Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sidewalk'

English Word: sidewalk

Key Russian Translations:

• тротуар [ˈtro.tu.ar] - [Formal; commonly used in urban and everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word is encountered in daily conversations about urban environments but is not as frequent as basic nouns like "дом" for house.)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner; suitable for early learners as it follows standard noun patterns in Russian, per CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

тротуар: [ˈtro.tu.ar]

Note on тротуар: The stress falls on the first syllable, and the "р" is rolled, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The paved path for pedestrians at the side of a street.

Translation(s) & Context:

• тротуар - Used in formal and informal urban settings to refer to sidewalks, especially in cities; common in directions or descriptions of public spaces.

Usage Examples:

• Я иду по тротуару в центре города.

  I am walking on the sidewalk in the city center. (Demonstrates basic usage in a daily context.)

• Дети играют на тротуаре возле дома.

  The children are playing on the sidewalk near the house. (Shows usage in a residential setting with plural subjects.)

• В дождливую погоду тротуар становится скользким.

  In rainy weather, the sidewalk becomes slippery. (Illustrates usage with adjectives and environmental descriptions.)

• Пешеходы должны держаться тротуара, а не дороги.

  Pedestrians should stay on the sidewalk and not on the road. (Emphasizes safety and imperative contexts.)

• Старый тротуар нуждается в ремонте.

  The old sidewalk needs repair. (Demonstrates usage with possessive or descriptive modifiers.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Тротуар" is a masculine noun in Russian, following the standard first declension pattern. It is invariable in the nominative singular form but changes in other cases and numbers. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This noun has regular inflections, making it straightforward for learners, but pay attention to the vowel changes in certain cases (e.g., -а to -у in dative).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пешеходная дорожка (peshekhodnaya dorozhka) - More descriptive, often used in informal or rural contexts to emphasize a walking path.
  • тротуарная зона (trotuarная zona) - Slightly more formal, implying a designated area.
• Antonyms:
  • дорога (doroga) - Refers to a road or street, contrasting with pedestrian-only areas.

Related Phrases:

• идти по тротуару - To walk on the sidewalk; used in instructions or narratives about movement.
• тротуар в плохом состоянии - Sidewalk in poor condition; common in complaints about urban infrastructure.
• чистить тротуар от снега - To clear the sidewalk of snow; relevant in winter contexts in Russia.

Usage Notes:

"Тротуар" directly corresponds to "sidewalk" in English and is the most precise translation for urban pedestrian paths. It is neutral in terms of formality but is more common in written or official contexts. When using it, ensure agreement in gender, number, and case with surrounding words, as Russian nouns inflect. For example, choose "тротуар" over synonyms like "пешеходная дорожка" if you're describing city infrastructure. In conversational Russian, it's often paired with verbs like "идти" (to go) or "стоять" (to stand) to indicate location.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "тротуар" with "дорога" (road), leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, an error might be: "Я иду по дороге" (I am walking on the road), when the intended meaning is pedestrian-focused. Correct usage: "Я иду по тротуару" (I am walking on the sidewalk). This mistake arises from overlapping contexts in traffic descriptions.

• Another common error is neglecting case inflections, such as using the nominative "тротуар" in all contexts. Incorrect: "Рядом с тротуар" (meant to say "near the sidewalk"). Correct: "Рядом с тротуаром" (in genitive case). Always check the required case based on the preposition or sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian cities, "тротуар" often reflects urban planning influenced by Soviet-era infrastructure, where sidewalks are integral to daily life but can be poorly maintained in some areas. This word may evoke ideas of community and pedestrian culture, especially in contrast to car-dominated environments, highlighting Russia's emphasis on public spaces in densely populated areas.

Related Concepts:

• улица (ulitsa) - Street
• пешеход (peshekhod) - Pedestrian
• дорога (doroga) - Road