Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sting'

English Word: sting

Key Russian Translations:

• жалить [ʐɐˈlʲitʲ] - [Verb, Informal, Used for insects or animals causing pain]
• укол [uˈkol] - [Noun, Formal, Plural: уколы, Used in medical or physical pain contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversations about nature, health, or sensations, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and noun declensions, but accessible with basic Russian grammar knowledge. For 'жалить', it's B1; for 'укол', it's A2 due to its regularity).

Pronunciation (Russian):

жалить: [ʐɐˈlʲitʲ]

укол: [uˈkol]

Note on жалить: The initial 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure' in English, which can be challenging for beginners. Stress falls on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A sharp, painful sensation caused by an insect or injection (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• укол - Used in medical contexts, such as a vaccine or accidental prick; common in formal or health-related discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Пчела жалит, если её потревожить. (The bee stings if you disturb it.)

  Translation: The bee stings if you disturb it. (This example shows the verb in a simple present tense, describing animal behavior.)

• Этот укол был очень болезненным. (This sting was very painful.)

  Translation: This sting was very painful. (Illustrates the noun in a declarative sentence about physical sensation.)

• После укуса осы я почувствовал сильный укол. (After the wasp's sting, I felt a strong sting.)

  Translation: After the wasp's sting, I felt a strong sting. (Demonstrates combination with related words in a narrative context.)

• Дети боятся жалить насекомых. (Children are afraid of stinging insects.)

  Translation: Children are afraid of stinging insects. (Shows the verb in a general statement about fear.)

• Укол от вакцины оставил лёгкий след. (The sting from the vaccine left a light mark.)

  Translation: The sting from the vaccine left a light mark. (Used in a medical context with past tense.)

Meaning 2: To cause a sharp pain, as with an insect (Verb form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• жалить - Informal verb for actions by insects or metaphorically for sharp pains; used in everyday or descriptive language.

Usage Examples:

• Медведь может жалить, если приблизиться слишком близко. (A bear can sting if you get too close – though typically for insects, this is metaphorical.)

  Translation: A bear can sting if you get too close. (This adapts to animal contexts, showing metaphorical extension.)

• Эта крапива жалит кожу при прикосновении. (This nettle stings the skin upon contact.)

  Translation: This nettle stings the skin upon contact. (Illustrates the verb with plants in a descriptive sentence.)

• После того, как пчела жалит, опухоль появляется быстро. (After the bee stings, swelling appears quickly.)

  Translation: After the bee stings, swelling appears quickly. (Shows sequence in a health-related context.)

• Не жалите меня! (Don't sting me!)

  Translation: Don't sting me! (Imperative form in a direct address, often playful or urgent.)

• Жалить – это защитный механизм насекомых. (To sting is a defensive mechanism for insects.)

  Translation: To sting is a defensive mechanism for insects. (Used in an infinitive form for explanatory purposes.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'жалить' (verb, first conjugation, irregular in some aspects):

This is a first-conjugation verb with standard endings, but it has irregularities in perfective aspects. Base form: жалить (imperfective). Perfective: укусить (to sting once).

For 'укол' (noun, masculine, second declension):

This noun is regular and declines based on case and number. It is invariant in gender.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: укус (bite), колоть (to prick) – 'колоть' is similar but often used for stabbing or piercing, with a more forceful connotation.
• Antonyms: лечить (to heal) – Applies to alleviating pain, contrasting the act of causing it.

Related Phrases:

• Жалить, как пчела (To sting like a bee) – A phrase used metaphorically for sudden, sharp attacks in conversations.
• Укол совести (A sting of conscience) – Refers to a moral pang, often in emotional or ethical contexts.
• Получить укол (To get a sting/injection) – Common in medical settings, implying receiving a shot.

Usage Notes:

'Жалить' is primarily a verb for animal actions and should be used in imperfective forms for ongoing actions, while 'укол' as a noun corresponds closely to 'sting' in English for both literal and figurative pain. In formal contexts, prefer 'укол' for medical scenarios. Be cautious with verb conjugations, as Russian verbs change based on aspect; choose 'жалить' for repeated actions and 'укусить' for completed ones. When selecting between translations, use 'жалить' for dynamic events and 'укол' for static descriptions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'жалить' with 'укусить' and using it incorrectly in perfective contexts. Incorrect: Я укушу пчелу (I sting the bee – wrong subject). Correct: Пчела укусит меня (The bee will sting me). Explanation: 'Укусить' is the perfective form, so ensure the subject is the one causing the action.
• Error: Forgetting declension of 'укол' in sentences, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Incorrect: Я боюсь укол (in genitive context). Correct: Я боюсь укола. Explanation: Nouns in Russian must agree in case, so adjust based on the sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like 'укол совести' (sting of conscience) often appear in literature and proverbs, reflecting a deep emphasis on moral introspection, as seen in works by Dostoevsky. This highlights how everyday words can carry emotional weight in Russian storytelling.

Related Concepts:

• укус
• боль
• жало