Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sellotape'

English Word: sellotape

Key Russian Translations:

• скотч /skotʃ/ - [Informal, Commonly used for everyday adhesive tape]
• скотч-лента /skotʃ-lɛnta/ - [More specific, Informal, Used when emphasizing the tape form]
• клейкая лента /ˈklejkəjə ˈlɛnta/ - [Formal, Neutral, Preferred in professional or descriptive contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered regularly in daily conversations about household items, but not as frequently as basic vocabulary like "paper" or "pen".)

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary level per CEFR; easy for beginners due to simple borrowing from English, but "скотч" may require attention to pronunciation. For "клейкая лента", difficulty remains A2 as it follows basic noun structures.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

скотч: /skotʃ/ (The "ч" sound is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to the "ch" in "loch".)

скотч-лента: /skotʃ-lɛnta/ (Stress on the first syllable; "лента" rhymes with "fanta".)

клейкая лента: /ˈklejkəjə ˈlɛnta/ (The adjective "клейкая" has stress on the first syllable; practice the soft "й" sound for accuracy.)

Note on скотч: This is a borrowed word, so pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, but be cautious of the hard "тч" cluster, which can vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Main meaning: Adhesive or transparent tape used for sticking items together.

Translation(s) & Context:

• скотч - Used in casual, everyday contexts, such as wrapping gifts or fixing items at home.
• скотч-лента - Applied in scenarios needing specificity, like office supplies or DIY projects.
• клейкая лента - Preferred in formal writing or technical descriptions, such as in manuals or educational settings.

Usage Examples:

• Я использую скотч, чтобы заклеить коробку. (Ya ispol'zuyu skotch, chtoby zakleyit' korobku.)

  I use sellotape to seal the box. (This example shows the word in a simple declarative sentence for everyday tasks.)

• Купи скотч-ленту в магазине, она нужна для ремонта. (Kupi skotch-lentu v magazine, ona nuzhna dlya remonta.)

  Buy sellotape in the store; it's needed for the repair. (Illustrates the word in an imperative context with a purpose clause.)

• Эта клейкая лента не держит, как скотч. (Eta kleikaya lenta ne derzhit, kak skotch.)

  This adhesive tape doesn't hold as well as sellotape. (Compares translations, showing contrast in a descriptive sentence.)

• В офисе всегда есть скотч для документов. (V ofise vsegda yest' skotch dlya dokumentov.)

  In the office, there's always sellotape for documents. (Demonstrates usage in a professional setting with possessive structures.)

• Дети любят играть со скотчем, но будь осторожен. (Deti lyubyat igrat' so skotchem, no bud' ostorozhen.)

  Children love playing with sellotape, but be careful. (Shows informal, playful context with an advisory clause.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Скотч" is a masculine noun (borrowed from English) and typically does not inflect irregularly, but it follows standard Russian patterns for a consonant-ending word:

For "скотч-лента", it is a compound noun: "скотч" inflects as above, and "лента" (feminine) inflects regularly (e.g., Genitive: скотч-ленты). "Клейкая лента" is an adjective-noun pair; "клейкая" agrees with "лента" in gender, number, and case (e.g., Genitive: клейкой ленты).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • липкая лента (Similar to "клейкая лента", but emphasizes stickiness; used interchangeably in casual speech.)
  • изолента (Specifically for electrical tape, with a slight industrial connotation.)
• Antonyms: Not applicable, as "sellotape" refers to a specific item without direct opposites. However, related concepts might include "отклеивающийся" (detaching), but this is not a direct antonym.

Related Phrases:

• Заклеить скотчем (Zakleyit' skotchem) - To seal or stick with tape; used for wrapping or fixing.
• Скотч для упаковки (Skotch dlya upakovki) - Tape for packaging; common in shipping contexts.
• Липкая лента как скотч (Lipkaya lenta kak skotch) - Sticky tape like sellotape; for comparisons in descriptions.

Usage Notes:

"Скотч" is the most direct and informal equivalent to "sellotape" in Russian, often used in spoken language due to its borrowed status. It's best for everyday scenarios, while "клейкая лента" is more formal and descriptive, suitable for written instructions or professional settings. English learners should note that Russian nouns require case agreement, so "скотч" changes form based on context (e.g., "с скотчем" for "with sellotape"). When choosing between translations, opt for "скотч" in casual speech and "клейкая лента" in technical contexts to match the appropriate register.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "скотч" as a feminine noun (e.g., saying "скотча" incorrectly in contexts where it should be masculine). Correct: Remember it's masculine, so use forms like "скотч" in nominative. Example of error: "Я взяла скотча" (incorrect inflection); Correct: "Я взял скотч" (for masculine agreement).
• Mistake: Confusing "скотч" with "скот" (meaning cattle). Correct: In context, pronunciation and usage clarify, but always specify if needed. Example of error: "Купи скот для ремонта" (wrong word); Correct: "Купи скотч для ремонта".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "скотч" is a practical everyday item, often associated with DIY projects, gift-wrapping during holidays like New Year's, or quick fixes in homes. It's a borrowed word reflecting global influence, but Russians might prefer domestic brands over the original Sellotape, highlighting a cultural adaptation of foreign products into daily life.

Related Concepts:

• клей (kley) - Glue
• лента (lenta) - Tape (general)
• упаковка (upakovka) - Packaging