Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'plow'

English Word: plow

Key Russian Translations:

• плуг /pluk/ - [Formal, Singular, Used in agricultural contexts]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in specific contexts like farming or technical discussions.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate level, as it involves basic vocabulary related to tools and agriculture, but requires understanding of noun inflections in Russian.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

плуг: /pluk/

Note on плуг: The pronunciation emphasizes the hard "л" sound, which can be challenging for English speakers accustomed to softer "l" sounds. Be mindful of the vowel in the first syllable, which is a short "u" sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A farming tool used to turn over soil.

Translation(s) & Context:

• плуг - Used in formal or technical contexts related to agriculture, such as describing farming equipment or historical practices.

Usage Examples:

• Я использую плуг для вспахивания поля.

  I use a plow to plow the field. (This example shows the noun in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting its role in everyday farming tasks.)

• Фермеры в России часто ремонтируют свои плуги перед сезоном.

  Farmers in Russia often repair their plows before the season. (This demonstrates the plural form and its use in a cultural or seasonal context.)

• Без плуга невозможно подготовить землю к посадке.

  Without a plow, it's impossible to prepare the land for planting. (Here, the word is used in a dependent clause, emphasizing necessity in agricultural workflows.)

• Современный плуг оснащен новыми технологиями для повышения эффективности.

  The modern plow is equipped with new technologies to increase efficiency. (This example places the word in a technological context, showing its evolution.)

• В музее есть старинный плуг из XIX века.

  In the museum, there is an old plow from the 19th century. (This illustrates the word in a historical or descriptive setting.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Плуг" is a masculine noun (3rd declension in Russian). It follows standard patterns for masculine inanimate nouns, with changes in cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

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

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вспашник (vspashnik) - A less common term for a plowing tool, often used in poetic or archaic contexts.
  • орат (orat) - Refers more broadly to plowing equipment, with a slight emphasis on the action.
• Antonyms:
  • урожай (urozhay) - Harvest, representing the opposite stage in agriculture.

Related Phrases:

• вспахать поле (vspakhat pole) - To plow the field; a common phrase used in discussions about land preparation.
• ремонт плуга (remont pluga) - Repair of the plow; refers to maintenance in farming contexts.
• старинный плуг (starinnyi plug) - Old plow; often used in historical or museum-related conversations.

Usage Notes:

"Плуг" directly corresponds to the English "plow" as a noun for an agricultural tool, but it is more commonly used in formal, technical, or rural settings in Russian. Unlike English, Russian nouns must agree in case, number, and gender, so always adjust "плуг" based on its role in the sentence (e.g., use genitive for possession). If multiple translations exist, choose "плуг" for standard farming contexts; alternatives like "вспашник" may carry a more literary connotation. Be aware of regional variations in Russian-speaking areas, where agricultural terminology might include dialects.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я имею плуг" instead of "Я имею плуг" (correct), but commonly mixing it with "плугa" in genitive contexts. Correct: "У меня плуга нет" (I don't have a plow). Explanation: Russian requires precise case agreement; beginners often overlook this, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Mispronouncing as /plu:g/ with a long vowel, instead of the correct short /pluk/. Correct pronunciation: /pluk/. Explanation: English speakers may elongate vowels due to influence from words like "plug," but this alters the word's meaning in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the plow symbolizes hard agricultural labor and is tied to the country's historical reliance on farming, especially in rural areas like the Russian countryside. It appears in folklore and literature, such as in stories by Tolstoy, representing resilience and connection to the land. Understanding this can help English learners appreciate the deeper, agrarian roots of Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• трактор (traktor)
• урожай (urozhay)
• поле (pole)