Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'shell'

English Word: shell

Key Russian Translations:

• раковина [rɐˈkovʲɪnə] - [Informal, Singular, Used in everyday contexts like marine life or shells]
• снаряд [ˈsnarʲət] - [Formal, Singular, Used in military or technical contexts]
• оболочка [ɐbɐˈɫoʧkə] - [Neutral, Singular/Plural, Used in scientific or general descriptions of coverings]

Frequency: Medium (Common in specific contexts like nature, technology, and military, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate for "раковина" and "оболочка"; B2 for "снаряд" due to contextual nuances)

Pronunciation (Russian):

раковина: [rɐˈkovʲɪnə]

снаряд: [ˈsnarʲət]

оболочка: [ɐbɐˈɫoʧkə]

Note on раковина: The stress falls on the second syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'k' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may soften the 'r'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The hard outer covering of a sea creature or similar natural object.

Translation(s) & Context:

• раковина - Typically used in informal or educational contexts when discussing marine biology or beach-related topics.

Usage Examples:

• Я нашел раковину на пляже во время отпуска.

  I found a shell on the beach during my vacation. (Demonstrates use in a personal, narrative context.)

• Раковина моллюска имеет уникальную форму и цвет.

  The shell of the mollusk has a unique shape and color. (Shows use in a descriptive, scientific context.)

• Дети собирают раковины, чтобы сделать украшения.

  Children collect shells to make decorations. (Illustrates use in a playful, everyday activity.)

• Эта раковина была вымыта волнами на берег.

  This shell was washed ashore by the waves. (Highlights use in a natural process description.)

Meaning 2: A projectile or explosive device, as in military contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• снаряд - Used in formal, technical, or historical discussions, often in military or warfare scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• Снаряд был запущен с позиции артиллерии.

  The shell was launched from the artillery position. (Demonstrates use in a military action context.)

• Этот музей выставляет старые снаряды из Второй мировой войны.

  This museum displays old shells from World War II. (Shows use in a historical or educational setting.)

• Снаряд разорвался, вызвав значительный ущерб.

  The shell exploded, causing significant damage. (Illustrates use in describing an event's impact.)

• Во время учений солдаты обучались обращению со снарядами.

  During training, soldiers were taught how to handle shells. (Highlights use in a training or procedural context.)

Meaning 3: An outer protective layer or casing, as in technology or biology.

Translation(s) & Context:

• оболочка - Applied in neutral contexts like computing, biology, or engineering.

Usage Examples:

• Оболочка компьютера защищает внутренние компоненты.

  The shell of the computer protects the internal components. (Demonstrates use in a technological context.)

• Оболочка семени помогает в его распространении.

  The shell of the seed aids in its dispersal. (Shows use in a biological context.)

• Эта оболочка сделана из прочного материала для долговечности.

  This shell is made of durable material for longevity. (Illustrates use in a material science description.)

• Оболочка ракеты отделяется на этапе запуска.

  The shell of the rocket detaches during launch. (Highlights use in an aerospace context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "раковина" (feminine noun): It follows standard first-declension patterns with variations by case and number. It is irregular in plural forms due to vowel changes.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	раковина	раковины
Genitive	раковины	раковин
Dative	раковине	раковинам
Accusative	раковину	раковины
Instrumental	раковиной	раковинами
Prepositional	раковине	раковинах

For "снаряд" (masculine noun): It is a standard second-declension noun with regular inflections.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	снаряд	снаряды
Genitive	снаряда	снарядов

For "оболочка" (feminine noun): Similar to "раковина," it has regular inflections with no major irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: панцирь (pancir' - often used for armored shells, with a more protective connotation)
• Снаряд synonyms: бомба (bomba - implies explosive nature)
• Antonyms: ядро (yadra - core or nucleus, opposite of outer shell)

Related Phrases:

• морская раковина - Sea shell; a common phrase in marine biology or tourism contexts.
• артиллерийский снаряд - Artillery shell; used in military discussions to specify type.
• защитная оболочка - Protective shell; often in technology or safety-related phrases.

Usage Notes:

The English word "shell" corresponds most directly to "раковина" in natural contexts, but choose based on specificity: use "снаряд" for military applications and "оболочка" for abstract or technological ones. Note that Russian nouns are gendered and decline, so always consider case agreement in sentences. For beginners, start with "раковина" as it's more straightforward and common in informal speech.

• In formal writing, "оболочка" is preferred for scientific accuracy.
• Avoid direct word-for-word translation; context dictates the best fit.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "раковина" with "панцирь," using the latter incorrectly for simple shells. Error: "Я нашел панцирь на пляже" (incorrect for a basic shell). Correct: "Я нашел раковину на пляже." Explanation: "Панцирь" implies a more armored structure, like a turtle's shell, so use it only when appropriate to avoid sounding overly dramatic.

Another error is forgetting declension: Error: "Я видел снаряд в музей" (missing accusative case). Correct: "Я видел снаряд в музее." This happens because English doesn't decline nouns.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "раковина" (shell) often evokes imagery from folklore or literature, such as in fairy tales where shells symbolize mystery or the sea's bounty. Historically, shells have been used in Russian art and jewelry, reflecting the country's vast coastal heritage along the Black Sea and Pacific regions.

Related Concepts:

• моллюск (mollusk)
• панцирь (armor or shell in a protective sense)
• ядро (core)