Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'slash'

English Word: slash

Key Russian Translations:

• Резать [rʲɪˈzatʲ] - [Informal, commonly used for quick cutting actions]
• Рубить [ruˈbʲitʲ] - [Formal, often for heavier or chopping motions]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations are encountered in everyday language, especially in contexts like cooking or descriptions of actions, but not as common as basic verbs like "to be" or "to go").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can grasp the basic conjugations, but irregular aspects may require practice. For "Резать", it's straightforward; for "Рубить", slight variations in usage add complexity.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Резать: [rʲɪˈzatʲ]

Рубить: [ruˈbʲitʲ]

Note on Резать: The soft 'т' sound ([tʲ]) can be tricky for English speakers; it's similar to the 't' in "nature" but more pronounced. Pay attention to the palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To cut or strike with a sweeping motion (e.g., with a knife or sword)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Резать - Used in informal, everyday contexts like cooking or casual descriptions of cutting.
• Рубить - Applied in more formal or intense scenarios, such as chopping wood or metaphorical uses in literature.

Usage Examples:

• Он режет овощи на кухне. (He is slashing the vegetables in the kitchen.)

  He is cutting the vegetables in the kitchen. (Shows basic present tense usage in a domestic setting.)

• В фильме герой рубит врагов мечом. (In the movie, the hero is slashing enemies with a sword.)

  In the movie, the hero is cutting down enemies with a sword. (Illustrates action in a narrative context.)

• Не режи так быстро, иначе поранишься! (Don't slash so quickly, or you'll hurt yourself!)

  Don't cut so quickly, or you'll hurt yourself! (Demonstrates imperative form in a warning scenario.)

• Она рубит дрова для костра. (She is slashing wood for the fire.)

  She is chopping wood for the fire. (Highlights outdoor or survival contexts.)

• Резать ткань ножницами – это искусство. (Slashing fabric with scissors is an art.)

  Cutting fabric with scissors is an art. (Shows metaphorical or skilled usage.)

Meaning 2: A diagonal line or stroke (e.g., the "/" symbol)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Косая черта - Used specifically for the "/" symbol in computing or writing.

Usage Examples:

• В адресе URL используется косая черта. (In the URL address, a slash is used.)

  In the URL address, a slash is used. (Context: digital or technical writing.)

• Напиши дату с косой чертой: 01/01/2023. (Write the date with a slash: 01/01/2023.)

  Write the date with a slash: 01/01/2023. (Common in formatting dates.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "Резать" (a verb of the first conjugation), it follows standard patterns with some irregularities in perfective aspects. "Рубить" is also first conjugation but has stem changes.

Note: "Косая черта" is a noun and does not inflect in most cases, remaining invariant in singular form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Кромсать (to hack or cut roughly) - Often used for more violent or imprecise cutting; Резать is milder.
• Antonyms: Сшивать (to sew together) - Directly opposite in the context of joining rather than cutting.

Related Phrases:

• Резать ножом (to cut with a knife) - A common phrase for using a blade in cooking or surgery; implies precision.
• Рубить с плеча (to act impulsively) - An idiomatic expression meaning to make hasty decisions, derived from chopping wood carelessly.
• Косая черта в тексте (slash in text) - Refers to the use of "/" as a separator in writing or code.

Usage Notes:

"Slash" as a verb corresponds most closely to "Резать" in informal contexts and "Рубить" in more emphatic ones. Be mindful of the aspect in Russian: "Резать" is imperfective (ongoing action), while its perfective counterpart is "Разрезать" (to cut completely). In formal writing, prefer "Рубить" for strength. English users should note that Russian verbs require agreement with subject and tense, which can differ from English simplicity.

• Choose "Резать" for everyday scenarios to sound natural.
• Avoid direct translation in idiomatic expressions; for example, "slash prices" might use "Снижать цены" instead.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse the imperfective and perfective aspects. For instance, they might incorrectly use "Резать" when "Разрезать" is needed for a completed action: Error - "Я режу яблоко" (implying ongoing), but if finished, it should be "Я разрезал яблоко". Correct usage: Always check if the action is ongoing or completed. Another error is mispronouncing the palatalized consonants, like saying [rɪ'zat] instead of [rʲɪˈzatʲ], which can make the word sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like "Рубить с плеча" reflect a historical context of manual labor and folklore, where impulsive actions in chopping wood symbolize rash decisions. This idiom is common in literature and proverbs, emphasizing the value of caution in Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• Кромсать
• Разрезать
• Нож (knife)