Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'scythe'

English Word: scythe

Key Russian Translations:

• коса /ˈko.sə/ - [Noun, Feminine, Singular; used in general contexts for the agricultural tool]

Frequency: Medium (Common in rural or historical contexts, but less frequent in everyday modern conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; involves basic noun declensions, which may require familiarity with Russian grammar rules)

Pronunciation (Russian):

коса: /ˈko.sə/ (The stress is on the first syllable; the 'o' is pronounced as in 'go', and the final 'a' is a soft schwa sound)

Note on коса: Be cautious with the soft 's' sound, which can be subtle for English speakers; it’s similar to the 's' in 'measure'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The agricultural tool used for cutting grass, crops, or weeds by hand.

Translation(s) & Context:

• коса - Used in contexts related to farming, history, or folklore; common in rural settings or discussions about traditional tools.

Usage Examples:

• Он использует косу, чтобы скосить траву в саду.

  He uses a scythe to cut the grass in the garden. (This example shows the verb in a simple present tense, demonstrating the tool in a practical, everyday rural context.)

• В музее выставлена старая коса из XIX века.

  In the museum, there is an old scythe from the 19th century. (Here, the noun is used in a historical or cultural context, highlighting its nominative form.)

• Крестьяне в деревне точат косы перед уборкой урожая.

  The peasants in the village sharpen their scythes before harvesting the crops. (This illustrates the plural form and prepositional usage in a traditional agricultural scenario.)

• Её коса была слишком тупой для работы на поле.

  Her scythe was too dull for work in the field. (This example uses the feminine possessive form, reflecting the gender of the noun.)

• Дети учились пользоваться косой под присмотром деда.

  The children were learning to use the scythe under their grandfather's supervision. (This shows the noun in an instrumental case, in a familial or educational context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"коса" is a feminine noun of the first declension. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: серп (sickle; used for similar cutting tasks but typically for smaller crops), жатка (harvester; more modern tool for cutting grain)
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "коса" is a specific tool; however, in broader contexts, modern machinery like комбайн (combine harvester) could be seen as an opposite in terms of technology.

Related Phrases:

• заточить косу - To sharpen the scythe (a common phrase in agricultural preparation, emphasizing maintenance of tools).
• косить траву косой - To mow the grass with a scythe (a straightforward expression for manual labor in fields).
• старая коса - Old scythe (often used in historical or nostalgic contexts, referring to traditional farming).

Usage Notes:

"коса" directly corresponds to "scythe" in English as a handheld agricultural tool. It is typically used in formal or neutral contexts, such as literature, history, or rural discussions. Note that in modern Russian, this word may carry a somewhat archaic connotation due to the prevalence of machinery. When choosing between translations, "коса" is the most precise for the tool, while "серп" might be confused with it but refers to a smaller sickle. Always consider the grammatical gender (feminine) when constructing sentences, as it affects adjectives and verbs.

• In phrases, ensure correct case usage; for example, in instrumental case for actions involving the tool.
• Avoid using it in urban or high-tech contexts where more modern terms are preferred.

Common Errors:

English learners often mistake the genitive form, using "коса" instead of "косы" in possessive contexts. For example:

• Incorrect: Я видел коса в поле. (This incorrectly uses the nominative where genitive is needed.)
• Correct: Я видел косы в поле. (Proper genitive form for "of the scythe" or in certain phrases.)
• Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so pay attention to the sentence structure to avoid such errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the "коса" symbolizes traditional rural life and is often depicted in folklore, literature (e.g., in works by Tolstoy), and historical narratives. It represents hard manual labor and the agrarian past of Russia, evoking nostalgia for pre-industrial times. In some regions, it is still used in festivals or as a cultural artifact, highlighting the connection between people and the land.

Related Concepts:

• серп (sickle)
• жатка (harvester)
• полевые работы (field work)