Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'spoonful'

English Word: spoonful

Key Russian Translations:

• ложка (IPA: [ˈloʂkə]) - [Informal, Used in everyday measurements]

Frequency: Medium (Common in daily conversations about cooking, recipes, and measurements, but not as frequent as basic nouns in general discourse).

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; straightforward vocabulary for basic learners, as it involves simple nouns and measurement concepts in everyday contexts).

Pronunciation (Russian):

ложка: [ˈloʂkə]

Note on ложка: The "ш" sound (as in [ʂ]) is a retroflex fricative, which may be challenging for English speakers; it sounds similar to the "sh" in "shoe" but with the tongue curled back. Pronounce with emphasis on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A quantity that can be held by a spoon, often used in cooking, medicine, or measurements.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ложка - Used in informal and everyday contexts for measuring small amounts, such as in recipes or when administering medicine to children.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Возьмите ложку сахара и добавьте в чай. (Vozʹmite lozhku sakhará i dobavʹte v chay.)

  English: Take a spoonful of sugar and add it to the tea. (This example shows "ложка" in a simple imperative sentence for cooking.)

• Русский: Врач прописал ребенку ложку сиропа три раза в день. (Vrach propisál rebyónku lozhku siropa tri raza v denʹ.)

  English: The doctor prescribed the child a spoonful of syrup three times a day. (Illustrates "ложка" in a medical context with quantity specification.)

• Русский: Она размешала ложку меда в йогурте для вкуса. (Ona razmieshala lozhku myeda v yogurte dlya vkusa.)

  English: She stirred a spoonful of honey into the yogurt for flavor. (Demonstrates "ложка" in a casual, descriptive sentence about food preparation.)

• Русский: В старых рецептах часто упоминается ложка соли. (V starýkh retseptakh chasto upominayetsya lozhka soli.)

  English: In old recipes, a spoonful of salt is often mentioned. (Shows "ложка" in a historical or traditional context.)

• Русский: Не забудьте добавить ложку масла в тесто. (Ne zabytʹte dobavitʹ lozhku masla v testo.)

  English: Don't forget to add a spoonful of oil to the dough. (Highlights "ложка" in an instructional, imperative structure.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Ложка" is a feminine noun in the first declension. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: As a regular noun, it does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Ковш (kovsh) - Similar for larger spoon-like measurements, but less common for small quantities.
  • Чайная ложка (chaynaya lozhka) - Specifically for a teaspoonful, with a nuance for smaller, precise measurements.
• Antonyms:
  • Горсть (gorst') - A handful, implying a larger, less precise quantity.

Related Phrases:

• Ложка дегтя в бочке меда (Lozhka degtya v bocke meda) - English: A spoonful of tar in a barrel of honey (idiomatic for a small flaw ruining something good; cultural proverb).
• Добавить ложку соли (Dobavit' lozhku soli) - English: To add a spoonful of salt (common in recipes, implying enhancement or seasoning).
• Ложка для супа (Lozhka dlya supa) - English: A spoon for soup (phrase for specifying types of spoons in dining contexts).

Usage Notes:

"Ложка" directly corresponds to "spoonful" in English as a measure of volume, but it's often used in combination with the item being measured (e.g., "ложка сахара" for "a spoonful of sugar"). In formal contexts, prefer more precise terms like "чайная ложка" for teaspoon. Russian speakers typically use it in singular form for measurements, and it's versatile across informal daily life and recipes. When choosing between translations, opt for "ложка" in general contexts and "чайная ложка" for smaller amounts to match the exact English nuance.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "ложка" without specifying the case, leading to grammatically incorrect sentences (e.g., incorrectly saying "я ем ложка" instead of "я ем ложкой").

Correct: Я ем суп ложкой (Ya yem sup lozhkoy) - I eat soup with a spoon. Explanation: "Ложкой" is the instrumental case; learners must adjust for sentence structure.

• Mistake: Confusing with "вилка" (fork), which is unrelated, leading to mix-ups in kitchen vocabulary.

Correct: Use "ложка" specifically for spoons. Explanation: English learners often transpose words; practice with visual aids to differentiate.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "ложка" appears in proverbs like "Ложка дегтя в бочке меда," which emphasizes how a small negative element can spoil something positive, reflecting a cultural value on balance and imperfection in life. This phrase is often used in literature and everyday speech to discuss optimism and realism.

Related Concepts:

• Чайная ложка (chaynaya lozhka)
• Столовая ложка (stolovaya lozhka)
• Мера (mera)