Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'scrape'

English Word: scrape

Key Russian Translations:

• скрести [ˈskresʲtʲi] - [Informal, Verb]
• царапина [tsɐˈrapʲinə] - [Noun, Informal]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly used in everyday contexts like maintenance or accidents, but not as ubiquitous as basic verbs.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and noun declensions, suitable for learners with basic Russian grammar knowledge.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

скрести: [ˈskresʲtʲi]

Note on скрести: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the soft 't' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalization.

царапина: [tsɐˈrapʲinə]

Note on царапина: The ending '-ина' often indicates a feminine noun; pronounce the 'р' with a light trill for a more natural sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To remove or rub something with a sharp object, often causing a grating sound or surface damage.

Translation(s) & Context:

• скрести - Used in informal contexts for manual scraping actions, such as cleaning or repairing surfaces.

Usage Examples:

• Я скребу краску со старой двери.

  I am scraping paint off the old door.

• Он скребет землю лопатой, чтобы найти сокровища.

  He is scraping the ground with a shovel to find treasures.

• Дети скребут снег во дворе для игры.

  The children are scraping snow in the yard for a game.

• Механик скребет ржавчину с машины.

  The mechanic is scraping rust off the car.

Meaning 2: A superficial injury or mark on the skin or surface.

Translation(s) & Context:

• царапина - Commonly used for minor scratches on objects or skin, in everyday or informal conversations.

Usage Examples:

• На руке у меня царапина от кошки.

  I have a scratch on my hand from the cat.

• Эта царапина на столе от ножа.

  This scratch on the table is from a knife.

• После падения у ребенка появилась царапина на коленке.

  After the fall, the child got a scratch on their knee.

• Царапина на экране телефона не критична.

  The scratch on the phone screen isn't critical.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For скрести (a verb of the first conjugation):

This verb follows regular patterns but has irregularities in some forms. It is imperfective and can be used in various tenses.

For царапина (a feminine noun, first declension):

It declines regularly based on case and number. Singular form shown below; plural is царапины.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: соскребать (more forceful scraping), тереть (general rubbing) - соскребать implies a deeper action.
• Antonyms: наносить (to apply or add), гладить (to smooth)

Related Phrases:

• скрести по металлу - A phrase for scraping on metal, often in repair contexts; implies a noisy, effortful action.
• царапина на коже - Refers to a scratch on the skin; commonly used in medical or everyday injury descriptions.
• глубокая царапина - Means a deep scratch; highlights severity in discussions of damage.

Usage Notes:

'Scrape' as 'скрести' is a direct verb equivalent but is more informal and physical; use it in contexts involving tools or manual labor. For 'царапина', it aligns with minor injuries, similar to 'scratch' in English. Be mindful of Russian's aspect system: 'скрести' is imperfective, so pair it with perfective forms like 'соскоблить' for completed actions. In formal writing, opt for more precise synonyms if the context demands elegance.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'скрести' with 'тереть' (to rub), leading to misuse in physical contexts. Correct: Use 'скрести' for actions involving scraping with an edge, e.g., "Я скребу краску" instead of "Я тру краску". Explanation: 'тереть' is broader and doesn't imply the sharp, removal aspect.

• Error: Incorrect declension of 'царапина', such as using nominative in all cases. Correct: In genitive, say "царапины на руке" (a scratch on the hand). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, which English learners often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'царапина' are often used in everyday anecdotes about minor accidents, reflecting a pragmatic attitude toward physical mishaps. For instance, in rural or DIY contexts, 'скрести' might evoke traditional methods of tool use, harking back to historical self-reliance in Russian villages.

Related Concepts:

• Соскоб
• Травма
• Поверхность