Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pinkie'

English Word: pinkie

Key Russian Translations:

• мизинец [/mʲɪˈzʲinʲɪts/] - [Formal, Singular]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations about body parts, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like "hand" or "finger")

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary; suitable for beginners learning basic anatomy vocabulary, with straightforward pronunciation and grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мизинец: /mʲɪˈzʲinʲɪts/

Note on мизинец: The initial "м" is palatalized, which may be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like "m-y" in "million." Stress is on the third syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The smallest finger on the hand (specifically, the fifth finger)

Translation(s) & Context:

• мизинец - Used in formal or neutral contexts when referring to the pinkie finger in anatomy, medicine, or everyday descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Мой мизинец сломан во время игры в футбол.

  My pinkie is broken from playing football. (This example shows the noun in a singular, nominative case in a casual injury context.)

• Она украсила мизинец кольцом с бриллиантом.

  She adorned her pinkie with a diamond ring. (Illustrates possessive use and in a fashion or personal style context.)

• Дети часто рисуют мизинцы на своих картинках рук.

  Children often draw pinkies on their hand pictures. (Demonstrates plural form in a creative or educational setting.)

• Врачи проверяют мизинец для диагностики некоторых заболеваний.

  Doctors check the pinkie for diagnosing certain conditions. (Shows usage in a medical context with accusative case.)

• Его мизинец был слишком коротким, что вызывало удивление.

  His pinkie was too short, which caused surprise. (Highlights descriptive use in a physical characteristic context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Мизинец" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows regular patterns for most cases, with changes based on number (singular/plural) and case (nominative, genitive, etc.). Below is a table outlining its inflections:

Note: The word is invariant in gender and does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мизинчик (a diminutive form, used affectionately or for children; implies something small and cute)
  • пятый палец (literally "fifth finger," more descriptive and less common)
• Antonyms:
  • большой палец (thumb; opposite in size and function)

Related Phrases:

• Кольцо на мизинце (Ring on the pinkie) - A common phrase referring to jewelry worn on the smallest finger, often symbolizing fashion or personal style.
• Сломанный мизинец (Broken pinkie) - Used in contexts of injury or medical discussions.
• Минимизировать мизинцем (To minimize with the pinkie; metaphorical use in idiomatic expressions, though rare)

Usage Notes:

"Мизинец" directly corresponds to the English "pinkie" as the smallest finger, but it's more formal and anatomical in Russian. Use it in neutral or professional contexts; for informal or childish talk, opt for the diminutive "мизинчик." Be mindful of case endings when constructing sentences, as Russian requires agreement with other parts of the sentence. When choosing between translations, "мизинец" is the standard for adults, while "пятый палец" might be used in educational settings.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "мизинец" without proper case agreement, e.g., saying "Я вижу мизинец" when it should be "Я вижу мизинца" in genitive contexts.

  Correct: "Я держу мизинец" (I hold the pinkie) vs. Incorrect: "Я держу мизинец" if genitive is needed. Explanation: Russian nouns change based on their role in the sentence; always check the case for accuracy.

• Error: Confusing it with "мизинец" for other fingers, leading to misuse like calling the thumb "мизинец."

  Correct: Use "большой палец" for thumb. Explanation: Each finger has a specific term; misapplication can lead to confusion in communication.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the pinkie (мизинец) is sometimes associated with promises or pacts, similar to the Western "pinky promise," though this is more informal and not as deeply ingrained. Historically, in folk tales, small fingers like the pinkie might symbolize delicacy or vulnerability, reflecting broader themes in Russian literature.

Related Concepts:

• палец (finger)
• рука (hand)
• кисть (wrist)