Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'plug'

English Word: plug

Key Russian Translations:

• пробка [ˈprobkə] - [Informal, Common for everyday objects]
• штепсель [ˈʂtʲɛpsʲɪlʲ] - [Formal, Technical, Used in electrical contexts]
• вилка [ˈvʲilkə] - [Informal, Specifically for power plugs, Plural: вилки]

Frequency: Medium (The word 'plug' is commonly encountered in daily life, especially in contexts like traffic or electronics, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level should grasp basic forms, but inflections and context-specific uses may require practice. For 'штепсель', it might lean towards B2 due to technical nuances.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пробка: [ˈprobkə]

штепсель: [ˈʂtʲɛpsʲɪlʲ]

вилка: [ˈvʲilkə]

Note on пробка: The stress is on the first syllable; be cautious with the rolled 'r' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in fast speech may soften the final 'a'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A stopper or cork used to block a hole (e.g., in a bottle)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пробка - Used in everyday, informal contexts for physical objects like bottle stoppers or traffic jams metaphorically.

Usage Examples:

• Я вставил пробку в бутылку, чтобы вино не вытекло.

  I inserted the plug into the bottle so the wine wouldn't spill out.

• Из-за пробки на дороге мы опоздали на встречу.

  Because of the traffic plug (jam), we were late for the meeting.

• Пробка в раковине вызвала затопление кухни.

  The plug in the sink caused the kitchen to flood.

• Не забудьте снять пробку перед тем, как наливать воду.

  Don't forget to remove the plug before pouring the water.

Meaning 2: An electrical connector for devices

Translation(s) & Context:

• штепсель - Formal or technical contexts, often in professional or engineering discussions.
• вилка - Informal, everyday contexts for household items.

Usage Examples:

• Штепсель от лампы сломался, и теперь она не включается.

  The plug of the lamp broke, and now it doesn't turn on.

• Вилка этого зарядного устройства не подходит к нашей розетке.

  The plug of this charger doesn't fit our outlet.

• Я купил новый штепсель для удлинителя.

  I bought a new plug for the extension cord.

• Вилки в европейских странах имеют другую форму.

  Plugs in European countries have a different shape.

• Не трогай вилку, пока устройство включено.

  Don't touch the plug while the device is on.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Пробка' is a feminine noun (3rd declension). It follows standard Russian noun inflections. Below is a table of its forms:

'Штепсель' is a masculine inanimate noun (2nd declension) with regular inflections:

'Вилка' is a feminine noun with regular inflections similar to 'пробка'.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пробка (for stopper) - заглушка (similar, but more technical)
  • штепсель - вилка (interchangeable in some contexts, but 'вилка' is less formal)
• Antonyms:
  • Для пробка: отверстие (hole, as it is the opposite of a blockage)
  • Для штепсель: розетка (outlet, as it pairs with the plug)

Related Phrases:

• пробка в трафике - A traffic jam; used to describe heavy congestion in urban areas.
• вытащить штепсель - To unplug a device; common in safety instructions.
• пробка для бутылки - Bottle stopper; refers to wine or beverage preservation.

Usage Notes:

The English word 'plug' translates variably in Russian based on context: 'пробка' for blockages or stoppers, 'штепсель' for electrical connectors in formal settings, and 'вилка' for plugs in everyday electrical use. Choose 'пробка' for metaphorical or physical blockages, as it's more versatile in informal speech. Be mindful of gender and case agreements in sentences, as Russian nouns inflect. For example, in genitive constructions like "без пробки" (without a plug), the noun changes form.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'пробка' interchangeably with 'штепсель' in electrical contexts. Incorrect: "Я вставил пробку в розетку." Correct: "Я вставил штепсель в розетку." Explanation: 'Пробка' implies a stopper, not an electrical plug, leading to confusion.

• Error: Forgetting noun inflections, e.g., saying "в пробка" instead of "в пробке". Correct: "В пробке" (in the plug). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English learners often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'пробка' is commonly associated with traffic jams in major cities like Moscow, symbolizing urban challenges. This usage reflects broader themes of daily life in densely populated areas, where traffic delays are a shared experience and often discussed in media or casual conversation.

Related Concepts:

• розетка (outlet)
• зарядное устройство (charger)
• пробки в городе (urban traffic issues)