Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'shutter'

English Word: shutter

Key Russian Translations:

• затвор [ˈzatvər] - [Formal, used in technical or photographic contexts]
• ставни [ˈstavnʲi] - [Informal, plural form common for window coverings]
• жалюзи [ʐɐˈlʲuzʲi] - [Neutral, often used for modern blinds or shutters]

Frequency: Medium - The word and its translations are encountered in everyday contexts like photography and home descriptions, but not as frequently as basic vocabulary.

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level can grasp the vocabulary with some exposure to Russian grammar, though the nuances of word choice (e.g., затвор vs. ставни) may require contextual practice.

Pronunciation (Russian):

затвор: [ˈzatvər] - The stress is on the first syllable; note the soft 'т' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the dental pronunciation.

Note on затвор: Be careful with the 'в' sound, which is voiced and similar to English 'v', but the word may vary slightly in fast speech.

ставни: [ˈstavnʲi] - Stress on the first syllable; the 'нʲ' is a palatalized 'n', common in Russian nouns.

Note on ставни: This is a plural form; the singular 'ставня' [ˈstavnʲə] has a similar pronunciation but is less common.

жалюзи: [ʐɐˈlʲuzʲi] - Stress on the second syllable; the 'ж' is a voiced fricative like the 's' in 'measure'.

Note on жалюзи: Derived from French, it retains a more international flavor in pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A device in a camera that opens and closes to expose the film or sensor (photographic context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• затвор - Used in formal or technical discussions about photography; common in professional settings like studios or equipment manuals.

Usage Examples:

• Нажмите на затвор, чтобы запечатлеть момент. (Translation: Press the shutter to capture the moment. This example shows the verb in action within a photographic scenario.)

  Press the shutter to capture the moment.

• Затвор камеры сработал слишком медленно, и фото размылось. (Translation: The camera shutter fired too slowly, and the photo blurred. This illustrates a problem in photography.)

  The camera shutter fired too slowly, and the photo blurred.

• В профессиональной фотографии затвор играет ключевую роль. (Translation: In professional photography, the shutter plays a key role. This demonstrates the noun in a descriptive context.)

  In professional photography, the shutter plays a key role.

• Регулировка затвора помогает контролировать экспозицию. (Translation: Adjusting the shutter helps control exposure. This shows the word in a technical instructional context.)

  Adjusting the shutter helps control exposure.

Meaning 2: A cover or panel for a window, often used for protection or privacy

Translation(s) & Context:

• ставни - Informal and common in everyday home-related conversations; often implies traditional wooden shutters.
• жалюзи - Neutral and modern, used for blinds or adjustable window coverings in urban or contemporary settings.

Usage Examples:

• Закройте ставни, чтобы дом не нагревался от солнца. (Translation: Close the shutters so the house doesn't heat up from the sun. This example highlights protective use in daily life.)

  Close the shutters so the house doesn't heat up from the sun.

• В старых русских домах ставни служат для защиты от ветра. (Translation: In old Russian houses, shutters serve to protect against the wind. This places the word in a cultural or historical context.)

  In old Russian houses, shutters serve to protect against the wind.

• Жалюзи в офисе позволяют регулировать свет. (Translation: The blinds in the office allow for light adjustment. This shows жалюзи in a professional environment.)

  The blinds in the office allow for light adjustment.

• Открытые ставни впускают свежий воздух в комнату. (Translation: Open shutters let fresh air into the room. This demonstrates the plural form in a simple descriptive sentence.)

  Open shutters let fresh air into the room.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Most translations are nouns and follow standard Russian declension patterns. For example:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • затвор: объектив (obektiv) - For camera-related contexts, but more specific to lenses.
  • ставни: рольставни (rolstavni) - Modern rolling shutters; implies automated versions.
  • жалюзи: шторы (shtory) - General term for curtains, with a slight difference in adjustability.
• Antonyms:
  • затвор: открытие (otkrytie) - In a metaphorical sense, meaning "opening."
  • ставни: открытые окна (otkrytye okna) - Simply "open windows," contrasting the closed state.

Related Phrases:

• Затвор камеры - (The camera shutter; used in photography tutorials.)
• Закрыть ставни на ночь - (Close the shutters at night; common for security in rural areas.)
• Регулируемые жалюзи - (Adjustable blinds; refers to modern window treatments.)

Usage Notes:

Choose затвор for precise photographic contexts, as it directly mirrors the English "shutter" in technical settings. Ставни is more idiomatic for traditional window coverings and is often used in plural form, reflecting Russian's emphasis on nouns in context. Жалюзи is versatile for modern applications but may imply a foreign influence. Be mindful of gender and number agreements in sentences; for example, adjectives must agree with the noun's case. In informal speech, Russians might use these interchangeably, but in formal writing, select based on exact meaning to avoid ambiguity.

Common Errors:

• Confusing затвор with other camera parts: English learners often misuse it as "объектив" (lens). Correct: Use затвор specifically for the shutter mechanism. Example of error: "Я нажал на объектив" (I pressed the lens) - Incorrect; should be "Я нажал на затвор".
• Overlooking plural forms: For ставни, beginners might use singular incorrectly. Error: "Закрой ставня" (Close the shutter, singular) - Correct: "Закрой ставни" (Close the shutters, plural).
• Mispronouncing due to English influence: Learners may soften the 'т' in затвор too much. Explanation: Practice the dental 'т' to match native pronunciation.

Cultural Notes:

Ставни are deeply rooted in Russian architecture, often seen in traditional wooden houses (izba) in rural areas, symbolizing protection against harsh winters. This reflects Russia's historical climate challenges, where shutters were essential for insulation. In modern contexts, жалюзи represent urbanization and Western influences, highlighting cultural shifts in daily life.

Related Concepts:

• камера (camera)
• окно (window)
• экспозиция (exposure)