Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sack'

English Word: sack

Key Russian Translations:

• мешок [mʲɪˈʂok] - [Informal, Common for rough bags]
• сумка [ˈsumkə] - [Formal, Often for more structured bags]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in everyday contexts like shopping or storage, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level can grasp basic noun forms, but inflections and contextual usage may require practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мешок: [mʲɪˈʂok] (The 'ш' sound is a soft, retroflex fricative; stress on the second syllable.)

сумка: [ˈsumkə] (The 'у' is pronounced like 'oo' in "book"; stress on the first syllable.)

Note on мешок: Be cautious with the palatalized 'мʲ' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers; it softens the preceding consonant.

Note on сумка: This word has a straightforward pronunciation, but in fast speech, the final 'a' may reduce to a schwa sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A large bag made of rough material, used for carrying or storing items.

Translation(s) & Context:

• мешок - Used in informal, everyday contexts like farming or shopping for bulk items.
• сумка - Used in more formal or urban settings, such as for handbags or organized storage.

Usage Examples:

• Я положил яблоки в мешок и отнёс на рынок.

  I put the apples in the sack and took them to the market.

• Эта старая сумка служит мне для хранения инструментов.

  This old sack serves me for storing tools.

• Мешок с мукой был слишком тяжёлым, чтобы поднять.

  The sack of flour was too heavy to lift.

• В сумке я ношу одежду для пикника.

  In the sack, I carry clothes for the picnic.

• Дети играли с большим мешком листьев в саду.

  The children played with a big sack of leaves in the garden.

Meaning 2: To dismiss someone from a job (informal usage in English).

Translation(s) & Context:

• уволить - Used in professional or formal contexts when referring to job termination.

Usage Examples:

• Компания решила уволить нескольких сотрудников из-за кризиса.

  The company decided to sack several employees due to the crisis.

• Его уволили без предупреждения, что было большим шоком.

  He was sacked without warning, which was a big shock.

• Менеджер уволил работника за постоянные опоздания.

  The manager sacked the employee for constant lateness.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'мешок' (a masculine noun), it follows standard Russian noun declension patterns. It is a third-declension noun and changes based on case and number.

For 'сумка' (a feminine noun), it is invariable in some forms but follows first-declension patterns:

For 'уволить' (a verb), it is irregular in conjugation. Base form: уволить (to sack). Conjugations vary by tense and person, e.g., present: увольняет (he/she sacks).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: сумка (bag, more formal), пакет (bag, for plastic or paper bags) - Note: пакет is often used for disposable bags, differing slightly in context from мешок.
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as these are nouns; for the verb 'уволить', an antonym could be нанять [naimit'] (to hire).

Related Phrases:

• В мешке - In the sack (Used for describing contents, e.g., in storage contexts).
• Сумка с вещами - Sack with things (Common in travel or packing scenarios; implies a bag full of items).
• Уволить с работы - To sack from work (A fixed phrase for job termination, often in formal discussions).

Usage Notes:

'Sack' in English can translate to multiple Russian words depending on context: use 'мешок' for rough, utilitarian bags and 'сумка' for more everyday or fashionable ones. 'Уволить' is the best match for the employment sense but is more formal. Be mindful of gender and case in Russian sentences—e.g., always adjust adjectives and verbs accordingly. For beginners, start with nominative forms before exploring inflections.

• Contextual choice: Opt for 'мешок' in rural or informal settings, but 'сумка' in urban ones to sound more natural.
• Grammar tip: Russian nouns like these require agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying words.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'мешок' and 'сумка', using 'мешок' in formal contexts where 'сумка' is more appropriate. For example:

• Incorrect: Я взял мешок для документов. (This sounds odd, as 'мешок' implies a rough bag.)
• Correct: Я взял сумку для документов. (Explanation: 'Сумка' is better for organized items like documents.)
• Another error: Misconjugating 'уволить' in past tense, e.g., saying 'уволил' incorrectly in a sentence without proper aspect agreement.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'мешок' often evokes images of traditional rural life, such as in folktales where characters carry goods in sacks. This contrasts with modern urban life, where 'сумка' is more common, reflecting practicality in everyday scenarios. No strong historical connotations for 'уволить', but job security discussions in Russia can tie into broader cultural attitudes toward employment stability.

Related Concepts:

• пакет (bag, for shopping)
• рюкзак (backpack)
• увольнение (dismissal)