Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'snag'

English Word: snag

Key Russian Translations:

• препятствие [prʲɪˈpʲætstvʲɪje] - [Formal, Singular]
• неприятность [nʲɪprʲɪˈjatnəstʲ] - [Informal, Plural possible]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversations about problems, but not as frequent as basic words like "problem").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "препятствие" - Requires understanding of noun declensions; A2 (Beginner) for "неприятность" as it's more straightforward.

Pronunciation (Russian):

препятствие: [prʲɪˈpʲætstvʲɪje]

Note on препятствие: This word has a soft sign (ь) affecting the pronunciation of the preceding consonant; stress is on the second syllable, which can be tricky for English speakers. The "щ" sound is a palatalized "shch".

неприятность: [nʲɪprʲɪˈjatnəstʲ]

Note on неприятность: The stress is on the third syllable; the "я" is pronounced as a soft "ya" sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: An unexpected problem or obstacle in a plan, project, or situation.

Translation(s) & Context:

• препятствие - Used in formal contexts, such as business, engineering, or legal discussions, to denote a significant barrier.
• неприятность - Used in informal everyday speech for minor annoyances or issues, like in casual conversations.

Usage Examples:

• В проекте возникло препятствие, которое задержало сроки.

  A snag arose in the project that delayed the deadlines.

• Из-за неприятности с машиной мы опоздали на встречу.

  Due to a snag with the car, we were late for the meeting.

• Препятствие в переговорах было преодолено благодаря компромиссу.

  The snag in the negotiations was overcome through compromise.

• Эта мелкая неприятность не стоит вашего беспокойства.

  This little snag isn't worth your worry.

• Во время путешествия мы столкнулись с препятствием в виде плохой погоды.

  During the trip, we encountered a snag in the form of bad weather.

Meaning 2: A sharp or protruding part, like a snag on fabric or a branch.

Translation(s) & Context:

• препятствие - Less common in this sense; used metaphorically in formal writing.
• зацепка - More specific for physical snags, in contexts like clothing or outdoor activities.

Usage Examples:

• На свитере появилась зацепка от ветки.

  A snag appeared on the sweater from the branch.

• Эта зацепка на ткани может привести к разрыву.

  This snag on the fabric could lead to a tear.

• Препятствие в виде острого камня повредило велосипед.

  The snag in the form of a sharp rock damaged the bicycle.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Препятствие" is a neuter noun of the third declension group in Russian, which means it follows a standard pattern for neuter nouns but has irregularities in some cases. It is invariable in plural forms in certain contexts.

"Неприятность" is a feminine noun of the first declension and follows regular patterns without major irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: проблема (more general issue), трудность (difficulty, with a connotation of effort required)
• Antonyms: решение (solution, as it directly counters an obstacle), успех (success, implying no snags)

Related Phrases:

• Преодолеть препятствие - To overcome an obstacle; used in motivational or problem-solving contexts.
• Небольшая неприятность - A minor snag; common in casual talk to downplay issues.
• Столкнуться с зацепкой - To encounter a snag; often in literal or metaphorical senses.

Usage Notes:

"Snag" in English often implies something unexpected and minor, but in Russian, "препятствие" is more formal and can denote a serious barrier, so use it in professional settings. "Неприятность" is better for everyday, informal use. Be mindful of declensions when using these nouns in sentences, as Russian requires case agreement. When choosing between translations, opt for "препятствие" if the context is obstacle-like in projects, and "неприятность" for personal annoyances. Avoid direct word-for-word translation; instead, consider the nuance.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "препятствие" in informal contexts, e.g., saying "Это препятствие в моей жизни" when "неприятность" would be more natural. Correct: "Это неприятность в моей жизни." Explanation: "Препятствие" sounds overly formal and may make the speaker seem stiff.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun, e.g., saying "Из-за препятствие" instead of "Из-за препятствия." Correct: "Из-за препятствия." Explanation: Russian prepositions require the genitive case, so always check the noun's form based on its role in the sentence.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "препятствие" often appear in literature and proverbs, such as in stories by Tolstoy, where obstacles symbolize life's challenges. This reflects a cultural emphasis on perseverance, as seen in phrases like "Препятствия — это ступени к успеху" (Obstacles are steps to success), highlighting resilience in the face of adversity.

Related Concepts:

• проблема
• трудность
• задержка