Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'nettle'

English Word: nettle

Key Russian Translations:

• крапива [ˈkrapʲɪvə] - [Noun, Common, used for the plant]
• раздражать [rɐzdrɐˈʐatʲ] - [Verb, Informal, used for the action of irritating or provoking]

Frequency: Medium (The noun 'крапива' is commonly encountered in everyday contexts like botany or gardening, while 'раздражать' as a verb is frequent in conversational Russian.)

Difficulty: B1 for 'крапива' (Intermediate, as it involves basic noun declensions); B2 for 'раздражать' (Upper-Intermediate, due to verb conjugations and nuanced usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

крапива: [ˈkrapʲɪvə]

раздражать: [rɐzdrɐˈʐatʲ]

Note on крапива: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'p' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft, quick 'p' as in 'pew'.

Note on раздражать: The 'zh' sound (as in 'measure') in the middle is key; it's a soft fricative that varies regionally. Avoid hardening it like in English 's'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A stinging plant (Noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• крапива - Used in botanical or everyday contexts, such as describing wild plants or in herbal remedies.

Usage Examples:

• В лесу растёт крапива, так что будь осторожен, чтобы не обжечься.

  In the forest, nettles grow, so be careful not to get stung.

• Крапива часто используется в народной медицине для чаёв и отваров.

  Nettles are often used in folk medicine for teas and decoctions.

• Я видел, как дети играли рядом с кустом крапивы и плакали от ожогов.

  I saw children playing near a nettle bush and crying from the stings.

• В саду мы удалили все крапивы, чтобы сделать место безопасным.

  In the garden, we removed all the nettles to make the area safe.

• Крапива – это выносливый сорняк, который быстро распространяется.

  Nettles are a resilient weed that spreads quickly.

Meaning 2: To irritate or provoke (Verb)

Translation(s) & Context:

• раздражать - Used in emotional or interpersonal contexts, such as in arguments or daily annoyances; informal and versatile.

Usage Examples:

• Его комментарии всегда раздражают меня во время обсуждений.

  His comments always nettle me during discussions.

• Шум от соседей раздражает всю семью по ночам.

  The noise from the neighbors nettles the whole family at night.

• Она не хотела раздражать коллегу, но пришлось высказать правду.

  She didn't want to nettle her colleague, but she had to speak the truth.

• Постоянные опоздания раздражают босса на работе.

  Constant lateness nettles the boss at work.

• Эти мелочи могут раздражать, но не стоит из-за них ссориться.

  These minor things can nettle you, but it's not worth arguing over them.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'крапива' (feminine noun, 1st declension):

It follows standard feminine noun patterns with no irregularities.

For 'раздражать' (verb, imperfective aspect):

This verb is regular in the first conjugation group. Its perfective counterpart is 'раздосадовать' for more intense irritation.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • крапива: жгун (zhgun) - Less common, used poetically for stinging plants.
  • раздражать: досаждать (dosazhdat') - Similar but implies more persistent annoyance; бесить (besit') - Informal, stronger for extreme irritation.
• Antonyms:
  • For крапива: No direct antonym, as it's a specific plant.
  • For раздражать: успокаивать (uspokivat') - To soothe or calm.

Related Phrases:

• Крапива в салате - Nettle in salad (Refers to using nettles in cooking, common in Russian cuisine for health benefits).
• Раздражать нервы - To nettle the nerves (Used idiomatically for something that causes stress or agitation).
• Обжечься крапивой - To get stung by nettles (A phrase for experiencing minor pain or irritation in daily life).

Usage Notes:

'Крапива' directly corresponds to the English 'nettle' as a plant and is neutral in tone, suitable for formal and informal contexts. For the verb 'раздражать', it's a close match to 'to nettle' but can be more intense; use it in spoken language to describe emotional provocation. Be mindful of aspect in Russian verbs—'раздражать' is imperfective, implying ongoing action, whereas English 'nettle' is often simple. In formal writing, opt for synonyms like 'досаждать' for precision.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'крапива' with 'иван-чай' (another plant), but 'крапива' specifically means nettle. Error: Saying "иван-чай" when meaning nettle. Correct: Use "крапива" and learn its declensions to avoid grammatical errors.
• For 'раздражать', beginners might overuse it in formal contexts. Error: "Это раздражает директора" (informal tone). Correct: In formal settings, say "Это досаждает директору" for a more polished effect, as 'раздражать' can sound too casual.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'крапива' is not just a plant but symbolizes resilience and folk remedies. It's featured in traditional medicine and literature, like in fairy tales where it represents minor hardships. 'Раздражать' reflects the Russian emphasis on emotional expression in social interactions, often tied to the concept of 'душевность' (soulfulness), where small irritations are part of building relationships.

Related Concepts:

• жгун
• сорняк
• досаждать
• успокаивать