Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'shard'

English Word: shard

Key Russian Translations:

• осколок /ɐˈskɔlək/ - [Formal, Common noun for brittle fragments]
• фрагмент /ˈfrɐɡmʲɪnt/ - [Informal, Used in technical or literary contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly encountered in everyday language, especially in descriptions of accidents or archaeology, but not as frequent as basic nouns like "дом").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level can grasp basic noun inflections, though irregular forms may require practice. For "осколок", it's straightforward; for "фрагмент", which is a loanword, it's slightly easier for English speakers.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

осколок: /ɐˈskɔlək/ (Stress on the second syllable; the "о" is pronounced as a mid-back vowel.)

фрагмент: /ˈfrɐɡmʲɪnt/ (Note the palatalized "г" sound, which can be tricky for beginners; it's similar to the "g" in "gesture".)

Note on осколок: Be mindful of the soft sign (ь) at the end, which affects pronunciation but not spelling in this case; it indicates a softened consonant in related forms.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A broken piece of a brittle artifact, such as glass, pottery, or crystal.

Translation(s) & Context:

• осколок - Used in everyday contexts for sharp, fragmented pieces, often implying danger or fragility (e.g., after an accident).
• фрагмент - Applied in more formal or scientific settings, like archaeology or art, to denote a preserved piece without emphasizing breakage.

Usage Examples:

• На полу валялся осколок разбитого стакана.

  On the floor lay a shard of a broken glass.

• Дети нашли осколок древней вазы во время прогулки в лесу.

  The children found a shard of an ancient vase during their walk in the forest.

• Этот фрагмент керамики может быть частью редкого артефакта.

  This shard of pottery might be part of a rare artifact.

• Осторожно, осколок стекла может поранить руку.

  Be careful, the glass shard could cut your hand.

• В музее выставлены фрагменты старинных мозаик.

  In the museum, shards of ancient mosaics are displayed.

Meaning 2: Figuratively, a small or broken part of something larger, like a memory or idea (less common in Russian).

Translation(s) & Context:

• осколок - Used metaphorically in literature or poetry, e.g., for fragments of memory.

Usage Examples:

• В её воспоминаниях остался лишь осколок былой радости.

  In her memories, only a shard of past joy remained.

• Этот осколок истории помогает понять прошлое.

  This shard of history helps to understand the past.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Осколок" is a masculine noun of the second declension, which follows regular patterns in Russian. It changes based on case and number. "Фрагмент" is also masculine but less inflected due to its loanword status.

Note: "Фрагмент" has more predictable changes as a loanword and is less likely to vary in informal speech.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: кусок (kusok) - More general for any piece; фрагмент (already listed as key translation, but can be a synonym in context); обломок (oblomok) - Similar to shard, often for broken parts of machinery.
• Antonyms: целое (tseloye) - Meaning "whole" or "intact"; единое (yedinoe) - Implies unity or completeness.

Brief note: "Кусок" is more neutral and everyday, while "обломок" carries a connotation of something larger that has broken.

Related Phrases:

• стеклянный осколок - A glass shard; often used in safety warnings or accident descriptions.
• осколок бомбы - A bomb shard; refers to fragments from explosions, with implications in military or historical contexts.
• фрагмент текста - A text fragment; common in literary or digital contexts, meaning a piece of writing.

Usage Notes:

The English word "shard" most directly corresponds to "осколок" in Russian, especially for physical, sharp fragments, but "фрагмент" is preferable in formal or academic settings. Be aware of context: "Осколок" implies something broken and potentially hazardous, while "фрагмент" is neutral. In speech, always consider case agreement with adjectives or verbs, e.g., "большой осколок" (big shard). For learners, choose "осколок" for everyday use and "фрагмент" for precise, technical language.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the nominative form "осколок" in all cases, e.g., saying "на осколок" instead of "на осколке" (correct genitive or prepositional form). Correct: "Я наступил на осколок" (I stepped on a shard) vs. Incorrect: "Я думаю об осколок" (should be "об осколке"). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, so pay attention to prepositions like "на" or "об".
• Error: Confusing with "кусок", leading to overuse, e.g., saying "кусок стекла" for a sharp fragment when "осколок" is more accurate. Correct: Use "осколок" for implied breakage. Explanation: "Кусок" is broader and doesn't convey the fragility or danger.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "осколок" often appear in literature and folklore to symbolize loss or remnants of the past, such as in war stories from World War II, where bomb shards represent destruction and resilience. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on historical memory and the impermanence of material things.

Related Concepts:

• разбить (razbit') - To break
• обломок (oblomok) - Fragment or remnant
• стекло (steklo) - Glass