Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'squirt'

English Word: squirt

Key Russian Translations:

• струя [ˈstrujə] - [Noun, Informal, Singular]
• брызгать [brɨˈzɡatʲ] - [Verb, Informal]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in everyday conversations, especially in contexts like daily life or descriptions of liquids, but not as common as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and verb conjugations, suitable for learners with some Russian experience.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

струя: [ˈstrujə]

Note on струя: The final 'я' sound is a soft palatal approximant, similar to 'ya' in 'yard'. Stress is on the first syllable, and the 'у' is pronounced like 'oo' in 'boot'.

брызгать: [brɨˈzɡatʲ]

Note on брызгать: The 'ы' sound is a unique Russian vowel, akin to a tense 'i' sound; the verb ends with a soft 'тʲ', which is palatalized. Common in spoken language but can be tricky for beginners due to consonant clusters.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A small amount of liquid ejected suddenly (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• струя - Used in informal contexts to describe a sudden jet of liquid, such as from a spray bottle or a fountain; common in everyday descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Из крана вырвалась струя воды.

  From the tap, a squirt of water burst out.

• Дети играли с игрушкой, которая стреляет струёй.

  The kids were playing with a toy that shoots a squirt of liquid.

• В жару он почувствовал прохладную струю из бутылки.

  In the heat, he felt a refreshing squirt from the bottle.

• Струя краски испортила картину.

  The squirt of paint ruined the painting.

• Маленькая струя духов наполнила комнату ароматом.

  A tiny squirt of perfume filled the room with scent.

2. To eject liquid in a jet or spray (Verb form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• брызгать - Used in informal or casual settings to describe the action of squirting or sprinkling liquid, often playfully or accidentally; applicable in daily life, cooking, or descriptions of nature.

Usage Examples:

• Она брызгала водой на растения в саду.

  She was squirting water on the plants in the garden.

• Дети брызгали друг на друга из водяных пистолетов.

  The kids were squirting each other with water guns.

• Он случайно брызнул кофе на стол.

  He accidentally squirted coffee onto the table.

• Во время дождя брызгало с крыши.

  During the rain, it was squirting from the roof.

• Брызгай шампунь осторожно, чтобы не попасть в глаза.

  Squirt the shampoo carefully so it doesn't get into your eyes.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "струя" (a feminine noun, 1st declension):

This noun follows standard Russian feminine declension patterns. It changes based on case and number, which is regular but requires attention to the soft ending.

For "брызгать" (a verb, 1st conjugation):

This is an imperfective verb that conjugates regularly. Below is a sample conjugation in the present tense:

Note: It has a perfective counterpart "брызнуть" for completed actions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пшик (for a quick squirt, often informal)
  • струйка (a diminutive form, implying a smaller jet)
  • For the verb: распылять (to spray, more formal and technical)
• Antonyms:
  • собрать (to gather or collect, opposite of dispersing liquid)
  • высосать (to suck up, contrasting with ejecting)

Related Phrases:

• Брызги воды - A spray of water; used to describe splashes or squirts in nature or play.
• Струя воздуха - A jet of air; common in contexts like fans or wind.
• Брызгать краской - To squirt paint; often in artistic or accidental scenarios.

Usage Notes:

• "Сquirt" as a noun aligns closely with "струя" in Russian, but be cautious of context; it's more vivid for liquids, whereas "струя" can also apply to gases. Use "брызгать" for the verb form, which is imperfective and implies ongoing action—pair it with perfective "брызнуть" for one-time events.
• In formal writing, opt for more precise terms like "распылять" instead of "брызгать" to avoid sounding casual.
• Grammar note: Nouns like "струя" must agree in case, gender, and number with other elements in the sentence, which is standard in Russian.
• When choosing between translations, "струя" is best for static descriptions, while "брызгать" fits dynamic actions.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "струя" with "брызги" (splashes), using it incorrectly in plural forms. Error: Saying "струя воды" when meaning multiple squirts; Correct: "брызги воды". Explanation: "Струя" is singular and focused, while "брызги" implies scattered drops.
• Mixing up verb aspects: Using "брызгать" for a completed action. Error: "Я брызгать кофе" (incorrect tense); Correct: "Я брызнул кофе". Explanation: Russian verbs require aspect choice; imperfective for ongoing, perfective for finished.
• Overusing in formal contexts: Treating "брызгать" as neutral, but it's informal. Error: In a scientific report, saying "брызгать жидкость"; Correct: "распылять жидкость". Explanation: Adapt to register to sound natural.

Cultural Notes:

Words like "брызгать" evoke everyday Russian life, such as summer dacha activities where squirting water is a playful tradition during hot weather. In Russian culture, such actions often symbolize joy and informality, contrasting with more reserved Western norms, but they lack deep historical connotations.

Related Concepts:

• пшик
• распылитель
• струйка