Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pistol'

English Word: pistol

Key Russian Translations:

• пистолет /pʲɪstɐˈlʲɛt/ - [Standard, used in everyday contexts like military, crime, or sports]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions of weapons, law enforcement, or history, but not in casual daily conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; learners need familiarity with basic noun declensions and vocabulary related to tools or weapons)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пистолет: /pʲɪstɐˈlʲɛt/

Note on пистолет: The stress is on the third syllable ("lʲɛt"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'l' sound. Practice with native speakers for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The firearm (a handheld weapon)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пистолет - Refers to a small, handheld firearm, often used in contexts involving self-defense, military operations, or recreational shooting. Commonly appears in formal or narrative settings.

Usage Examples:

• Он держит пистолет в руке, готовый к действию.

  He holds the pistol in his hand, ready for action. (This example shows the noun in a nominative case in a tense action scenario.)

• Пистолет был найден полицией на месте преступления.

  The pistol was found by the police at the crime scene. (Illustrates the noun in genitive case, common in investigative contexts.)

• В спортивном клубе используют пистолеты для тренировок.

  Pistols are used in the sports club for training. (Demonstrates plural form in a recreational setting, emphasizing group activities.)

• Её пистолет всегда лежит в ящике стола.

  Her pistol is always kept in the desk drawer. (Shows possessive contexts, highlighting personal security themes.)

• Пистолет в музее выставлен как исторический артефакт.

  The pistol in the museum is displayed as a historical artifact. (Used in cultural or educational contexts, with prepositional phrases.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

пистолет is a masculine noun in the second declension. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: револьвер (revolver - similar but often implies a specific type with a revolving chamber; used in historical contexts), огнестрельное оружие (firearm - a broader term for any gun-type weapon)
• Antonyms: меч (sword - represents non-firearm weapons, contrasting with modern technology), or more abstractly, мир (peace - in contexts discussing conflict vs. harmony)

Related Phrases:

• Загруженный пистолет - A loaded pistol; refers to a weapon ready for use, often in tense or dangerous situations.
• Пистолет с глушителем - Pistol with a silencer; used in stealth operations, like in spy thrillers or military contexts.
• Держать пистолет наготове - To keep a pistol at the ready; implies preparedness, common in action narratives.

Usage Notes:

пистолет directly corresponds to the English "pistol" as a handheld firearm, but it's important to note its masculine gender in Russian, which affects adjective agreements and verb conjugations. For example, use it in formal contexts like legal or historical discussions, but avoid in casual everyday talk unless relevant. When choosing between translations like "пистолет" and "револьвер," opt for "пистолет" for general handguns; "револьвер" is more specific. Grammatically, always decline it according to the sentence's case to maintain accuracy.

• In phrases, it often pairs with verbs like "держать" (to hold) or "использовать" (to use).
• Be mindful of regional variations; in Russian media, it's frequently associated with crime or defense narratives.

Common Errors:

English learners often mispronounce the word by placing stress on the wrong syllable, saying /pʲɪsˈtɐlʲɛt/ instead of /pʲɪstɐˈlʲɛt/, which can make it sound unnatural. Incorrect: "ПиСТОлет" (with wrong stress). Correct: "ПистоЛЕТ" (emphasizing the third syllable). Another error is forgetting to decline it in sentences, e.g., using "пистолет" in genitive contexts without changing to "пистолета," leading to grammatical inconsistencies. Always check the case based on the sentence structure for proper usage.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "пистолет" often evokes themes from literature and history, such as in works by authors like Tolstoy or in references to the Russian Revolution, where firearms symbolized power and conflict. Gun ownership is heavily regulated in Russia, so the word carries connotations of authority, danger, or historical events, differing from more permissive gun cultures in some English-speaking countries.

Related Concepts:

• ружье (rifle)
• нож (knife)
• огнестрельное оружие (firearm)
• боеприпасы (ammunition)