Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'neck'

English Word: neck

Key Russian Translations:

• шея [ʂeˈja] - [Formal, Singular, Anatomical term]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversations, medical contexts, and literature, but not as frequent as basic body parts like "head" or "hand").

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level; straightforward vocabulary for new learners of Russian, with simple pronunciation and basic declensions).

Pronunciation (Russian):

шея: [ʂeˈja]

Note on шея: The initial "ш" sound is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, similar to the "sh" in "sheep" in English. Be careful with the soft "я" at the end, which adds a palatalized quality. Variations may occur in dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Anatomical meaning: The part of the body connecting the head to the torso.

Translation(s) & Context:

• шея - Used in formal and informal contexts for human or animal anatomy, such as in medical discussions or casual descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Моя шея болит после долгого дня за компьютером.

  My neck hurts after a long day at the computer.

• У кошки мягкая шея, и она любит, когда её гладят там.

  The cat has a soft neck, and she likes being petted there.

• Врачи осмотрели шею пациента на наличие травм.

  The doctors examined the patient's neck for injuries.

• Шея жирафа очень длинная и помогает ему доставать листья с высоких деревьев.

  The giraffe's neck is very long and helps it reach leaves from high trees.

• После йоги я чувствую расслабление в шее.

  After yoga, I feel relaxation in my neck.

2. Metaphorical meaning: A narrow or connecting part, e.g., in geography or objects.

Translation(s) & Context:

• шея - Used metaphorically for narrow passages, like in landscapes, but less common; often replaced by other terms in idiomatic expressions.

Usage Examples:

• Горы имеют узкую шею, соединяющую два пика.

  The mountains have a narrow neck connecting two peaks.

• В бутылке есть тонкая шея, через которую наливают вино.

  The bottle has a thin neck through which wine is poured.

• Шея реки сужается перед водопадом.

  The river's neck narrows before the waterfall.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Шея is a feminine noun in Russian, belonging to the first declension. It follows regular patterns for most cases and numbers. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • горло (gorlo) - More specific to the throat area, often used interchangeably in informal speech, but less precise for the full neck.
  • вырез (vyrez) - In contexts like clothing, referring to the neckline.
• Antonyms:
  • туловище (tulovishche) - Refers to the body trunk, contrasting with the neck as a connecting part.

Related Phrases:

• Болит шея (Bolot sheya) - Meaning: "Neck hurts" or "Sore neck"; Common in health-related conversations.
• Шея лебедя (Sheya lebedya) - Meaning: "Swan's neck"; Used in descriptions of grace or in literature.
• Длинная шея (Dlinnaya sheya) - Meaning: "Long neck"; Often in animal descriptions or metaphorical expressions for elegance.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "шея" directly corresponds to the English "neck" in most anatomical and everyday contexts, but be aware of its feminine gender, which affects adjective agreements (e.g., "длинная шея" for "long neck"). It's versatile across formal and informal settings, but in medical or technical discussions, it might be paired with more specific terms. When choosing between translations, use "шея" for general purposes; opt for synonyms like "горло" only if emphasizing the throat. Grammatically, always decline it according to the sentence's case for natural flow.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "шея" without proper declension, e.g., saying "болит шея" in genitive context incorrectly as "болит шею".

  Correct: In accusative contexts, use "шею" (e.g., "Я массирую шею" - I am massaging the neck). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement; beginners often forget this, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing "шея" with "голова" (head), resulting in phrases like "Болит шея" when meaning "headache".

  Correct: Use "голова" for head-related pain. Explanation: These are distinct body parts, and mixing them can cause misunderstandings in communication.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the neck (шея) is sometimes referenced in folklore and literature to symbolize vulnerability or grace, as seen in tales like those of swans or in expressions of protection (e.g., "держать за шею" implying control or care). Historically, in Russian art and poetry, a long neck might evoke beauty, drawing from influences like Orthodox iconography where figures are depicted with elongated features.

Related Concepts:

• голова (golova) - Head
• плечи (plechi) - Shoulders
• спина (spina) - Back