Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pinion'

English Word: pinion

Key Russian Translations:

• шестерёнка [ʂɛstʲɪˈrʲɵnkə] - [Formal, Technical; refers to a small gear or cogwheel in machinery]
• крыло [ˈkrɨlə] - [Informal, Zoological; refers to the wing of a bird, particularly in contexts of anatomy or restriction]

Frequency: Medium; "шестерёнка" is commonly used in technical and engineering discussions, while "крыло" is more frequent in everyday or biological contexts, but neither is among the most common everyday words.

Difficulty: B2 for "шестерёнка" (intermediate, due to technical vocabulary and Russian noun declensions); A2 for "крыло" (beginner, as it is a basic noun with straightforward usage).

Pronunciation (Russian):

шестерёнка: [ʂɛstʲɪˈrʲɵnkə]

Note on шестерёнка: The initial 'ш' sound is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, similar to the 'sh' in English "she," but ensure to stress the third syllable. Common mispronunciation by learners involves softening the 'р' sound.

Audio: []

крыло: [ˈkrɨlə]

Note on крыло: The 'ы' vowel is a central unrounded vowel, distinct from 'и'; stress is on the first syllable. Variations may occur in dialects, but standard Russian uses this form.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A small gear or cogwheel in machinery (mechanical context).

Translation(s) & Context:

• шестерёнка - Used in technical, engineering, or mechanical discussions; appropriate for formal writing or professional settings.

Usage Examples:

• В часах используется маленькая шестерёнка для точного хода механизма.

  In the watch, a small pinion is used for the precise operation of the mechanism.

• Автомобильный двигатель имеет несколько шестерёнок, которые передают крутящий момент.

  The car engine has several pinions that transmit torque.

• Инженеры заменили сломанную шестерёнку в заводском оборудовании.

  The engineers replaced the broken pinion in the factory equipment.

• Шестерёнка в велосипеде может изнашиваться от частого использования.

  The pinion in the bicycle can wear out from frequent use.

Meaning 2: The outer part of a bird's wing, especially when fixed or restricted (zoological or metaphorical context).

Translation(s) & Context:

• крыло - Used in biological, literary, or everyday descriptions; can be metaphorical, such as in expressions of restraint.

Usage Examples:

• Птица не могла летать, потому что её крыло было повреждено.

  The bird couldn't fly because its pinion was damaged.

• В зоопарке орлу подрезали крыло, чтобы он не улетел.

  In the zoo, the eagle's pinion was clipped so it wouldn't fly away.

• Крыло хищной птицы имеет уникальную структуру для полёта.

  The pinion of a predatory bird has a unique structure for flight.

• В поэзии крыло часто символизирует свободу или ограничение.

  In poetry, the pinion often symbolizes freedom or restraint.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "шестерёнка" (a feminine noun, 1st declension):

Note: This follows standard Russian feminine noun patterns with no irregularities.

For "крыло" (a neuter noun, 2nd declension):

Note: "Крыло" is invariant in some fixed expressions but follows regular neuter patterns otherwise.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Для "шестерёнка": зубчатое колесо (zubchatoe koleso) - More general term for geared wheels.
  • Для "крыло": перо (pero) - In poetic or specific anatomical contexts, though less precise.
• Antonyms:
  • Для "шестерёнка": None direct, but in mechanical contexts, "тормоз" (toroz) for brake, implying opposition.
  • Для "крыло": "нога" (noga) - As an opposite limb in animal anatomy.

Related Phrases:

• Шестерёнка в механизме - A pinion in the mechanism; used in technical descriptions.
• Подрезать крыло - To clip the pinion; metaphorical for restricting freedom.
• Крыло птицы - A bird's pinion; common in wildlife or aviation analogies.

Usage Notes:

"Pinion" translates to "шестерёнка" in mechanical contexts, where precision is key, but ensure the noun agrees with Russian case and number. For the zoological meaning, "крыло" is more versatile and can be used metaphorically, unlike the English term which is more literal. Choose "шестерёнка" for formal or technical writing, and avoid it in casual conversation. When using "крыло," pay attention to gender agreement in sentences, as it is neuter.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "шестеренка" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я видел шестеренка" instead of "Я видел шестерёнку" (accusative case).
  Correct: "Я видел шестерёнку в машине." (I saw the pinion in the car.) Explanation: Russian nouns must change based on case; learners often forget this from English's lack of declensions.
• Mistake: Confusing "крыло" with "крышка" (lid), leading to sentences like "Птица имеет крышка" instead of "Птица имеет крыло."
  Correct: "Птица имеет крыло." Explanation: These words sound similar but have different meanings; context helps, but beginners mix them due to phonetic proximity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "крыло" can carry metaphorical weight in literature and folklore, symbolizing freedom or captivity, as seen in stories like those of Icarus or in Russian fairy tales where clipped wings represent lost opportunities. This adds a poetic layer not always present in the English "pinion," which is more utilitarian.

Related Concepts:

• зубчатое колесо (for mechanical pinions)
• перо (for bird-related anatomy)
• механизм (general machinery)