Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'rake'

English Word: rake

Key Russian Translations:

• гребок [ɡrʲɪˈbok] - [Formal, Noun; Used in contexts related to gardening or tools]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language related to tools and outdoor activities, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions, suitable for learners with basic grammar knowledge)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гребок: [ɡrʲɪˈbok]

Note on гребок: The initial 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, similar to the 'g' in "go" but softer. Stress falls on the second syllable, which is common in Russian nouns.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A gardening tool used for gathering leaves, soil, or debris.

Translation(s) & Context:

• гребок - Used in formal or practical contexts, such as gardening, farming, or tool descriptions. It refers specifically to a handheld rake.

Usage Examples:

• Я взял гребок и начал убирать листья в саду.

  I took the rake and started gathering leaves in the garden.

• В гараже лежит старый гребок, который нужно починить.

  There's an old rake in the garage that needs to be fixed.

• Осенью гребок становится indispensable для уборки двора.

  In the fall, a rake becomes indispensable for cleaning the yard.

• Дети помогали отцу с гребком в парке.

  The children helped their father with the rake in the park.

• Без гребка трудно поддерживать газон в порядке.

  Without a rake, it's hard to keep the lawn in order.

Meaning 2: (If applicable, e.g., metaphorical or slang use) To rake as in searching or gathering metaphorically (less common for this word).

Translation(s) & Context:

• грести (verb form, though not direct) - Informal; Used in extended contexts like "raking through memories," but 'rake' as a noun is rare here.

Usage Examples:

• Он гребком перебирал старые документы, как будто искал сокровища.

  He was raking through old documents as if searching for treasures.

• В этой фразе гребок символизирует тщательный поиск.

  In this phrase, the rake symbolizes a thorough search.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Гребок" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows standard patterns for inanimate masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: The word is regular and does not have irregular inflections, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • скребок (skrebok) - Similar tool, often used interchangeably in broader contexts.
  • вилы (vily) - For fork-like rakes, with a slight difference in design.
• Antonyms:
  • None directly applicable, as 'rake' is a specific tool. However, in metaphorical use, something like "игнорировать" (ignorirovat', to ignore) could contrast with gathering.

Related Phrases:

• Гребок для листьев - A rake for leaves; Common in autumn maintenance contexts.
• Уборка с гребком - Cleaning with a rake; Refers to manual yard work.
• Гребок в саду - Rake in the garden; A basic phrase for tool placement.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "гребок" directly corresponds to the English "rake" as a noun for a gardening tool, but it's less commonly used in everyday conversation compared to English. It's typically formal or practical, so avoid it in casual slang. When choosing between translations like "гребок" and "скребок," opt for "гребок" for handheld rakes. Grammatically, always decline it according to the sentence's case, e.g., use genitive "гребка" after prepositions like "без" (without). This helps maintain natural flow in Russian sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "гребок" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я взял гребок" in a context requiring genitive, like "Я взял без гребок" (incorrect; should be "без гребка").

  Correct: "Я взял без гребка" - Explanation: Russian requires nouns to change form based on case; not declining can make the sentence sound unnatural or grammatically wrong.

• Error: Confusing "гребок" with "гребень" (a comb for hair), leading to misuse in contexts.

  Correct: Use "гребок" only for tools; "гребень" for personal care items. - Explanation: These words look similar but have distinct meanings, so context is key to avoid mix-ups.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, tools like the "гребок" are often associated with rural or dacha (country house) life, reflecting the importance of gardening and self-sufficiency in Russian traditions. It's commonly featured in literature and folklore as a symbol of hard work and seasonal routines, such as preparing for winter.

Related Concepts:

• лопата (lopata) - Shovel
• вилы (vily) - Fork (tool)
• садовый инвентарь (sadovyy inventar') - Gardening equipment