Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'staple'

English Word: staple

Key Russian Translations:

• Скобка [ˈskob.kə] - [Used for office supplies, Informal]
• Основной [ɐsˈnov.noj] - [Used as an adjective for essential or main items, Formal]
• Основа [ɐsˈno.və] - [Used as a noun for a basic element, especially in contexts like food or core components, Plural possible]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday contexts like office work or general discussions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate level for 'скобка' and 'основа' based on CEFR; requires basic understanding of noun declensions and adjective agreements; 'основной' is slightly easier at A2)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Скобка: [ˈskob.kə] (Stress on the first syllable; the 'o' is pronounced as a short 'o' sound)

Основной: [ɐsˈnov.noj] (Stress on the second syllable; note the soft 'n' sound before 'oj')

Основа: [ɐsˈno.və] (Stress on the second syllable; the final 'a' is reduced in casual speech)

Note on скобка: This word has a hard 'k' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers used to softer consonants; be careful with the vowel reduction in fast speech.

Note on основной: The ending '-ой' indicates an adjective in the nominative masculine singular form, which changes in agreement.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A U-shaped wire or pin used for fastening sheets of paper together (Noun, referring to an office supply)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Скобка - Used in formal and informal settings for office or stationery contexts, such as stapling documents.

Usage Examples:

• Я не могу найти скобку для этих документов. (I can't find a staple for these documents.)

  Translation: I can't find a staple for these documents. (This example shows the word in a simple declarative sentence, emphasizing everyday utility.)

• Скобка сломалась, и бумаги рассыпались. (The staple broke, and the papers scattered.)

  Translation: The staple broke, and the papers scattered. (Illustrates the word in a past tense context with consequences.)

• В офисе всегда должны быть скобки на случай необходимости. (In the office, there should always be staples in case of need.)

  Translation: In the office, there should always be staples in case of need. (Demonstrates plural form and conditional usage.)

• Он использовал скобку, чтобы скрепить пачку листов. (He used a staple to fasten a stack of sheets.)

  Translation: He used a staple to fasten a stack of sheets. (Shows the word in an action-oriented sentence with verbs.)

• Скобки в этом степлере износились от частого использования. (The staples in this stapler have worn out from frequent use.)

  Translation: The staples in this stapler have worn out from frequent use. (Highlights the word in a compound phrase with related tools.)

Meaning 2: A basic or essential item, especially in diet or as a core element (Noun or Adjective)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Основа - Used for fundamental items like food staples, in contexts of necessity or daily life.
• Основной - Used as an adjective to describe something primary or main, such as in "staple food."

Usage Examples:

• Рис является основой питания в многих азиатских странах. (Rice is a staple of the diet in many Asian countries.)

  Translation: Rice is a staple of the diet in many Asian countries. (This shows the word in a cultural and geographical context.)

• В рационе должны быть основные продукты, такие как хлеб и овощи. (The diet should include staple products like bread and vegetables.)

  Translation: The diet should include staple products like bread and vegetables. (Illustrates plural and listing in advice-giving sentences.)

• Эта основная ткань используется в производстве одежды. (This staple fabric is used in clothing production.)

  Translation: This staple fabric is used in clothing production. (Demonstrates metaphorical extension to materials.)

• Основные товары в магазине всегда в наличии. (Staple goods are always in stock at the store.)

  Translation: Staple goods are always in stock at the store. (Shows adjective form in a commercial context.)

• Без основы рациона невозможно поддерживать здоровье. (Without staples in the diet, it's impossible to maintain health.)

  Translation: Without staples in the diet, it's impossible to maintain health. (Emphasizes importance in health-related discussions.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'скобка' (feminine noun), it follows the standard first declension pattern with changes based on case and number. It does not have irregular forms.

For 'основной' (adjective), it agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies (e.g., основная for feminine, основные for plural). It is regular and follows standard adjective patterns.

For 'основа' (feminine noun), it is similar to 'скобка' and declines regularly across cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for скобка: Заклепка (zaklepka) - Used for similar fastening devices; Стяжка (styazhka) - For binding contexts, but less common.
• Synonyms for основа: База (baza) - More general for foundation; Корич (korich) - Informal for core elements.
• Synonyms for основной: Главный (glavnyy) - Primary or main, with a slight emphasis on leadership.
• Antonyms: Вспомогательный (vspomogatel'nyy) - Auxiliary or secondary, for 'основной'.

Related Phrases:

• Скрепить скобкой - To staple together; used in office or crafting contexts to mean fastening items securely.
• Основа рациона - Staple of the diet; refers to essential foods in nutrition discussions.
• Основные товары - Staple goods; common in shopping or economics to denote necessities.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'скобка' directly corresponds to the office supply meaning of 'staple' and is straightforward in usage, but ensure it agrees with case (e.g., use genitive for possession). For 'основа' or 'основной', they align with the essential or main aspects of 'staple'; choose 'основа' for nouns and 'основной' for adjectives based on context. Be mindful of formal settings where 'основной' is preferred, and avoid literal translations in idiomatic expressions. Grammar note: Adjectives like 'основной' must agree with the noun's gender, number, and case.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'скобка' interchangeably with 'степлер' (stapler device), e.g., saying "Я купил скобку" when meaning the whole stapler. Correct: "Я купил степлер" for the device, and "скобка" only for the individual fastener. Explanation: 'Скобка' refers specifically to the staple, not the tool, which confuses beginners.
• Error: Forgetting case agreement, e.g., saying "без скобка" instead of "без скобки". Correct: Use genitive "скобки" in prepositional phrases. Explanation: Russian nouns decline, so improper case can make sentences grammatically incorrect.
• Error: Overusing 'основной' for any 'staple' item without context, e.g., calling a luxury good 'основной'. Correct: Reserve for essentials only. Explanation: This dilutes the word's meaning, leading to imprecise communication.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'основа' for staples in diet reflect the historical importance of self-sufficiency, especially in rural or Soviet-era contexts where basic foods like bread were symbolic of stability and necessity.

Related Concepts:

• Степлер (stapler device)
• Продукты питания (food products)
• Необходимость (necessity)