Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'racket'

English Word: racket

Key Russian Translations:

• ракетка [rɐˈkʲetkə] - [Formal, Used in sports contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations related to sports and recreation)

Difficulty: A2 (Basic level, suitable for beginners learning common nouns)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ракетка: [rɐˈkʲetkə]

Note on ракетка: The stress is on the second syllable. The 'кʲ' represents a palatalized 'k' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the 'k' in 'cute' but softer.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A sports implement used in games like tennis or badminton (e.g., a paddle or bat)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ракетка - Used in formal and informal contexts when referring to equipment in racket sports.

Usage Examples:

• Я купил новую ракетку для тенниса. (Ya kupil novuyu raketku dlya tenisa.)

  I bought a new racket for tennis.

• Её ракетка сломалась во время матча. (Eyó raketka slomalas' vo vremya matcha.)

  Her racket broke during the match.

• В магазине есть разные типы ракеток для бадминтона. (V magazine est' raznye tipy raketok dlya badmintona.)

  In the store, there are different types of rackets for badminton.

• Он тренируется с ракеткой каждый день. (On treniruyetsya s raketkoy kazhdyy den'.)

  He practices with a racket every day.

• Ракетка должна быть легкой и удобной. (Raketka dolzhna byt' legkoy i udobnoy.)

  The racket should be light and comfortable.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

ракетка is a feminine noun in Russian (from the first declension). It follows standard noun inflection patterns for case, number, and gender. Below is a table of its inflections:

This word does not have irregular inflections, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • бита (bita) - Used specifically for bats in baseball-like contexts; implies a similar implement but with slight differences in shape.
  • палка (palka) - Informal synonym, often for makeshift rackets, but less precise.
• Antonyms:
  • мяч (myach) - Refers to a ball, the counterpart in racket sports.

Related Phrases:

• Теннисная ракетка (Tennisnaya raketka) - A tennis racket; used in discussions about specific sports equipment.
• Бадминтонная ракетка (Badmintonnaya raketka) - A badminton racket; highlights variations in racket types.
• Сменить ракетку (Smexit' raketku) - To change the racket; common in training or competitive scenarios, meaning switching equipment mid-game.

Usage Notes:

• Russian speakers often use "ракетка" in sports-related contexts, similar to "racket" in English, but ensure it aligns with the feminine gender in sentences (e.g., adjectives must agree).
• In formal writing or technical descriptions, pair it with specific modifiers like "теннисная" for clarity.
• When choosing among translations, "ракетка" is the most direct for sports equipment; avoid confusion with "рэкет" (which means racketeering or illegal activities).
• Grammar note: Always decline it according to the sentence's case to maintain agreement.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the nominative form "ракетка" in all cases, e.g., "Я иду с ракетка" instead of "Я иду с ракеткой".
  Correct: "Я иду с ракеткой" (I am going with the racket). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement; here, instrumental case is needed.
• Error: Confusing it with "рэкет" and using it for illegal activities.
  Correct: Use "рэкет" for racketeering. Explanation: These are homophones in English but distinct in Russian; misuse can lead to misunderstandings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, tennis and badminton are popular recreational activities, especially in urban areas. The word "ракетка" is commonly associated with these sports, which have grown in popularity since the Soviet era. It may evoke images of public courts in parks, reflecting communal leisure traditions.

Related Concepts:

• мяч (myach) - Ball
• спорт (sport) - Sport
• тренировка (trenirovka) - Training