lead to discomfort.

• В холодную погоду она всегда укутывает затылок шарфом.

  In cold weather, she always wraps her nape with a scarf.

• Массаж затылка помогает снять напряжение в мышцах шеи.

  Massaging the nape helps relieve tension in the neck muscles.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Затылок" is a masculine noun in Russian, which follows the standard third declension pattern for inanimate nouns. It changes based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The plural form is less common and used when referring to multiple individuals' napes, such as in anatomical studies.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • тыл (tyl) - More general, meaning "back" or "rear," but can imply the nape in poetic contexts; differs by being less specific.
  • шея (sheya) - Means "neck" broadly, but not exclusively the nape; used in everyday language for the entire area.
• Antonyms:
  • лоб (lob) - Forehead, as it is the opposite end of the head.

Related Phrases:

• Боль в затылке - Pain in the nape; Used to describe headaches or injuries, common in medical discussions.
• Массаж затылка - Nape massage; A phrase for relaxation techniques, often in wellness contexts.
• Затылок к затылку - Back to back (literally); Implies close proximity or alignment, used metaphorically in social situations.

Usage Notes:

"Затылок" directly corresponds to "nape" in English as a specific body part, but it's more formal and anatomical in Russian. Use it in contexts where precision is needed, such as health or descriptions, rather than casual conversation where "шея" (neck) might suffice. Be mindful of declensions based on sentence structure; for example, in prepositional phrases, it changes to "в затылке" (in the nape). If multiple translations exist, choose "затылок" for exact matches and avoid overgeneralizing with synonyms.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "затылок" without proper declension, e.g., saying "боль в затылок" instead of "боль в затылке".

  Correct: "Боль в затылке" (Pain in the nape). Explanation: Russian requires the prepositional case for locations, so always adjust based on context to avoid grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing it with "тыл", leading to misuse in body-related contexts, e.g., "боль в тыле" for nape pain.

  Correct: Use "затылок" for specificity. Explanation: "Тыл" refers to the back or rear in a more abstract sense, which could mislead in anatomical discussions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, references to the "затылок" often appear in folklore or literature to symbolize vulnerability, as it's a part of the body that's hard to protect. For instance, in traditional tales, striking someone on the nape might represent a surprise attack, reflecting historical themes of defense and survival.

Related Concepts:

• шея (sheya) - Neck
• голова (golova) - Head
• позвоночник (pozvonochnik) - Spine