Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'saw'

English Word: saw

Key Russian Translations:

• пила [ˈpʲilə] - [Noun, for the tool; Informal]
• пилить [ˈpʲilʲitʲ] - [Verb; can be used in various contexts, such as literal cutting; Informal]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations are commonly encountered in everyday contexts like tools, construction, or DIY, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level can grasp the basic forms and usage, but mastering inflections may require practice. For 'пила' as a noun: B1; for 'пилить' as a verb: B2 due to conjugation variations.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пила: [ˈpʲilə]

Note on пила: The stress is on the first syllable. Be mindful of the palatalized 'л' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

пилить: [ˈpʲilʲitʲ]

Note on пилить: This is an infinitive form; pronunciation may vary slightly in conjugated forms. The 'й' adds a soft, gliding sound. Audio playback can help with nuances.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A tool used for cutting wood or other materials (Noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пила - Used in everyday contexts for tools, such as in woodworking or construction; Informal or neutral language.

Usage Examples:

• Я взял пилу, чтобы разрезать доску. (Ya vzial pilu, chtoby razrezat dosku.)

  I took the saw to cut the board. (This example shows the noun in a simple, practical context.)

• В гараже лежит старая пила. (V garazhe lezhit staraya pila.)

  There's an old saw in the garage. (Illustrates possession and location in a casual setting.)

• Пила в этом наборе очень острая. (Pila v etom nabore ochen' ostraya.)

  The saw in this set is very sharp. (Demonstrates attributive use with adjectives.)

• Без пилы невозможно построить дом. (Bez pilы nevozmozhno postroit' dom.)

  Without a saw, it's impossible to build a house. (Shows the noun in a hypothetical or essential context.)

Meaning 2: To cut something using a saw (Verb)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пилить - Used for the action of cutting with a saw; can be literal or metaphorical in informal speech, such as in frustrations (e.g., "пилить" something endlessly).

Usage Examples:

• Он пилит дерево в саду. (On pilit derevo v sadu.)

  He is sawing the tree in the garden. (This shows the verb in present tense for ongoing action.)

• Мы будем пилить доски для забора. (My budem pilit doski dlya zabora.)

  We will saw the boards for the fence. (Illustrates future tense in a planning context.)

• Не пилите эту ветку, она полезная! (Ne pilite etu vetku, ona poleznaya!)

  Don't saw this branch, it's useful! (Demonstrates imperative form for commands.)

• Она пилит металл уже час. (Ona pilit metall uzhe chas.)

  She has been sawing the metal for an hour. (Shows continuous action in past tense.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'пила' (noun, feminine): This is a first-declension noun with regular inflections. It changes based on case and number.

For 'пилить' (verb, imperfective): This is a first-conjugation verb with regular patterns. It conjugates based on tense, person, and number. Example in present tense:

Note: The verb has an aspectual pair (perfective: отпилить), but 'пилить' is the base form and does not change irregularly.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Для 'пила' (noun): ножовка (nozhovka) - A type of saw, more specific to handsaws.
  • Для 'пилить' (verb): резать (rezat') - General cutting, but less specific to sawing; often used interchangeably in informal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • Для 'пилить': склеивать (skleivat') - To glue or join, opposite of cutting.

Related Phrases:

• Пила по дереву (Pila po derevu) - A saw for wood; refers to a specialized tool.
• Пилить дрова (Pil'it' dрова) - To saw firewood; common in rural or outdoor contexts.
• Не торопись пилить (Ne toropis' pil'it') - Don't rush to saw; an idiomatic expression meaning don't act hastily.

Usage Notes:

The English word 'saw' corresponds closely to 'пила' as a noun and 'пилить' as a verb in Russian, but remember that Russian nouns must agree in case, number, and gender, which 'пила' does as a feminine noun. For verbs like 'пилить', aspect is crucial—use the imperfective for ongoing actions. In formal writing, opt for more precise terms if needed, and avoid 'пилить' in metaphorical senses (e.g., nagging) unless in casual conversation. When choosing between translations, use 'пила' for the tool and 'пилить' for the action, based on context.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'пила' in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я имею пила" instead of "Я имею пилу" (for accusative case).

  Correct: Я имею пилу. (Explanation: Russian requires accusative for direct objects, so adjust based on sentence structure.)

• Error: Conjugating 'пилить' incorrectly, e.g., saying "Я пилит" instead of "Я пилю".

  Correct: Я пилю. (Explanation: First-person singular requires '-ю' ending; this is a common mistake for English speakers unfamiliar with verb endings.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, tools like 'пила' are often associated with traditional craftsmanship and dacha (country house) activities. The verb 'пилить' can metaphorically mean "to nag" in informal speech (e.g., a spouse complaining), reflecting cultural humor about domestic life, as seen in folklore and modern media.

Related Concepts:

• Ножовка (nozhovka) - Handsaw
• Резать (rezat') - To cut
• Инструменты (instrumenty) - Tools