Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sliver'

English Word: sliver

Key Russian Translations:

• осколок (/ɐˈskɔlək/) - [Formal, used for sharp fragments]
• ломтик (/ˈlɔmtʲɪk/) - [Informal, used for thin slices or pieces]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday contexts like descriptions of objects or accidents)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires basic understanding of noun declensions, but straightforward for learners familiar with common Russian vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

осколок: /ɐˈskɔlək/

Note on осколок: The stress falls on the second syllable; be careful with the "о" sound, which is pronounced as a mid-back vowel. Common mispronunciation involves stressing the first syllable.

ломтик: /ˈlɔmtʲɪk/

Note on ломтик: The "тʲ" represents a palatalized 't', which can be tricky for English speakers; it sounds softer, almost like 'ty' in "tune".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A thin, sharp piece of material (e.g., glass, wood)

Translation(s) & Context:

• осколок - Used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as accidents or scientific descriptions, to refer to a broken fragment.
• ломтик - Used in informal, everyday contexts, like food or materials, to describe a thin slice.

Usage Examples:

• Я осторожно убрал осколок стекла с пола.

  I carefully removed the sliver of glass from the floor.

• Этот ломтик дерева можно использовать для ремонта.

  This sliver of wood can be used for repairs.

• В её руке застрял осколок металла от аварии.

  A sliver of metal from the accident got stuck in her hand.

• Он отрезал тонкий ломтик сыра для салата.

  He cut a thin sliver of cheese for the salad.

• Осколок керамики лежал на земле после падения вазы.

  The sliver of ceramic lay on the ground after the vase fell.

A small, narrow portion of something abstract (e.g., time or hope)

Translation(s) & Context:

• осколок - In metaphorical contexts, such as literature or poetry, to denote a remnant or fragment of something intangible.

Usage Examples:

• В её глазах мелькнул осколок надежды.

  A sliver of hope flickered in her eyes.

• Этот осколок воспоминаний заставил его улыбнуться.

  This sliver of memories made him smile.

• В хаосе войны остался только осколок былой жизни.

  In the chaos of war, only a sliver of the former life remained.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns. "Осколок" is a masculine noun (3rd declension), while "ломтик" is also masculine but follows standard patterns. Russian nouns inflect based on case, number, and gender.

Note: These are regular declensions; no irregularities for these words.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for осколок: фрагмент, обломок (used for larger fragments), кусочек (more general piece)
• Synonyms for ломтик: кусочек, долька (specifically for food slices)
• Antonyms: целое (whole), монолит (monolith; implying something unbroken)

Related Phrases:

• Осколок стекла - A piece of broken glass; often used in safety or accident contexts.
• Ломтик хлеба - A slice of bread; common in culinary discussions.
• Осколок прошлого - A fragment of the past; metaphorical for memories or history.

Usage Notes:

"Sliver" translates most accurately to "осколок" when referring to sharp or broken pieces, which is common in formal English-Russian contexts like technical or medical descriptions. Use "ломтик" for softer, edible slivers to match informal English usage. Be mindful of Russian's case system; for example, in prepositional phrases, adjust to the correct case (e.g., "на осколке" for "on the sliver"). Choose between translations based on context: "осколок" for dangerous fragments and "ломтик" for neutral slices. This helps avoid overgeneralization in everyday conversation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "осколок" interchangeably with "ломтик" without considering context. For example, saying "Я ем осколок яблока" instead of "Я ем ломтик яблока". Correct: "ломтик" is better for food. Explanation: "Осколок" implies something broken or sharp, which could mislead in edible contexts.
• Error: Forgetting noun declensions, e.g., using nominative "осколок" in genitive contexts like "без осколок" instead of "без осколка". Correct: Always decline based on sentence structure to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "осколок" often appear in literature and folklore to symbolize remnants of war or hardship, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy. This reflects Russia's historical experiences with conflicts, where slivers or fragments metaphorically represent loss and resilience.

Related Concepts:

• Фрагмент
• Кусок
• Обломок