Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'oar'

English Word: oar

Key Russian Translations:

• весло [ˈvʲeslə] - [Neutral; commonly used in everyday and nautical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word appears regularly in contexts involving boating, literature, or outdoor activities, but not in daily casual conversation.)

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary; suitable for beginners learning basic vocabulary, as it follows standard noun patterns in Russian.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

весло: [ˈvʲeslə]

Note on весло: The pronunciation features a palatalized 'v' sound ([vʲ]), which can be challenging for English speakers. Stress falls on the first syllable, and the final 'o' is reduced in casual speech.

Audio: Listen to pronunciation (Placeholder for audio player integration).

Meanings and Usage:

A pole with a flat blade used for rowing a boat.

Translation(s) & Context:

• весло - Used in nautical or recreational contexts, such as describing tools for rowing in rivers or lakes.

Usage Examples:

• Он взял весло и начал грести по реке.

  He took the oar and started rowing down the river.

• В лодке было два весла, но одно сломалось.

  There were two oars in the boat, but one broke.

• Дети учились грести с помощью весла на озере.

  The children were learning to row with the oar on the lake.

• В музее выставлено старинное весло из деревянного материала.

  In the museum, there is an antique oar made of wood on display.

• Капитан проверил весло перед началом путешествия.

  The captain checked the oar before starting the journey.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

весло is a neuter noun in Russian, which means it follows the standard second declension pattern for nouns. It is inflected based on case and number, with no irregularities. Below is a table outlining its basic inflections:

Note: This noun does not change in gender and has regular inflections, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • лопасть (lopast') - Refers specifically to the blade part of the oar, often used in technical contexts.
  • гребок (grebok) - A diminutive or informal variant, implying a smaller oar.
• Antonyms:
  • парус (parus) - Meaning "sail," as it represents a different method of propulsion in boating.

Related Phrases:

• Взять в руки весло - Take the oar in hand; used to describe preparing for rowing.
• Грести веслом - Row with an oar; a common phrase in adventure or sports contexts.
• Весло для каноэ - Oar for a canoe; specifies the type of oar in recreational activities.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "весло" directly corresponds to the English "oar" in most contexts, but it is primarily neutral and used in specific scenarios like boating or literature. English speakers should note that Russian nouns have grammatical gender (neuter in this case), which affects sentence structure. For example, use the appropriate preposition based on case, such as "с веслом" (with the oar, instrumental case). If multiple translations exist, choose "весло" for general purposes; "лопасть" is better for technical discussions. Be mindful of context: in formal writing, pair it with verbs like "грести," while in informal speech, it might appear in idiomatic expressions.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "весло" with "весло" in the wrong case, e.g., using nominative "весло" where genitive "весла" is needed in phrases like "без весла" (without an oar). Incorrect: "Я иду без весло." Correct: "Я иду без весла." Explanation: Russian requires the genitive case after negative prepositions like "без."

• Another common mistake is overgeneralizing to "oar" in non-nautical contexts; for example, using "весло" to mean a metaphorical "lever," which is incorrect. Instead, use "рычаг" for that meaning. Explanation: Stick to literal translations to avoid semantic errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "весло" is often associated with traditional folklore and literature, such as in stories of river voyages in works by authors like Pushkin or in folk tales involving boats on the Volga River. It symbolizes adventure and manual labor, reflecting Russia's vast waterways and historical reliance on rowing for transportation and trade.

Related Concepts:

• лодка (boat)
• грести (to row)
• река (river)