Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pluck'

English Word: pluck

Key Russian Translations:

• выдергивать [vɨdʲɪrˈɡʲivətʲ] - [Informal, Verb; Used in contexts of pulling out forcefully]
• смелость [ˈsmʲeləsʲtʲ] - [Formal, Noun; Refers to courage or bravery]
• щипать [ʂɨˈpatʲ] - [Informal, Verb; Often used for plucking feathers or pinching]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language but not as frequent as basic verbs like "брать")

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of verb conjugations and noun declensions, with "выдергивать" being slightly harder due to its imperfective aspect)

Pronunciation (Russian):

выдергивать: [vɨdʲɪrˈɡʲivətʲ]

Note on выдергивать: This verb has a stress on the third syllable, which can be tricky for learners as Russian stress is not always predictable. The "щ" sound is a soft, voiceless alveolo-palatal fricative.

смелость: [ˈsmʲeləsʲtʲ]

Note on смелость: The initial "с" is pronounced softly due to the following "м", and the word ends with a soft "тʲ".

щипать: [ʂɨˈpatʲ]

Note on щипать: The "щ" is a distinct Russian sound, similar to "sh" but more palatalized; ensure to differentiate it from "ш".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To pull out or remove something quickly, often forcefully (e.g., feathers from a bird).

Translation(s) & Context:

• выдергивать - Used in informal or practical contexts, such as in cooking or manual tasks, to imply a sudden, forceful pull.
• щипать - Applied in similar contexts but can also mean pinching, often in everyday or light-hearted situations.

Usage Examples:

• Она выдергивает перья из курицы перед готовкой.

  She plucks feathers from the chicken before cooking.

• Дети щипают цветы в саду, чтобы сделать букет.

  The children pluck flowers in the garden to make a bouquet.

• В фермерском хозяйстве фермеры выдергивают сорняки из земли.

  In the farm, farmers pluck weeds from the ground.

• Он щипает гитару, извлекаю мелодию.

  He plucks the guitar strings to produce a melody.

Meaning 2: Courage or spirit in the face of danger or difficulty.

Translation(s) & Context:

• смелость - Used in formal or inspirational contexts, such as literature, speeches, or discussions about character traits.

Usage Examples:

• Его смелость в бою вдохновила всю армию.

  His pluck in battle inspired the entire army.

• Несмотря на страх, она проявила смелость, спасая ребенка.

  Despite her fear, she showed pluck by saving the child.

• Смелость нужна, чтобы преодолеть такие препятствия.

  Pluck is needed to overcome such obstacles.

• В книгах о героях часто подчеркивается их смелость.

  In books about heroes, their pluck is often emphasized.

• Её смелость в повседневной жизни поражает друзей.

  Her pluck in everyday life impresses her friends.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "выдергивать" (an imperfective verb), it follows standard Russian verb conjugation patterns. It is irregular in some aspects due to its prefix.

For "смелость" (a feminine noun, 3rd declension), it declines as follows:

For "щипать" (another imperfective verb), it conjugates similarly to "выдергивать" but is more regular.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: щипать (similar to plucking but softer), рвать (for tearing or pulling roughly) - Note: "щипать" is often used interchangeably with "выдергивать" in casual contexts, but implies less force.
• Antonyms: вставлять (to insert or put in), закреплять (to secure or attach)

Related Phrases:

• Выдернуть за ухо - Literally "to pluck by the ear," meaning to scold or discipline someone informally; used in family or educational contexts.
• Щипать траву - "To pluck grass," referring to grazing animals or light gardening; implies a gentle action.
• Проявить смелость - "To show pluck," used in motivational speeches or stories to encourage bravery.

Usage Notes:

"Pluck" as "выдергивать" corresponds closely to English in physical actions but is more common in Russian for manual tasks. Use "смелость" for abstract courage, which is formal and fits literary or philosophical discussions. Be cautious with verb aspects: "выдергивать" is imperfective, implying ongoing action, while its perfective counterpart "выдернуть" might be more precise for completed actions. In informal speech, "щипать" is preferred for lighter contexts to avoid sounding too aggressive.

• When choosing between translations, opt for "выдергивать" in everyday scenarios and "смелость" in emotional or heroic narratives.
• Grammar note: Verbs like "выдергивать" require agreement with the subject in person and number.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "выдергивать" with "вытаскивать" (to pull out), using the wrong verb for plucking. For example:

• Error: "Я вытаскиваю перья" (incorrect, as it implies dragging out rather than plucking).
• Correct: "Я выдергиваю перья" - Explanation: "Выдергивать" specifically conveys a quick, pluck-like action, while "вытаскивать" suggests extraction with effort.
• Another error: Misusing "смелость" in plural forms, e.g., saying "смелости" when singular is needed. Correct usage: Ensure proper declension based on case.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "смелость" (pluck or courage) is highly valued, often glorified in literature like Tolstoy's works or folk tales, symbolizing resilience against historical adversities such as wars. Phrases like "выдернуть за ухо" reflect a cultural norm of direct, familial discipline, which might seem stern to Western audiences but emphasizes community and correction.

Related Concepts:

• отвага (bravery)
• мужество (valor)
• рвать (to tear)