Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'spark'

English Word: spark

Key Russian Translations:

• искра /ˈiskra/ - [Noun, Common; Used in literal and metaphorical contexts, such as describing a fire or inspiration]
• возбудить /vɐzˈbudʲitʲ/ - [Verb, Formal; Used when referring to igniting an idea or emotion]
• зажечь /zaˈʐɛtɕ/ - [Verb, Informal; Used in everyday contexts for starting a fire or sparking enthusiasm]

Frequency: Medium (The word 'искра' is commonly encountered in literature and daily conversation, while verb forms like 'возбудить' are less frequent in casual speech.)

Difficulty: B1 (For 'искра' as a noun: Intermediate, per CEFR; For verbs like 'возбудить' and 'зажечь': B2, due to conjugation complexities for English learners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

искра: /ˈiskra/ (The stress is on the first syllable; note the soft 'r' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.)

возбудить: /vɐzˈbudʲitʲ/ (Emphasize the second syllable; the 'ʲ' indicates a palatalized 't', common in Russian verbs.)

зажечь: /zaˈʐɛtɕ/ (Stress on the second syllable; the 'ʐ' is a voiced retroflex fricative, similar to 'zh' in 'measure'.)

Note on искра: The 'ск' combination is pronounced as /sk/, but in rapid speech, it may soften slightly. Variations in regional accents can affect vowel length.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A small particle of fire or light (Literal sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• искра - Used in physical descriptions, such as in science or nature contexts (e.g., a spark from a fire).

Usage Examples:

• В костре вспыхнула искра, и пламя разгорелось сильнее.

  In the bonfire, a spark flared up, and the flame burned stronger.

• Искра от молнии осветила ночное небо.

  The spark from the lightning illuminated the night sky.

• Маленькая искра может вызвать лесной пожар.

  A small spark can cause a forest fire.

• В старом двигателе искра зажигания часто выходит из строя.

  In an old engine, the ignition spark often fails.

Meaning 2: To ignite or inspire something (Metaphorical sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• возбудить - Used in formal or intellectual contexts, such as sparking an idea or debate.
• зажечь - Used in informal, emotional contexts, like sparking enthusiasm or passion.

Usage Examples:

• Его речь возбудила искру интереса в аудитории.

  His speech sparked an interest in the audience.

• Музыка зажгла искру творчества в её душе.

  The music sparked a creative spark in her soul.

• Эта книга возбудила искру любопытства у детей.

  This book sparked curiosity in the children.

• Путешествие зажгло искру приключений в их жизни.

  The trip sparked a sense of adventure in their lives.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

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

It follows standard Russian noun declension with regular patterns. Below is a table of its inflections:

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	искра	искры
Genitive	искры	искр
Dative	искре	искрам
Accusative	искру	искры
Instrumental	искрой	искрами
Prepositional	искре	искрах

For 'возбудить' and 'зажечь' (verbs, perfective aspect):

These are imperfective-perfective pairs. 'Возбудить' is perfective and conjugates irregularly in some forms. Example conjugation for 'возбудить' in present tense (though it's typically used in past):

Person	Singular	Plural
1st	возбужу	возбудим
2nd	возбудишь	возбудите
3rd	возбудит	возбудят

'Зажечь' has similar conjugation but is more regular.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • искра: блеск (for a flash of light; subtle difference in intensity)
  • возбудить: стимулировать (more formal, used in professional contexts)
  • зажечь: вдохновить (emphasizes emotional inspiration)
• Antonyms:
  • искра: тьма (darkness, opposite in literal light contexts)
  • возбудить: угасить (to extinguish or dampen)
  • зажечь: погасить (to put out, especially for fire-related metaphors)

Related Phrases:

• искра гения - A spark of genius; refers to a sudden brilliant idea in creative fields.
• возбудить интерес - To spark interest; used in educational or motivational contexts.
• зажечь огонь - To light a fire; metaphorical for starting something new or exciting.

Usage Notes:

'Искра' directly corresponds to the literal English 'spark' and is neutral in tone, making it versatile for both everyday and poetic use. For verbs like 'возбудить', choose it in formal writing or when precision is needed, as it's more intellectual; 'зажечь' is better for informal, emotional scenarios. Be cautious with aspect: Russian verbs have perfective and imperfective forms, so 'возбудить' implies completion. English learners often mix these with English phrasal verbs like 'light up'.

• Grammar note: Nouns like 'искра' require agreement in gender, number, and case with adjectives and verbs.
• Context tip: In metaphorical uses, 'искра' can imply positivity, so it's ideal for motivational language.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'возбудить' with 'возбуждать' (imperfective form), leading to tense errors. For example:

• Incorrect: Я возбуждаю искру каждый день. (This implies ongoing action, but 'возбудить' is perfective.)
• Correct: Я возбудил искру в проекте. (Use for a completed action.)
• Explanation: Russian verbs require selecting the correct aspect; always check if the action is finished or ongoing to avoid this mistake.

Another error is mispronouncing 'искра' by stressing the wrong syllable, which can alter meaning in fast speech.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'искра' symbolizes revolution and enlightenment, as seen in the historical newspaper 'Iskra' founded by Lenin, representing the spark of socialist ideas. This metaphor is common in literature and politics, emphasizing how a small idea can lead to significant change, reflecting Russia's revolutionary history.

Related Concepts:

• огонь (fire)
• вдохновение (inspiration)
• энергичность (energy)