Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'stairs'

English Word: stairs

Key Russian Translations:

• Лестница (lʲɪsʲˈtʲnʲɪtsə) - [Common feminine noun, used in everyday contexts for indoor or outdoor stair structures]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly encountered in daily conversations about buildings and navigation, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like "дом" (house)).

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary level; suitable for beginners as it involves basic noun forms, but requires understanding of Russian cases for full mastery).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Лестница: lʲɪsʲˈtʲnʲɪtsə

Note on Лестница: The pronunciation features a soft 'л' (palatalized 'l') which can be tricky for English speakers; it sounds like "lyes-TNI-tsa". Stress is on the third syllable. Regional variations may soften the consonants further in southern dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A set of steps leading from one floor to another in a building.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Лестница - Used in contexts involving navigation in homes, offices, or public spaces; formal and informal settings, especially when describing architecture or giving directions.

Usage Examples:

• Я поднимаюсь по лестнице в свою квартиру. (Ya podnímayus' po léstnitse v svoyu kvartíru.)

  I am going up the stairs to my apartment. (This example shows the word in a simple present tense context, indicating movement in a residential setting.)

• Лестница в этом здании очень крутая и старая. (Léstnitse v étom zdaníi ochén krutáya i staráya.)

  The stairs in this building are very steep and old. (Here, it demonstrates the noun in a descriptive sentence, highlighting physical attributes.)

• Дети бегают вверх и вниз по лестнице. (Deti berút vverkh i vniz po léstnitse.)

  The children are running up and down the stairs. (This illustrates the word in a dynamic, everyday scenario involving multiple directions.)

• В музее есть винтовая лестница, ведущая на крышу. (V muzéye est' vîntovaya léstnitse, vedúshchaya na krýshu.)

  In the museum, there is a spiral staircase leading to the roof. (This example shows it in a specific architectural context, with adjectives for variety.)

• После ремонта лестница стала безопасной для всех. (Posle remónta léstnitse stála bezopásnoy dlya vséh.)

  After the repair, the stairs became safe for everyone. (This demonstrates the word in a post-event description, emphasizing changes.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Лестница" 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: This noun does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners, but always pay attention to the soft ending in certain cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Ступени (stupéni) - More specific to individual steps; used in poetic or detailed descriptions. Лестничный марш (léstnichnyy marsh) - Refers to a flight of stairs in formal or architectural contexts.
• Antonyms: Лифт (lift) - Elevator, implying a mechanical alternative for vertical movement.

Related Phrases:

• Подняться по лестнице (Podnístis' po léstnitse) - To go up the stairs; used for describing ascent in buildings.
• Спускаться по лестнице (Spuskátis' po léstnitse) - To go down the stairs; common in safety or directional instructions.
• Крутить лестницу (Krutít' léstnitsu) - To wind a staircase; refers to spiral designs in metaphorical or literal contexts.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "лестница" directly corresponds to "stairs" in English but is more versatile in contexts involving architecture. It is neutral in formality and can be used in both spoken and written language. When choosing between synonyms like "ступени", opt for "лестница" for general references. Grammatically, always ensure it agrees with adjectives and verbs in gender, number, and case—e.g., use feminine adjectives like "крутая лестница" (steep stairs). In informal speech, it might be shortened in compounds, but avoid this in formal writing.

Common Errors:

• Confusing cases: English learners often use the nominative form "лестница" in all contexts, e.g., incorrectly saying "Я иду к лестница" instead of "Я иду к лестнице" (correct genitive). Explanation: Russian requires the dative case after prepositions like "к" (to), so always check the case requirements.

• Overgeneralizing: Mistaking "лестница" for outdoor structures only, leading to errors like using "лестница" for "steps in a garden" when "терраса" might be more appropriate. Correct usage: Stick to indoor or built-in stairs; for outdoor, consider context-specific words.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, staircases in historic buildings like those in Moscow or St. Petersburg often symbolize social mobility or historical events, as seen in literature by authors like Dostoevsky. For instance, in urban apartments (kommunalki), shared staircases can represent community interactions, reflecting the communal living traditions of the Soviet era.

Related Concepts:

• Лифт (lift - elevator)
• Дверь (dver' - door)
• Окно (okno - window)
• Крыша (krysha - roof)