Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sink'

English Word: sink

Key Russian Translations:

• раковина [rɐˈkovʲɪnə] - [Formal, Noun, Refers to a bathroom or kitchen sink]
• умывальник [uˈmɨvəlʲnʲɪk] - [Informal, Noun, Used for a washbasin or sink in everyday contexts]
• тонуть [tɐˈnutʲ] - [Verb, Neutral, Used for the action of sinking or submerging]

Frequency: Medium (Common in household and nautical contexts, but not among the most frequent everyday words in Russian).

Difficulty: A1 for 'раковина' and 'умывальник' (Beginner level, as they are basic nouns); B1 for 'тонуть' (Intermediate, due to verb conjugation and contextual usage).

Pronunciation (Russian):

раковина: [rɐˈkovʲɪnə]

Note on раковина: The stress is on the third syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'в' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

умывальник: [uˈmɨvəlʲnʲɪk]

Note on умывальник: The 'ы' sound is a distinct Russian vowel; practice it as a neutral, back vowel sound.

тонуть: [tɐˈnutʲ]

Note on тонуть: This is a verb with infinitive form; the 'ть' ending is typical for Russian infinitives, and the stress shifts in conjugated forms.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A basin or receptacle for washing, typically in a kitchen or bathroom (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• раковина - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as plumbing or home descriptions.
• умывальник - Common in informal, everyday situations, like daily routines.

Usage Examples:

• Я мою посуду в раковине на кухне. (Ya moyu posudu v rakovine na kukhne.)

  I wash the dishes in the sink in the kitchen. (This example shows the noun in a domestic setting.)

• Умывальник в ванной комнате засорился. (Umyvalnik v vannoy komnate zasorilsya.)

  The sink in the bathroom is clogged. (Illustrates informal usage in a household problem context.)

• Раковина в отеле была очень чистой. (Rakovina v otelye byla ochen' chistoy.)

  The sink in the hotel was very clean. (Demonstrates usage in travel or descriptive scenarios.)

• Я чищу умывальник каждый день. (Ya chishchu umyvalnik kazhdyy den'.)

  I clean the sink every day. (Shows routine action with the noun.)

Meaning 2: To descend or submerge below the surface, as in water (Verb form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• тонуть - Used for literal sinking, such as in water, or metaphorically for failure or decline.

Usage Examples:

• Корабль начал тонуть в шторм. (Korabl' nachal tonut' v shtorm.)

  The ship started to sink in the storm. (This example depicts a nautical emergency.)

• Если не плыть, то можно тонуть. (Yesli ne plyt', to mozhno tonut'.)

  If you don't swim, you might sink. (Illustrates a warning in a survival context.)

• Экономика страны тонет в долгах. (Ekonomika strany tonet v dolgakh.)

  The country's economy is sinking in debt. (Shows metaphorical usage in financial discussions.)

• Я видел, как камень тонет в реке. (Ya videl, kak kamen' tonet v reke.)

  I saw the stone sink in the river. (Demonstrates simple observational context.)

• Не давай себе тонуть в отчаянии. (Ne day sebe tonut' v otchayanii.)

  Don't let yourself sink into despair. (Highlights emotional or abstract application.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'раковина' (feminine noun, 1st declension):

'умывальник' follows a similar pattern as a masculine noun.

For 'тонуть' (verb, imperfective):

These verbs and nouns follow regular Russian patterns with no irregularities noted.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • раковина: умывальник (similar, but more casual)
  • тонуть: погружаться (more formal, for submerging)
• Antonyms:
  • For тонуть: всплывать (to float up)

Related Phrases:

• Засор в раковине (Zasor v rakovine) - Clog in the sink; common in plumbing contexts.
• Тонуть как камень (Tonut' kak kamen') - To sink like a stone; an idiomatic expression for rapid failure.
• Умывальник с краном (Umyvalnik s kranom) - Sink with a faucet; used in descriptions of bathroom fixtures.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'sink' as a noun often corresponds to 'раковина' in formal writing or technical discussions, while 'умывальник' is preferred in everyday speech. For the verb 'to sink', 'тонуть' is imperfective and implies an ongoing process, so pair it with appropriate aspects (e.g., perfective 'потонуть' for completion). Be mindful of context: nautical uses might require more specific phrasing. When choosing between translations, consider the setting—formal vs. informal—to ensure natural expression.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'раковина' with 'ванна' (bathtub). Error: Saying "Я моюсь в раковине" (meaning "I bathe in the sink"). Correct: "Я моюсь в ванне" (I bathe in the bathtub). Explanation: 'Раковина' is specifically for washing hands or dishes, not full bathing.
• For 'тонуть', misuse of tense: Error: "Я тонy сейчас" (incorrect present form). Correct: "Я тонy" (I am sinking). Explanation: Ensure proper conjugation based on person and number.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'раковина' or 'умывальник' might evoke everyday domestic life, as seen in literature like Chekhov's stories, where household items symbolize routine. 'Тонуть' can carry metaphorical weight in Russian poetry, representing emotional drowning, influenced by historical events like naval disasters in Russian history.

Related Concepts:

• ванна (bathtub)
• погружение (immersion)
• всплывать (to float)