Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'stick'

English Word: stick

Key Russian Translations:

• палка /ˈpalkə/ - [Noun, Informal, Singular; used for a physical object like a branch or rod]
• приклеить /prʲɪˈklʲeɪtʲ/ - [Verb, Formal; used in the context of attaching or gluing]
• держаться /dʲɪrˈʐat͡sə/ - [Verb, Informal; used metaphorically for sticking to something, like an idea or position]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversation, literature, and technical contexts, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary like "дом" for house)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun and verb inflections; for "палка," it's straightforward, but "приклеить" involves verb conjugation, which may vary by translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

палка: /ˈpalkə/ (Stress on the first syllable; the "л" is soft, making it sound like "pahl-kuh")

приклеить: /prʲɪˈklʲeɪtʲ/ (Stress on the third syllable; note the palatalized "р" and "л," which can be challenging for English speakers due to the soft consonants)

держаться: /dʲɪrˈʐat͡sə/ (Stress on the third syllable; the "ж" sound is like the "s" in "measure," and the reflexive ending "-ся" adds a subtle nuance)

Note on приклеить: This verb has imperfective and perfective forms; the pronunciation can vary slightly in fast speech, where the palatalization might soften further.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A long, thin piece of wood or similar material (Noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• палка - Used in everyday contexts for a physical stick, such as in nature, tools, or games; informal and common in spoken Russian.

Usage Examples:

• Я нашел палку в лесу и использовал ее как опору.

  I found a stick in the forest and used it as a support.

• Дети играют с палками на улице, pretending to be swordsmen.

  Children play with sticks on the street, pretending to be swordsmen.

• Эта палка слишком хрупкая, чтобы использовать ее в костре.

  This stick is too fragile to use in a fire.

• В парке лежат палки от сломанных деревьев после бури.

  In the park, there are sticks from broken trees after the storm.

• Он взял палку и нарисовал круг на земле.

  He took a stick and drew a circle on the ground.

Meaning 2: To attach or glue something (Verb)

Translation(s) & Context:

• приклеить - Used in contexts involving adhesion, like crafts or repairs; formal and precise, often in imperative or past tense.

Usage Examples:

• Пожалуйста, приклей картинку к бумаге осторожно.

  Please stick the picture to the paper carefully.

• Я приклеил пластырь на рану, чтобы остановить кровь.

  I stuck a band-aid on the wound to stop the bleeding.

• В мастерской они приклеивают детали к модели самолета.

  In the workshop, they stick parts to the model airplane.

• Не забудь приклеить этикетку на коробку перед отправкой.

  Don't forget to stick the label on the box before shipping.

• Она приклеила фото в альбом, чтобы сохранить воспоминания.

  She stuck the photo in the album to preserve the memories.

Meaning 3: To adhere or persist (Verb, metaphorical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• держаться - Used metaphorically for sticking to a plan, idea, or position; informal and versatile in emotional or motivational contexts.

Usage Examples:

• В трудные времена нужно держаться своих принципов.

  In tough times, you need to stick to your principles.

• Он держался плана, несмотря на отвлечения.

  He stuck to the plan despite distractions.

• Держись своих друзей, они помогут в трудный момент.

  Stick with your friends; they'll help in a tough moment.

• В спорте важно держаться цели до конца.

  In sports, it's important to stick to your goal until the end.

• Она держалась работы, даже когда предлагали уйти.

  She stuck with her job, even when offers to leave came up.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "палка" (feminine noun, 1st declension):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	палка	палки
Genitive	палки	палок
Dative	палке	палкам
Accusative	палку	палки
Instrumental	палкой	палками
Prepositional	палке	палках

For "приклеить" (verb, perfective; imperfective: приклеивать):

Tense/Form	Example
Present (Imperfective)	приклеиваю, приклеиваешь, etc.
Past	приклеил (m.), приклеила (f.), приклеило (n.)
Future	приклею, приклеишь, etc.

For "держаться" (reflexive verb): It follows standard verb conjugation with reflexive particle "-ся," e.g., present: держусь, держишься; past: держался.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • палка: ветка (branch; more specific to trees)
  • приклеить: склеить (to glue; implies stronger adhesion)
  • держаться: придерживаться (to adhere; more formal for sticking to rules)
• Antonyms:
  • палка: нет прямого антонима, но противоположно "мягкий объект" как подушка
  • приклеить: оторвать (to tear off)
  • держаться: отказаться (to refuse; in a metaphorical sense)

Related Phrases:

• Палка в колесе - A stick in the wheel (a phrase meaning an obstacle or hindrance)
• Приклеить ярлык - To stick a label (used metaphorically for labeling someone unfairly)
• Держаться за соломинку - To stick to a straw (equivalent to "grasping at straws," indicating desperation)

Usage Notes:

"Stick" in English has multiple senses, and Russian translations vary accordingly. For "палка," it's a direct noun equivalent but avoid using it metaphorically where "держаться" fits better. "Приклеить" is ideal for physical attachment and is often used in formal or instructional contexts, while "держаться" suits abstract persistence. Be mindful of gender and case in Russian sentences, as "палка" is feminine. When choosing between translations, consider the context: informal speech prefers "палка" or "держаться," while technical writing might use "приклеить."

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "палка" metaphorically, e.g., saying "Я палка к плану" instead of "Я держусь плана." Correct: "держусь" for sticking to an idea. Explanation: "Палка" is literal; mixing it with abstract meanings confuses native speakers.
• Error: Incorrect verb conjugation, e.g., saying "приклей" without proper aspect (saying the imperfective when perfective is needed). Correct: Use "приклеить" for completed actions. Explanation: Russian verbs have aspects; English learners often overlook this, leading to imprecise tense usage.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like "палка в колесе" reflect a historical emphasis on resilience and overcoming obstacles, often drawn from rural or folk traditions where sticks were everyday tools. This can tie into broader themes of perseverance in Russian literature, such as in works by Tolstoy, where "держаться" symbolizes moral steadfastness during hardship.

Related Concepts:

• ветка (branch)
• склеивать (to glue)
• придерживаться (to adhere to)