Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'stab'

English Word: stab

Key Russian Translations:

• Вонзить [vɐnˈzʲitʲ] - [Formal, Verb form; used in literary or descriptive contexts]
• Удар ножом [ʊˈdar nɐˈʐom] - [Informal, Noun form; common in everyday or crime-related speech]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations appear moderately in Russian media, literature, and conversations, especially in contexts like crime novels or news reports.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic verb conjugations and noun cases. For 'Вонзить' as a verb, it's B1; for 'Удар ножом' as a phrase, it's A2.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Вонзить: [vɐnˈzʲitʲ]

Note on Вонзить: This is a perfective verb with stress on the second syllable; be cautious with the palatalized 'z' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

Удар ножом: [ʊˈdar nɐˈʐom]

Note on Удар ножом: Stress falls on the first syllable of 'Удар'; the 'ж' in 'ножом' is a soft, fricative sound similar to 'zh' in 'measure'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. As a verb: To thrust a knife or sharp object into someone, often implying violence or sudden action.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Вонзить - Used in formal writing, literature, or when describing deliberate, forceful actions; common in narratives or legal descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Враг вонзил нож в сердце героя.

  The enemy stabbed the hero in the heart. (This example shows the verb in a dramatic, literary context.)

• Преступник попытался вонзить клинок в жертву, но был остановлен.

  The criminal tried to stab the victim with a blade but was stopped. (Illustrates attempted action in a crime scenario.)

• В темноте он вонзил оружие в тень.

  In the dark, he stabbed the shadow with his weapon. (Demonstrates use in metaphorical or suspenseful contexts.)

• Солдат вонзил штык в землю, сигнализируя о перемирии.

  The soldier stabbed his bayonet into the ground, signaling a truce. (Shows extended metaphorical use in historical or military settings.)

2. As a noun: A wound or act of stabbing, referring to the injury or the action itself.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Удар ножом - Informal and direct; used in casual conversations, news, or medical reports to describe physical injuries.

Usage Examples:

• От удара ножом он потерял много крови.

  From the stab, he lost a lot of blood. (This highlights the noun in a medical emergency context.)

• Полиция расследует удар ножом в парке.

  The police are investigating the stab in the park. (Shows use in law enforcement or news reporting.)

• Удар ножом оставил шрам на всю жизнь.

  The stab left a scar for life. (Illustrates long-term consequences in personal stories.)

• Врачи обработали удар ножом, чтобы предотвратить инфекцию.

  The doctors treated the stab to prevent infection. (Demonstrates medical application.)

• Этот удар ножом стал поворотным моментом в истории.

  This stab became a turning point in history. (Used metaphorically in historical narratives.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'Вонзить' (a verb, perfective aspect):

This is an irregular verb in Russian. It follows patterns of first-conjugation verbs but has specific forms. Below is a table of its key inflections:

For 'Удар ножом' (a noun phrase): 'Удар' is a masculine noun that declines by case and number. It is regular in its declension. Example:

Note: 'Ножом' is the instrumental case of 'нож' (knife), which is invariant in this context.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Укол (ukol - more for a prick or injection, less violent); Ранить (ranit' - to wound generally)
• Antonyms: Исцелить (iscelit' - to heal); Защитить (zashchitit' - to protect; subtle difference in preventive contexts)

Related Phrases:

• Удар ножом в спину - A stab in the back (idiomatic; refers to betrayal, often in personal or political contexts; English equivalent: backstabbing)
• Вонзить в сердце - To stab in the heart (used metaphorically for deep emotional wounds; context: literature or psychology)
• Неожиданный удар ножом - An unexpected stab (emphasizes surprise in action scenes; English: surprise attack)

Usage Notes:

'Вонзить' is a precise translation for the verb form of 'stab' in formal Russian, but it's less common in everyday speech; opt for phrases like 'ударить ножом' in casual contexts. Be mindful of the aspect: 'Вонзить' is perfective, implying completion, so it's ideal for completed actions. For 'Удар ножом', it's a compound noun that fits informal descriptions of injuries. English users should note that Russian verbs often require specific cases (e.g., accusative for direct objects), and context dictates formality—use 'Вонзить' in writing, not casual chat.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'Вонзить' with 'Укол', thinking it means a simple injection (as in medical contexts). Error: Saying "Я уколил ножом" (incorrect for stabbing). Correct: "Я вонзил нож". Explanation: 'Укол' implies a minor prick, not violent stabbing; always check the context for weapon involvement.
• Another error is improper inflection: Using 'Вонзить' without conjugating, e.g., "Он вонзить нож" (wrong). Correct: "Он вонзил нож". Explanation: Verbs must agree with subject in tense and person; practice basic conjugations to avoid this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, themes of stabbing appear frequently in literature, such as in Dostoevsky's works, symbolizing betrayal or sudden violence. The phrase 'удар ножом в спину' carries a strong connotation of treachery, akin to English idioms, and is often used in political discourse to describe backstabbing in relationships or governance, reflecting historical events like betrayals in the Soviet era.

Related Concepts:

• Рана (wound)
• Предательство (betrayal)
• Оружие (weapon)