Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sieve'

English Word: sieve

Key Russian Translations:

• сито (/ˈsʲitə/) - [Neutral; commonly used in everyday contexts for kitchen or industrial tools]
• решето (/rʲɪˈʂɛtə/) - [Informal; regional variations, often used in rural or traditional settings]

Frequency: Medium (The word is not extremely common in everyday conversation but appears in contexts like cooking, manufacturing, or technical discussions.)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner; straightforward vocabulary for basic learners, though understanding inflections may require intermediate knowledge.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сито: /ˈsʲitə/ (The 'с' is soft, pronounced like 's' in 'measure', and the stress is on the first syllable.)

решето: /rʲɪˈʂɛtə/ (The 'ш' sound is like 'sh' in 'she', with a soft 'р' at the beginning; stress on the second syllable.)

Note on сито: Be cautious with the soft 'с' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers; it softens the following vowel.

Note on решето: This word may have slight dialectical variations in pronunciation, especially in southern Russian regions.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A device with a mesh or perforated bottom used to separate fine particles from larger ones (e.g., in cooking or filtration).

Translation(s) & Context:

• сито - Used in neutral, everyday contexts like kitchen tools or industrial applications; common in recipes or DIY scenarios.
• решето - Informal alternative, often in traditional or rural contexts; implies a coarser mesh compared to сито.

Usage Examples:

• Я использую сито, чтобы просеять муку для пирога.

  I use a sieve to sift the flour for the pie. (This example shows the word in a domestic cooking context, demonstrating basic verb-noun pairing.)

• В лаборатории мы применяем решето для фильтрации образцов.

  In the laboratory, we use a sieve to filter samples. (Here, it illustrates a scientific or technical usage, highlighting the word in a professional setting.)

• Это старое сито уже износилось, его нужно заменить.

  This old sieve is already worn out; it needs to be replaced. (This demonstrates the word with adjectives and in a descriptive, everyday narrative.)

• Решето в саду помогает отделить семена от почвы.

  The sieve in the garden helps separate seeds from the soil. (This example shows regional or outdoor usage, varying the context for broader understanding.)

• Просеять сахар через сито – это ключевой шаг в рецепте.

  Sifting sugar through a sieve is a key step in the recipe. (This highlights the word in a procedural context, emphasizing its role in instructions.)

Secondary Meaning: Figurative use, as in filtering or sifting through information (e.g., metaphorical in discussions or analysis).

Translation(s) & Context:

• сито - Metaphorical in formal writing or speeches, e.g., "sifting through ideas."

Usage Examples:

• Ему пришлось пройти через сито критики, чтобы защитить свою теорию.

  He had to go through the sieve of criticism to defend his theory. (This shows a figurative use in intellectual contexts.)

• Просеивая информацию, мы нашли полезные данные.

  By sifting through the information, we found useful data. (Illustrates the word in a metaphorical, analytical scenario.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For the primary translation "сито", this is a neuter noun in the second declension. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case, number, and gender. "Решето" is also neuter but may vary slightly in some dialects.

For "решето", it follows a similar neuter pattern but is less commonly inflected in modern usage and may remain unchanged in informal speech.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: решето (similar but often implies a coarser tool), фильтр (filter, for more modern or technical contexts) - Note: "фильтр" is more precise in industrial settings but less literal for kitchen use.
• Antonyms: блок (block, as in something that obstructs rather than separates) - This is a loose antonym, as direct opposites are rare for this word.

Related Phrases:

• Просеивать через сито - Sifting through a sieve (used in cooking or processing materials).
• Сито для муки - Sieve for flour (a common kitchen phrase).
• Пройти через сито - To go through the sieve (figurative, meaning to undergo scrutiny or filtering).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "сито" directly corresponds to the English "sieve" in literal contexts, while "решето" is a more informal variant often used in traditional or rural settings. Choose "сито" for neutral or formal writing, as it aligns closely with everyday English usage. Be mindful of grammatical gender (neuter) and case changes, which affect sentence structure. For figurative uses, ensure the context is clear to avoid confusion, as Russian speakers may interpret it metaphorically in debates or analysis.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "сито" interchangeably with "фильтр" without context. Correct: "Фильтр" is for liquids or advanced tech, while "сито" is for dry materials. Example of error: "Я использовал фильтр для муки" (incorrect); Correct: "Я использовал сито для муки". Explanation: This confuses the tools' purposes, leading to misunderstandings in practical scenarios.
• Mistake: Forgetting inflections, e.g., saying "в сито" instead of "в сите" in prepositional case. Correct: Use proper declension as shown in the table. Explanation: English learners often overlook Russian case systems, which can make sentences grammatically incorrect.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "сито" is commonly associated with traditional baking and home economics, especially in rural areas where homemade bread is still prepared. It evokes images of Soviet-era kitchens or folk traditions, symbolizing simplicity and resourcefulness in daily life.

Related Concepts:

• фильтр
• просеиватель
• сепаратор