Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'skewer'

English Word: skewer

Key Russian Translations:

• шампур [ʂamˈpur] - [Informal, Used in culinary contexts]
• вертел [ˈvʲertʲɪl] - [Formal, Used for mechanical or general piercing tools]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language related to cooking, but not as frequent in general conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun inflections and vocabulary in everyday scenarios)

Pronunciation (Russian):

шампур: [ʂamˈpur]

Note on шампур: The initial 'ш' sound is a retroflex fricative, similar to the 'sh' in 'sheep' but with a more curled tongue. Be careful with stress on the second syllable.

Audio: []

вертел: [ˈvʲertʲɪl]

Note on вертел: The 'в' is a voiced labiodental fricative, and the 'е' is pronounced as a mid-front vowel; this word has a soft 'т' sound due to palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A long piece of wood or metal used to hold food, especially meat, for cooking.

Translation(s) & Context:

• шампур - Used in informal, everyday cooking contexts, such as barbecues or kebabs.
• вертел - Used in more formal or mechanical contexts, like describing a rotisserie or tool for piercing.

Usage Examples:

• Я нанизал мясо на шампур и поставил на гриль. (I threaded the meat onto the skewer and put it on the grill.)

  Translation: I threaded the meat onto the skewer and put it on the grill. (This example shows the noun in a simple declarative sentence for cooking preparation.)

• В деревне мы использовали вертел для жарения дичи. (In the village, we used the skewer for roasting game.)

  Translation: In the village, we used the skewer for roasting game. (Illustrates the word in a narrative context, emphasizing traditional or rural usage.)

• Не забудьте купить шампуры для пикника в выходные. (Don't forget to buy skewers for the picnic this weekend.)

  Translation: Don't forget to buy skewers for the picnic this weekend. (Demonstrates plural form and imperative sentence structure in planning scenarios.)

• Этот вертел сделан из нержавеющей стали и очень прочный. (This skewer is made of stainless steel and is very sturdy.)

  Translation: This skewer is made of stainless steel and is very sturdy. (Shows attributive usage with adjectives in descriptive contexts.)

• Во время барбекю шампур сломался от перегруза. (During the barbecue, the skewer broke due to overload.)

  Translation: During the barbecue, the skewer broke due to overload. (Highlights potential issues in practical, everyday situations.)

Secondary Meaning: To pierce or fasten with a skewer (as a verb, though less common in English usage).

Translation(s) & Context:

• нанизывать на шампур - Used metaphorically or literally in action-oriented contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Она нанизала овощи на шампур для салата. (She skewered the vegetables onto the skewer for the salad.)

  Translation: She skewered the vegetables onto the skewer for the salad. (Verb form in a creative cooking context.)

• В рецепте указано нанизать ингредиенты на вертел. (The recipe instructs to skewer the ingredients onto the tool.)

  Translation: The recipe instructs to skewer the ingredients onto the tool. (Imperative in instructional writing.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "шампур" and "вертел" are masculine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard first-declension patterns with some irregularities. "Шампур" is often used in its base form but inflects for cases, while "вертел" has more variable forms.

Note: These nouns do not change for gender but follow standard endings; irregularities may occur in plural forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • рогатка (rogatka) - Similar to a skewer but often for holding; slight difference in shape.
  • прокалыватель (prokalyvatel) - More general term for a piercing tool, used in formal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • нож (nozh) - A knife, as it cuts rather than pierces.

Related Phrases:

• Шашлык на шампуре (Shashlik on a skewer) - A common barbecue dish; refers to marinated meat grilled on skewers.
• Вертел для мяса (Skewer for meat) - Phrase used in kitchen equipment descriptions; implies a tool for roasting.
• Нанизать на шампур (To thread on a skewer) - Idiomatic for preparing food; often in recipes.

Usage Notes:

The English word "skewer" most directly corresponds to "шампур" in casual, culinary contexts, while "вертел" is better for formal or mechanical uses. Be mindful of the noun's gender (masculine) when constructing sentences, as it affects adjective agreements (e.g., "большой шампур" for "big skewer"). In spoken Russian, "шампур" is preferred in everyday dialogue, but avoid overusing it in non-food-related scenarios to prevent confusion. When choosing between translations, opt for "шампур" if the context is recreational or domestic.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "шампур" in plural without proper inflection, e.g., saying "шампур" instead of "шампуры" for multiple items.

  Correct: Шампуры лежат на столе. (The skewers are on the table.)

  Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case and number; this mistake often stems from direct translation without considering declension.

• Error: Confusing "шампур" with "вертел" in cooking contexts, leading to misuse like "вертел для шашлыка."

  Correct: Шампур для шашлыка. (Skewer for shashlik.)

  Explanation: "Вертел" implies a more complex tool, so it's inappropriate for simple grilling; learners should contextually differentiate based on formality.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "шампур" is closely associated with outdoor activities like picnics and barbecues, especially in the context of shashlik, which has roots in Central Asian and Caucasian traditions. This reflects Russia's diverse culinary heritage, where communal grilling symbolizes hospitality and family gatherings.

Related Concepts:

• шашлык (shashlik)
• гриль (grill)
• мангал (mangan)