Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'scalpel'

English Word: scalpel

Key Russian Translations:

• скальпель [skɐlʲˈpɛlʲ] - [Formal, Medical terminology]

Frequency: Low (Primarily used in specialized medical or scientific contexts; not common in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level, as it involves familiarity with technical vocabulary and basic noun declensions in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

скальпель: [skɐlʲˈpɛlʲ]

Note on скальпель: The stress falls on the second syllable ('pɛlʲ'). Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional accents, with the 'лʲ' sound being palatalized, which is a common feature in Russian consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A small, sharp knife used by surgeons for making incisions.

Translation(s) & Context:

• скальпель - Used in formal medical contexts, such as surgery or anatomical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Хирург аккуратно взял скальпель, чтобы сделать разрез.

  The surgeon carefully took the scalpel to make an incision.

• В операционной скальпель должен быть стерильным для предотвращения инфекций.

  In the operating room, the scalpel must be sterile to prevent infections.

• Молодой врач практиковался в использовании скальпеля на манекене.

  The young doctor practiced using the scalpel on a mannequin.

• Скальпель — это основной инструмент в микрохирургии для точных операций.

  The scalpel is a primary tool in microsurgery for precise operations.

• Во время урока анатомии студенты узнали, как правильно держать скальпель.

  During the anatomy lesson, students learned how to hold the scalpel correctly.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Скальпель" is a masculine noun (masc.) in Russian, belonging to the third declension group. It follows standard patterns for inanimate nouns but has no irregularities. Below is a table showing its basic declensions:

Note: This noun does not change in the plural form for some cases if used in a general sense, but the above represents standard usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • хирургический нож (khirurgicheskiy nozh) - A more general term for a surgical knife, often used interchangeably but slightly less specific.
  • скальпельный нож (skal'pel'nyy nozh) - Emphasizes the knife aspect, used in contexts where precision is highlighted.
• Antonyms: Not applicable, as "scalpel" is a specific tool without direct opposites in Russian medical terminology.

Related Phrases:

• стерильный скальпель (steril'nyy skal'pel') - A sterile scalpel; used in surgical preparation to emphasize hygiene.
• острый скальпель (ostryy skal'pel') - A sharp scalpel; refers to the tool's condition for effective use.
• скальпель для микрохирургии (skal'pel' dlya mikrokhirurgii) - Scalpel for microsurgery; a phrase highlighting specialized applications.

Usage Notes:

"Скальпель" directly corresponds to the English "scalpel" as a precise medical instrument. It is always used in formal, professional contexts such as medicine, education, or scientific writing. Avoid using it in casual conversation, as it may sound out of place. When choosing between synonyms like "хирургический нож," opt for "скальпель" when specificity is needed. Grammatically, remember to decline it according to Russian case requirements, especially in sentences involving possession or direction (e.g., "с скальпелем" for "with the scalpel").

Common Errors:

• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., using "скальпель" in the genitive case as "скальпель" instead of "скальпеля." Correct: "Я взял скальпеля" should be "Я взял скальпель" (accusative), but for genitive, say "от скальпеля" meaning "from the scalpel." Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, so learners often forget to change endings based on sentence structure.

• Error: Mispronouncing the palatalized 'лʲ' sound, making it sound like a standard 'l'. Correct: Practice [skɐlʲˈpɛlʲ] to ensure the soft consonant is audible. Explanation: This is a common issue for English speakers unfamiliar with Russian phonetics, leading to misunderstandings in professional settings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and medical history, the scalpel symbolizes precision and advancement in surgery, often referenced in literature and films about Soviet-era medicine. For instance, it appears in works by authors like Mikhail Bulgakov, highlighting the human element in medical practice, but it doesn't carry unique cultural idioms beyond its practical use.

Related Concepts:

• пинцет (pintset) - Tweezers, another common surgical tool.
• шприц (shprits) - Syringe, related to medical procedures.
• скальпельный набор (skal'pel'nyy nabor) - Scalpel set, expanding on the tool's ecosystem.