Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'prickle'

English Word: prickle

Key Russian Translations:

• Шип [ʃip] - [Noun, Formal, Singular; refers to a sharp thorn or spine on plants]
• Колючка [kɐˈlʲut͡ɕkə] - [Noun, Informal, Diminutive; used for smaller or less formal contexts, like a prickly sticker]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in discussions about nature, botany, or everyday objects, but not in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners need basic noun declension knowledge; for 'Шип', it's straightforward, but 'Колючка' involves diminutive forms which may add slight complexity)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Шип: [ʃip] (The 'ш' sound is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, similar to 'sh' in 'shoe'. Stress is on the first syllable.)

Колючка: [kɐˈlʲut͡ɕkə] (The 'ю' creates a palatalized 'l' sound; stress is on the second syllable. Note the soft sign 'ь' affecting pronunciation.)

Note on Шип: Be cautious with the 'ш' sound, as it's easy for English speakers to over-emphasize it; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Note on Колючка: The diminutive ending '-чка' softens the word, making it sound affectionate or casual; common in spoken Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Noun: A small thorn or sharp point on a plant or object.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Шип - Used in formal or scientific contexts, such as describing plant anatomy or hazards in nature.
• Колючка - Applied in everyday, informal situations, like talking about a child's toy or a minor annoyance.

Usage Examples:

• На розе есть острые шипы, которые могут уколоть кожу.

  On the rose, there are sharp prickles that can pierce the skin.

• Эта колючка на кусте причиняет боль, если ее коснуться.

  This prickle on the bush causes pain if you touch it.

• Дети осторожно обходят колючки в саду, чтобы не поцарапаться.

  Children carefully avoid the prickles in the garden to avoid getting scratched.

• Шипы кактуса служат защитой от животных.

  The prickles of the cactus serve as protection against animals.

• Маленькая колючка на фрукте делает его трудным для сбора.

  The small prickle on the fruit makes it difficult to pick.

Verb Form (if extended metaphorically): To cause a tingling or stinging sensation.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Колить - Used for physical sensations, in informal or medical contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Кожа начала колоть от холода, как будто от шипа.

  The skin started to prickle from the cold, as if from a thorn.

• Этот крем может колоть, если нанести на поврежденную кожу.

  This cream can prickle if applied to damaged skin.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'Шип' (a masculine noun in the third declension), it follows standard Russian noun patterns with changes based on case and number:

For 'Колючка' (a feminine noun, diminutive form), it is less inflected but follows feminine patterns:

• Singular: Nominative - Колючка; Genitive - Колючки
• Plural: Generally rare, but if used: Колючки (informal plural).

Note: 'Колить' as a verb is irregular; present tense: Колю, Колешь, Колет, etc., across persons.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Колючка (similar to 'prickle' but more diminutive and informal)
  • Игла (needle-like prickle, often for cacti)
  • Шипик (a very small or affectionate variant of шип)
• Antonyms:
  • Гладкий (smooth, lacking any prickles)
  • Мягкий (soft, opposite in texture)

Related Phrases:

• Острый шип - Sharp prickle (used in contexts of danger or protection)
• Колючая проволока - Barbed wire (a metaphorical extension for prickly defenses)
• Шип на ладони - Prickle on the palm (common in injury descriptions)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'шип' directly corresponds to the English 'prickle' as a noun for plant thorns, but it's more formal and precise in botanical contexts. Choose 'колючка' for everyday or diminutive uses to sound natural. Be mindful of gender agreements; 'шип' is masculine, so adjectives must agree (e.g., 'острый шип'). In sentences, it's often used with prepositions like 'на' (on) for locations. For learners, start with singular forms before tackling declensions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'шип' as feminine (e.g., saying 'шипа' instead of correctly declining it). Correct: Remember it's masculine; say 'у шипа' for genitive. Explanation: This confuses English speakers used to gender-neutral nouns.

• Error: Confusing 'шип' with 'игла' (needle), leading to misuse in plant contexts. Correct: Use 'шип' for broad thorns; example of error: "Игла на розе" (wrong), vs. "Шип на розе" (correct). Explanation: 'Игла' implies a sharper, needle-like structure, not always fitting for prickles.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, prickles like those on roses or cacti often symbolize protection or beauty with a hidden danger, as seen in folklore where thorny plants guard treasures. This reflects a broader theme in Russian literature, such as in fairy tales, where nature's prickles represent life's hardships.

Related Concepts:

• Роза (rose)
• Кактус (cactus)
• Колючка (as a related synonym)