Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'saucer'

English Word: saucer

Key Russian Translations:

• блюдце [ˈblʲudʲtsə] - [Neutral; commonly used for everyday household items like cup holders]
• летающая тарелка [lʲɪˈtajuʂʲijə tɐˈrʲelkə] - [Informal; used in contexts related to science fiction or UFOs]

Frequency: Medium; "блюдце" is frequently encountered in daily conversations about dining or household items, while "летающая тарелка" is less common but appears in popular culture.

Difficulty: A1 for "блюдце" (Beginner level, as it's a basic neuter noun); B1 for "летающая тарелка" (Intermediate, due to compound phrase structure).

Pronunciation (Russian):

блюдце: [ˈblʲudʲtsə]

летающая тарелка: [lʲɪˈtajuʂʲijə tɐˈrʲelkə]

Note on блюдце: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'л' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Variations in informal speech may soften the ending.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A small shallow dish on which a cup is placed (e.g., for tea or coffee).

Translation(s) & Context:

• блюдце - Used in everyday domestic contexts, such as setting a table or describing kitchenware; neutral and formal in standard Russian.

Usage Examples:

• Я поставил чашку на блюдце, чтобы не пролить чай.

  I placed the cup on the saucer to avoid spilling the tea.

• В нашем сервизе есть красивые блюдца для кофейных чашек.

  In our tea set, there are beautiful saucers for coffee cups.

• Блюдце под чашкой предотвращает царапины на столе.

  The saucer under the cup prevents scratches on the table.

• Дети любят есть печенье с блюдца.

  Children like to eat cookies from the saucer.

Meaning 2: A flying saucer or UFO (informal or metaphorical use).

Translation(s) & Context:

• летающая тарелка - Used in science fiction, jokes, or casual discussions about extraterrestrial phenomena; informal and often playful.

Usage Examples:

• В фильме показывают, как летающая тарелка приземляется на Земле.

  In the movie, they show a flying saucer landing on Earth.

• Мой друг верит, что видел летающую тарелку в небе прошлой ночью.

  My friend believes he saw a flying saucer in the sky last night.

• Летающая тарелка в этой истории символизирует неизвестное.

  The flying saucer in this story symbolizes the unknown.

• Дети рисуют летающие тарелки в своих фантастических рисунках.

  Children draw flying saucers in their fantastical drawings.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "блюдце" (a neuter noun in the third declension), it follows standard Russian noun inflections. It is a diminutive form and can change based on case and number.

For "летающая тарелка" (a phrase with an adjective and noun), inflections apply mainly to "тарелка" (feminine noun): e.g., летающую тарелку (accusative). It does not have irregular forms but follows standard adjective-noun agreement.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • тарелочка - A smaller or more affectionate variant, often used for cute or childlike contexts.
  • подставка для чашки - More descriptive, emphasizing function in formal or technical descriptions.
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as "saucer" is a specific object. However, opposites in context might include larger dishes like "большая тарелка" (large plate).

Related Phrases:

• чайное блюдце - A saucer specifically for tea; used in traditional Russian tea-drinking culture.
• кофейное блюдце - A saucer for coffee cups; common in modern dining settings.
• летающая тарелка в небе - A flying saucer in the sky; often in stories or jokes about aliens.

Usage Notes:

"Блюдце" directly corresponds to the everyday English "saucer" for cups and is neutral in most contexts, making it suitable for both formal and informal use. For the UFO meaning, "летающая тарелка" is a literal translation and is best used in playful or narrative scenarios; avoid it in serious scientific discussions. When choosing between translations, opt for "блюдце" in household contexts and consider grammatical gender (neuter) for sentence agreement. English learners should note that Russian nouns require case changes, which can affect prepositions and verbs.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "блюдце" with "тарелка" (plate): Incorrect: "Я ем с блюдца" (implying eating from a saucer, which is odd). Correct: "Я ем с тарелки" for a plate, but use "блюдце" only for under a cup. Explanation: "Блюдце" is specifically for cups, so misuse can sound unnatural in Russian.
• Overusing diminutive forms: Incorrect: Treating "блюдце" as always diminutive in formal writing. Correct: In professional contexts, stick to standard forms without assuming cuteness. Explanation: While "блюдце" is inherently diminutive, it doesn't always imply affection, unlike in English.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "блюдце" is often associated with traditional tea ceremonies, where samovars and delicate saucers are part of hospitality. This reflects a historical emphasis on communal meals, dating back to 19th-century customs, symbolizing warmth and domesticity.

Related Concepts:

• чашка (cup)
• тарелка (plate)
• самовар (samovar, often used with saucers in tea traditions)