Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pouch'

English Word: pouch

Key Russian Translations:

• сумка [ˈsumkə] - [Informal, Everyday use for a small bag or pouch]
• мешочек [mʲɪˈʂoʧʲɪk] - [Informal, Diminutive form, often used for a small or cute pouch]
• сумочка [suˈmoʧkə] - [Formal or Informal, Feminine diminutive, commonly for handbags or small pouches]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its variants are commonly encountered in everyday Russian conversations, especially in contexts like shopping or daily carry items.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level should grasp basic noun forms, but inflection patterns may require practice. For 'сумка', it's straightforward; for diminutives like 'мешочек', slight variations increase difficulty.

Pronunciation (Russian):

сумка: [ˈsumkə] - Stress on the first syllable; the 'у' is pronounced like 'oo' in 'book'.

мешочек: [mʲɪˈʂoʧʲɪk] - Stress on the second syllable; note the soft 'ш' sound, which can be tricky for beginners.

сумочка: [suˈmoʧkə] - Stress on the second syllable; the 'ч' is a soft 'ch' as in 'church'.

Note on сумка: Be cautious with the palatalized consonants; in fast speech, it may sound like [ˈsumkə] with a quicker ending.

Note on мешочек: This diminutive form often carries an affectionate tone, which affects pronunciation speed.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A small bag or container for carrying items

Translation(s) & Context:

• сумка - Used in everyday contexts for a general pouch, such as a purse or small bag; common in informal settings like shopping.
• мешочек - Applied when emphasizing something small or cute, like a coin pouch; often in casual or domestic scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• Я положил ключи в сумку. (Ya polozhil klyuchi v sumku.)

  I put the keys in the pouch.

• Эта сумочка идеально подходит для косметики. (Eta sumochka idealno podkhodit dlya kosmetiki.)

  This little pouch is perfect for cosmetics.

• Мама всегда носит мелкие вещи в мешочке. (Mama vsegda nosit melkie veshchi v meshocchike.)

  Mom always carries small items in a pouch.

• Купи новый мешочек для монет. (Kupi novyy meshochek dlya monet.)

  Buy a new pouch for coins.

• В этой сумке много места для документов. (V etoy sumke mnogo mesta dlya dokumentov.)

  This pouch has a lot of space for documents.

Meaning 2: A pocket-like structure in animals (e.g., kangaroo pouch)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сумка - In biological contexts, referring to a pouch in animals; used in formal or scientific discussions.
• сумочка - Less common, but can be used metaphorically in informal descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• У кенгуру есть специальная сумка для детенышей. (U kenguru est' spetsialnaya sumka dlya detneyshey.)

  Kangaroos have a special pouch for their young.

• В зоопарке мы увидели, как детеныш кенгуру прячется в сумке. (V zooparke my uvideli, kak detneysh kenguru pryachitsya v sumke.)

  At the zoo, we saw the kangaroo joey hiding in its pouch.

• Сумка у некоторых животных служит для хранения пищи. (Sumka u nekotorykh zhivotnykh sluzhity dlya khraneniya pishchi.)

  The pouch in some animals is used for storing food.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily nouns, with 'сумка' and its variants following standard Russian noun inflection patterns. 'Сумка' is a feminine noun in the first declension group, which means it has regular endings for cases and numbers. 'Мешочек' is a diminutive form and also follows regular patterns but with slight variations due to its suffix.

Note: These forms are regular, but learners should practice to avoid errors in case usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мешок (meshok) - Similar to a larger pouch; used for bulkier items.
  • саквояж (sakvoyazh) - More formal, like a travel pouch or suitcase.
• Antonyms:
  • ящик (yashchik) - Box, implying a rigid container rather than a flexible pouch.

Related Phrases:

• Ручная сумка (Ruchnaya sumka) - Handbag; a common everyday phrase for a carried pouch.
• Сумка через плечо (Sumka cherez plecho) - Shoulder bag; used for cross-body pouches in casual contexts.
• Мешочек с травами (Meshochek s travami) - Pouch of herbs; often in culinary or medicinal settings.

Usage Notes:

The English 'pouch' corresponds most directly to 'сумка' in Russian for general use, but choose variants like 'мешочек' for diminutive or affectionate contexts. Be mindful of gender and case in sentences; for example, 'сумка' is feminine, so adjectives must agree (e.g., большая сумка - big pouch). In formal writing, prefer 'сумка' over diminutives. When deciding between translations, consider the size and context: 'мешочек' for small, personal items and 'сумка' for everyday bags.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "в сумка" instead of "в сумке" (in the pouch).

  Correct: в сумке; Explanation: Russian requires the prepositional case for locations, so always adjust the noun ending accordingly to avoid grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing 'сумка' with 'сумочка' in formal contexts, treating them as identical.

  Correct: Use 'сумка' for neutral descriptions; Explanation: 'Сумочка' implies something smaller or more feminine, which might not fit in professional or biological contexts like animal pouches.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, pouches like 'сумка' are everyday items, often seen in markets or as part of traditional attire. For instance, in folklore, characters might carry a 'мешочек' with magical items, reflecting a cultural emphasis on practicality and storytelling.

Related Concepts:

• рюкзак (ryukzak)
• портфель (portfel')
• кошелек (koshelek)