Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sheath'

English Word: sheath

Key Russian Translations:

• ножны [ˈnoʒnɨ] - [Formal, Plural, Used in historical or military contexts]
• оболочка [ɐbɐˈɫoʧkə] - [General, Formal, Refers to protective coverings in scientific or everyday contexts]
• чехол [ˈʧexəl] - [Informal, Common in modern usage for protective cases like phone covers]

Frequency: Medium (The word 'sheath' and its translations are not everyday terms but appear in specific contexts like literature, history, or technology.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; basic understanding of Russian noun declensions and vocabulary is required. For 'ножны', it's more challenging due to its plural-only form; for 'оболочка' and 'чехол', it's straightforward for intermediate learners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ножны: [ˈnoʒnɨ]

Note on ножны: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'ж' sound is a soft palatal fricative, which can be tricky for English speakers. It's typically pronounced with a soft 'n' ending in plural forms.

оболочка: [ɐbɐˈɫoʧkə]

Note on оболочка: The 'о' in the second syllable is reduced in fast speech, common in Russian unstressed vowels. Pay attention to the soft 'ч' sound.

чехол: [ˈʧexəl]

Note on чехол: The initial 'ч' is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to 'ch' in 'church'. The word is invariant in most forms.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A protective cover for a blade or weapon, such as a sword sheath

Translation(s) & Context:

• ножны - Used in historical, literary, or military contexts, often implying something archaic or ceremonial.

Usage Examples:

• Он осторожно вложил меч в ножны после битвы.

  He carefully put the sword into the sheath after the battle.

• В музее выставлены древние ножны с инкрустацией.

  In the museum, ancient sheaths with inlays are on display.

• Солдат всегда носит ножны на поясе для защиты клинка.

  The soldier always wears the sheath on his belt to protect the blade.

• Эти ножны сделаны из кожи и украшены металлическими пластинами.

  These sheaths are made of leather and decorated with metal plates.

Meaning 2: A protective covering or case for an object, like in biology or everyday items

Translation(s) & Context:

• оболочка - Used in scientific or technical contexts, such as biological sheaths or protective layers.
• чехол - Common in modern, informal contexts for items like phone cases or protective sleeves.

Usage Examples:

• Оболочка нерва защищает его от повреждений.

  The sheath of the nerve protects it from damage.

• Я купил новый чехол для телефона, чтобы защитить экран.

  I bought a new sheath for my phone to protect the screen.

• В биологии оболочка клетки играет ключевую роль в транспорте веществ.

  In biology, the cell sheath plays a key role in substance transport.

• Этот чехол для книги предотвращает её износ во время путешествий.

  This book sheath prevents it from wearing out during travels.

• Оболочка кабеля сделана из пластика для изоляции.

  The cable sheath is made of plastic for insulation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'ножны' is a plural-only noun in Russian (no singular form), belonging to the third declension. It changes based on case and number as follows:

'оболочка' is a feminine noun (first declension) with regular inflections:

'чехол' is a masculine noun with regular inflections and does not change in most contexts due to its simplicity.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • чехол (similar to 'чехол' but more general for covers)
  • футляр (used for cases, like jewelry boxes; implies a more elegant or protective enclosure)
• Antonyms:
  • голый (naked or exposed; implies the opposite of being covered)

Related Phrases:

• в ножнах - In the sheath (used metaphorically for something restrained or at peace).
• оболочка безопасности - Safety sheath (common in technical contexts like engineering).
• чехол для оружия - Weapon sheath (informal phrase for protective covers in modern contexts).

Usage Notes:

When translating 'sheath' to Russian, choose 'ножны' for historical or weapon-related contexts, as it carries a specific cultural connotation. 'Оболочка' is ideal for scientific or biological uses, while 'чехол' fits everyday items. Be mindful of gender and case agreements in sentences; for example, 'ножны' is always plural, so verbs and adjectives must agree accordingly. In formal writing, prefer 'оболочка' over 'чехол' for precision.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'ножны' with 'чехол' and use the latter in historical contexts, e.g., saying "меч в чехле" instead of "меч в ножнах". Correct usage: "меч в ножнах" – because 'чехол' implies a modern case, not a traditional sheath.
• Another error is neglecting declension; for instance, saying "из ножны" (incorrect genitive) instead of "из ножен". Explanation: Always use the proper genitive form for accuracy in Russian grammar.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'ножны' often appears in folklore and literature, symbolizing restraint or peace (e.g., "sheathing a sword" as a metaphor for ending conflict). This reflects historical influences from Slavic warrior traditions, where sheaths were ornate and carried cultural significance beyond mere protection.

Related Concepts:

• меч (sword)
• клинок (blade)
• защитный слой (protective layer)