Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pedal'

English Word: pedal

Key Russian Translations:

• педаль (/pʲɪˈdalʲ/) - [Feminine noun, Common in everyday contexts, such as mechanics or cycling]

Frequency: Medium (Regularly used in technical, automotive, and recreational contexts, but not as common in casual conversation)

Difficulty: A2 (Basic level; straightforward for beginners once basic noun declensions are learned)

Pronunciation (Russian):

педаль: /pʲɪˈdalʲ/

Note on педаль: The initial 'п' is palatalized, which may be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like a soft 'p' followed by a 'y' glide. Stress is on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A lever or foot-operated device, as in a bicycle or vehicle

Translation(s) & Context:

• педаль - Used in mechanical or transportation contexts, such as describing parts of a bike or car (e.g., in formal or technical discussions).

Usage Examples:

• Я нажимаю на педаль, чтобы ускорить велосипед.

  I press the pedal to speed up the bicycle.

• В автомобиле есть три педали: газ, тормоз и сцепление.

  In the car, there are three pedals: gas, brake, and clutch.

• Механик отремонтировал педаль на моем мотоцикле.

  The mechanic fixed the pedal on my motorcycle.

• Дети учатся ездить на велосипеде, балансируя на педали.

  Children learn to ride a bike by balancing on the pedal.

• В старом пианино педаль износилась от частого использования.

  In the old piano, the pedal has worn out from frequent use.

Meaning 2: In a metaphorical or extended sense, such as in music (e.g., piano pedal)

Translation(s) & Context:

• педаль - Applied in artistic or musical settings, often in more specialized contexts (e.g., formal performances).

Usage Examples:

• Пианист использовал педаль для создания эха в музыке.

  The pianist used the pedal to create an echo in the music.

• В этой симфонии педаль помогает поддерживать низкие ноты.

  In this symphony, the pedal helps sustain the low notes.

• Музыкальный педагог объяснил, как правильно работать с педалью.

  The music teacher explained how to work with the pedal properly.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

педаль is a feminine noun in Russian, which follows the standard first declension pattern. It has regular inflections based on case and number. Below is a table of its declensions for the singular form (plural is less common but follows similar rules).

Note: For plural, it becomes педали in nominative, with variations like педалей in genitive. This word does not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • рычаг (rychak) - More general term for a lever, often used interchangeably in mechanical contexts.
  • педалька (pedalka) - Informal diminutive, used affectionately or in casual speech for smaller pedals.
• Antonyms:
  • рулевое колесо (rulyevoe koleso) - Steering wheel, as an opposing control mechanism in vehicles.

Related Phrases:

• нажимать на педаль - To press the pedal; used in driving or cycling contexts to indicate acceleration.
• педаль газа - Gas pedal; a common phrase in automotive discussions, referring to the accelerator.
• снять ногу с педали - To lift the foot off the pedal; implies slowing down or stopping, often metaphorically for taking a break.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "педаль" directly corresponds to the English "pedal" in most mechanical and musical contexts, but it's important to note its feminine gender, which affects agreement with adjectives and verbs (e.g., "эта педаль" for "this pedal"). Use it in formal or technical settings; in informal speech, diminutives like "педалька" might be preferred for endearment. When choosing translations, opt for "педаль" if the context is literal, but be aware of regional variations in Russian-speaking areas.

Common Errors:

• Error: Treating "педаль" as a masculine noun and using incorrect adjective agreement, e.g., saying "этот педаль" instead of "эта педаль".

  Correct: "Эта педаль сломана" (This pedal is broken). Explanation: Russian nouns have genders, and "педаль" is feminine, so adjectives must agree (e.g., use "эта" for feminine singular).

• Error: Mispronouncing the palatalized 'п' as a hard 'p', which can make it sound unnatural.

  Correct: Practice the soft /pʲ/ sound. Explanation: English speakers often overlook Russian's palatalization, leading to confusion in pronunciation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "педаль" in the context of vehicles might evoke themes from Soviet-era engineering, as seen in classic Lada cars. In music, it's associated with Russian composers like Tchaikovsky, who used pedals extensively in symphonies, reflecting the depth of emotional expression in Russian art.

Related Concepts:

• велосипед (velosiped) - Bicycle
• тормоз (tormoz) - Brake
• музыкальный инструмент (muzykal'nyy instrument) - Musical instrument