Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pincers'

English Word: pincers

Key Russian Translations:

• щипцы (shchypcy) - [Formal, Plural]
• клешни (kleshni) - [Informal, Used for animal anatomy]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in technical, mechanical, or biological contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires familiarity with noun declensions and specific vocabulary domains; for 'щипцы', it's straightforward, but 'клешни' may vary slightly in usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

щипцы: [ʂɨpˈt͡sɨ]

Note on щипцы: The initial 'щ' sound is a voiceless palatalized fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like 'sh' but with more friction. Variations may occur in rapid speech.

клешни: [klʲeʂnʲi]

Note on клешни: The 'ш' is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, similar to 'sh' in 'shoe'. Stress is on the first syllable, and the word is typically plural.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A tool used for gripping, pulling, or cutting, often in mechanical or everyday contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• щипцы - Used in formal or technical settings, such as in workshops or surgery; refers to pliers or forceps.

Usage Examples:

• Я взял щипцы из ящика инструментов, чтобы зажать провод.

  I took the pincers from the tool drawer to clamp the wire.

• В мастерской всегда должны быть щипцы для ремонта мелких деталей.

  In the workshop, there should always be pincers for repairing small parts.

• Эти щипцы идеальны для удаления заноз из кожи.

  These pincers are perfect for removing splinters from the skin.

• Механик использует щипцы, чтобы достать сломанную часть из двигателя.

  The mechanic uses pincers to extract the broken part from the engine.

Meaning 2: The claw-like appendages of certain animals, such as crabs or lobsters.

Translation(s) & Context:

• клешни - Used in biological or descriptive contexts, often in plural form; common in discussions about marine life or zoology.

Usage Examples:

• Краб защищается с помощью своих мощных клешней.

  The crab defends itself with its powerful pincers.

• У лангуста большие клешни, которые используются для охоты.

  The lobster has large pincers that it uses for hunting.

• В океанариуме мы наблюдали, как раки машут клешнями.

  At the aquarium, we watched as the crayfish waved their pincers.

• Клешни краба могут быть опасными, если их не осторожно handling.

  A crab's pincers can be dangerous if not handled carefully.

• Биологи изучают эволюцию клешней у морских членистоногих.

  Biologists study the evolution of pincers in marine arthropods.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'щипцы' and 'клешни' are plural nouns in Russian and follow standard declension patterns for third-declension nouns. They do not have singular forms in common usage, which is typical for tools or body parts referred to collectively.

Note: These nouns are invariable in number (always plural) and follow regular patterns, making them relatively straightforward for learners once basic declensions are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for щипцы: клещи (kleshchi) - Often used interchangeably for larger tools; пинцеты (pintsety) - For finer, precision tools.
• Synonyms for клешни: лапы (lapy) - More general term for limbs, but less specific; челюсти (chelyusti) - For jaw-like structures in some contexts.
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as these are specific nouns without clear opposites; however, for tools, something like руки (ruki) meaning 'hands' could imply a natural alternative in non-mechanical contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Щипцы для волос - Hair straighteners or curling tongs; used in beauty contexts.
• Клешни краба - Crab claws; refers to a specific food item in culinary discussions.
• Использовать щипцы в работе - To use pincers in work; a common phrase in manual labor.
• Клешни лобстера в меню - Lobster pincers on the menu; highlights gastronomic usage.

Usage Notes:

The English word 'pincers' translates to Russian as 'щипцы' for tools and 'клешни' for animal parts, with 'щипцы' being more formal and technical. Choose 'щипцы' in contexts involving machinery or everyday objects, while 'клешни' is better for biological descriptions. Be mindful of Russian's plural nature; these words are rarely used in singular. In sentences, they must agree with case, number, and gender in surrounding grammar. For English learners, remember that Russian tools often imply precision or force, so context dictates the exact word.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'щипцы' in singular form, e.g., saying "один щипец" instead of "одни щипцы". Correct: Always use as plural; explanation: Russian nouns like this don't have a singular counterpart, so learners should treat them as inherently plural to avoid grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing 'щипцы' with 'клещи', using them interchangeably without context; e.g., saying "клещи для волос" when meaning hair pincers. Correct: Use 'щипцы' for finer tools; explanation: 'Клещи' refers to larger clamps, so this mix-up can lead to misunderstandings in technical discussions.

• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., saying "в щипцы" instead of "в щипцах" in prepositional case. Correct: Follow the declension table above; explanation: Proper case agreement is crucial in Russian to maintain sentence flow and avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'щипцы' as tools are often associated with traditional craftsmanship and DIY activities, reflecting the historical emphasis on self-reliance in rural or Soviet-era settings. 'Клешни' in animal contexts might evoke seafood dishes in Russian cuisine, where crab or lobster is a delicacy, symbolizing abundance in festive meals, especially in coastal regions like the Far East.

Related Concepts:

• клещи
• лапы
• инструменты
• членистоногие