Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pierce'

English Word: pierce

Key Russian Translations:

• прокалывать [prə.kɐ.'lɨ.vatʲ] - [Verb, Imperfective, Informal; Used in ongoing actions like piercing or puncturing]
• проколоть [prə.kɐ.'lo.tʲ] - [Verb, Perfective, Formal; Used for completed actions, such as making a hole or piercing through]

Frequency: Medium (Common in contexts like medical procedures, crafts, or everyday descriptions, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "идти" – to go)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; Involves understanding verb aspects and conjugations. For "прокалывать", it's standard for learners; for "проколоть", it may vary slightly due to aspect differences)

Pronunciation (Russian):

прокалывать: [prə.kɐ.'lɨ.vatʲ]

проколоть: [prə.kɐ.'lo.tʲ]

Note on прокалывать: The stress is on the second syllable ('lɨ), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft 'л' sound; it softens further in certain conjugations.

Note on проколоть: Pronounce the final 'тʲ' softly, almost like a 'ty' sound, common in Russian perfective verbs.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To make a hole through something with a sharp object

Translation(s) & Context:

• прокалывать - Used in informal or everyday contexts, such as piercing ears or fabric, often implying a repeated or ongoing action.
• проколоть - Applied in formal or precise contexts, like medical procedures or accidents, emphasizing a single, completed pierce.

Usage Examples:

• Она прокалывает ухо иглой, чтобы надеть серьгу.

  She pierces the ear with a needle to put on an earring.

• Врач проколол кожу для инъекции.

  The doctor pierced the skin for an injection.

• Дети прокалывают воздушные шарики булавками во время игры.

  The children pierce the balloons with pins during the game.

• Мастер прокалывает металл в мастерской для художественной работы.

  The craftsman pierces the metal in the workshop for artistic work.

• Он проколол шины автомобиля в спешке.

  He pierced the car's tires in a hurry.

To penetrate or go through something sharply

Translation(s) & Context:

• прокалывать - In metaphorical or physical senses, like light piercing darkness, but less common; typically for tangible piercing.
• проколоть - Often used for deeper penetration, such as in emotional or abstract contexts, e.g., a sound piercing the silence.

Usage Examples:

• Солнечный луч прокалывает густой туман утром.

  The sunbeam pierces the thick fog in the morning.

• Его слова прокололи тишину комнаты.

  His words pierced the silence of the room.

• Стрела прокалывает мишень на соревнованиях.

  The arrow pierces the target in the competition.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "прокалывать" and "проколоть" are verbs, with "прокалывать" being imperfective (ongoing) and "проколоть" perfective (completed). Russian verbs follow patterns of conjugation based on person, number, tense, and aspect. They are conjugated irregularly in some forms due to Russian's aspect system.

These verbs do not change based on gender in the infinitive form but adjust in past tense. They are regular in most conjugations but require attention to the aspect for correct usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пробивать - Similar but often implies breaking through barriers.
  • колоть - More general, meaning to stab or prick, with subtle differences in force.
• Antonyms:
  • зашивать - To sew up or close a hole.
  • защищать - To protect or shield from piercing.

Related Phrases:

• прокалывать ухо - Piercing an ear; Common in beauty or cultural contexts.
• проколоть шину - To puncture a tire; Used in automotive or accidental scenarios.
• прокалывать кожу - Piercing the skin; Often medical or body modification-related.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, choose "прокалывать" for imperfective actions (e.g., the process of piercing) and "проколоть" for perfective ones (e.g., the result of piercing). This mirrors English's simple vs. continuous tenses but is stricter. Be mindful of formal contexts; "проколоть" is preferred in professional or written Russian. Avoid direct word-for-word translation; for example, "pierce" in English can be metaphorical, but in Russian, it often requires context-specific verbs.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "прокалывать" when a perfective verb is needed, e.g., saying "Я прокалываю ухо" for a completed action instead of "Я проколол ухо". Correct: Use "проколоть" for finished events to avoid sounding awkward or incomplete.

• Error: Confusing with "колоть", which implies more violence; e.g., incorrectly saying "колоть ухо" for ear piercing. Correct: "Прокалывать" is gentler and more precise for non-aggressive piercing. Explanation: This mix-up can alter the meaning, making it sound like stabbing.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, piercing (e.g., "прокалывать ухо") is often associated with traditions like earrings for women, which have historical roots in Slavic folklore. It can symbolize beauty or rites of passage, but in modern contexts, it's influenced by Western trends, sometimes leading to debates on body modification in conservative areas.

Related Concepts:

• игла (needle)
• серьга (earring)
• прокол (puncture or hole)