Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'rifle'

English Word: rifle

Key Russian Translations:

• винтовка [vʲɪnˈtovkə] - [Formal, used in military or technical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in discussions of military history, hunting, or firearms, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and vocabulary related to weapons, as per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

винтовка: [vʲɪnˈtovkə]

Note on винтовка: The stress is on the second syllable ('tov'). Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects, with the 'в' sound being soft.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The firearm (a long-barreled gun with a rifled bore)

Translation(s) & Context:

• винтовка - Used in formal, military, or historical contexts to refer to a rifle as a specific type of weapon.

Usage Examples:

• В армии солдаты обучаются стрельбе из винтовки.

  In the army, soldiers are trained to shoot with a rifle.

• Эта старая винтовка была использована в Великой Отечественной войне.

  This old rifle was used in the Great Patriotic War.

• Охотники предпочитают винтовку для точной стрельбы на дальние расстояния.

  Hunters prefer a rifle for accurate shooting at long distances.

• В музее выставлена коллекция винтовок разных эпох.

  In the museum, there is a collection of rifles from different eras.

• Современные винтовки оснащены оптическими прицелами для повышения точности.

  Modern rifles are equipped with optical sights to improve accuracy.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Винтовка" is a feminine noun in Russian, which means it follows the standard declension patterns for first-declension nouns. It is not irregular but requires attention to cases and numbers.

Note: This noun does not have any irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ружье (more general term for gun; often used interchangeably but less specific to rifled weapons)
  • карабин (carbine; similar but typically shorter-barreled)
• Antonyms:
  • пистолет (pistol; a handheld firearm as opposed to a long-barreled one)

Related Phrases:

• Автоматическая винтовка - An automatic rifle; used in modern military contexts.
• Снайперская винтовка - A sniper rifle; refers to precision long-range weapons.
• Охотничья винтовка - A hunting rifle; commonly used in recreational or professional hunting.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "винтовка" precisely corresponds to "rifle" in English as a long-barreled firearm with rifling. It is typically used in formal or technical language, such as military discussions, and is less common in casual conversation. When choosing between synonyms like "ружье," opt for "винтовка" if emphasizing the rifled aspect. Grammatically, always decline it according to the sentence's case to avoid errors. For example, in possessive constructions, use the genitive form.

• Be cautious with context: In historical texts, it may refer to older models, while in modern usage, it implies contemporary firearms.
• Multiple translations: If the context is more general, "ружье" might be a better fit, but for specificity, stick with "винтовка."

Common Errors:

One common mistake for English learners is failing to decline "винтовка" correctly in sentences. For example, learners might say "Я имею винтовка" (incorrect) instead of "Я имею винтовку" (correct, accusative case). Another error is confusing it with "пистолет," leading to misuse in descriptions of weapons. Correct usage: Always check the case—e.g., "С винтовкой" (with a rifle, instrumental case) versus the incorrect "С винтовка."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, rifles like the Mosin-Nagant (known as "трехлинейная винтовка") hold significant historical importance, symbolizing the country's military heritage from wars such as World War II. They are often featured in literature, films, and museums, evoking themes of defense and resilience.

Related Concepts:

• пистолет
• пулемёт
• оружие