Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sawdust'

English Word: sawdust

Key Russian Translations:

• опилки /ɐˈpʲilkʲi/ - [Plural, Informal; commonly used in everyday contexts related to woodworking]

Frequency: Medium (This word is not everyday vocabulary but appears in specific contexts like construction, environmental discussions, or crafts; it's moderately common in written Russian texts about industry.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners need to understand basic noun declensions and plural forms, but the word itself follows standard patterns in Russian grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

опилки: /ɐˈpʲilkʲi/

Note on опилки: The pronunciation features a soft 'л' sound (/lʲ/), which can be challenging for English speakers accustomed to harder consonants. Stress is on the second syllable, and the 'и' at the end is pronounced as a short 'ee'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The fine particles of wood produced by sawing.

Translation(s) & Context:

• опилки - Used in contexts related to woodworking, waste materials, or environmental issues; it's a straightforward plural noun without direct singular equivalents in common usage.

Usage Examples:

• В мастерской на полу валялись опилки от свежей пиловки дерева.

  In the workshop, sawdust from freshly sawed wood was scattered on the floor.

• Опилки часто используются в садоводстве для улучшения почвы.

  Sawdust is often used in gardening to improve soil quality.

• После ремонта в доме пришлось убирать опилки из всех углов.

  After the renovation in the house, we had to clean up sawdust from all the corners.

• В фабрике опилки перерабатывают в экологически чистые материалы.

  At the factory, sawdust is recycled into eco-friendly materials.

• Дети играли в опилки, pretending, что это снег в летний день.

  The children played in the sawdust, pretending it was snow on a summer day.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Опилки" is a plural noun in Russian, derived from "опилок" (a less common singular form), and it belongs to the first declension group for feminine nouns. It follows standard patterns for plural nouns but is rarely used in singular outside technical contexts. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is invariant in number for most practical uses, as "опилки" is the default plural form. It does not change for gender since it's neuter in singular but treated as plural in common speech.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: щепа (shchepa - wood chips; used for larger fragments, often in industrial contexts), стружка (struzhka - wood shavings; implies finer particles but can be interchangeable in some cases)
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "опилки" describes a specific material rather than a quality.

Related Phrases:

• опилки от пиления - Sawdust from sawing; used in discussions about woodworking processes.
• собрать опилки - To collect sawdust; common in contexts of cleaning or recycling.
• опилки в саду - Sawdust in the garden; refers to using it as mulch or soil amendment.

Usage Notes:

"Опилки" directly corresponds to "sawdust" in English, serving as a precise translation for the fine wood particles produced by cutting or sawing. It is typically used in informal or technical contexts and is always plural in everyday Russian. Be mindful of case endings when using it in sentences; for example, in genitive constructions like "из опилок" (from sawdust). If multiple translations are available, choose "опилки" for general purposes, but "щепа" if referring to larger chips. This word doesn't carry regional variations but is more common in rural or industrial Russian dialects.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the singular form "опилок" incorrectly in place of the plural. For example, learners might say "Это опилок" instead of "Это опилки". Correct: "Это опилки" (This is sawdust). Explanation: Russian nouns like this are predominantly plural, and forcing a singular can sound unnatural or incorrect.

• Error: Confusing it with "щепа" and using it interchangeably without context. For example, saying "опилки" for larger wood pieces. Correct: Use "щепа" for chunks. Explanation: While related, "опилки" specifically means fine dust, so precision in vocabulary avoids misunderstandings in technical discussions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "опилки" is often associated with traditional woodworking and rural life, evoking images of craftsmen in villages or Soviet-era factories. It's sometimes referenced in folklore or literature as a symbol of humble, everyday materials, but it doesn't carry deep symbolic connotations like some other words. Environmentally, there's growing awareness in modern Russia about recycling sawdust for sustainable practices, reflecting broader ecological movements.

Related Concepts:

• дерево (derevo - wood)
• пилорама (pilorama - sawmill)
• экология (ekologiya - ecology)