Russian Translation(s) & Details for '{{stinger}}'

English Word: {{stinger}}

Key Russian Translations:

• жало [ʐɐˈɫo] - [Informal, Used for physical objects like an insect's stinger]
• укол [uˈkol] - [Formal, Used in medical or metaphorical contexts, e.g., a sting or prick]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language, especially in nature-related discussions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like "hello").

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary, suitable for beginners; involves basic noun declensions, but pronunciation of 'ж' may pose a slight challenge for English speakers).

Pronunciation (Russian):

жало: [ʐɐˈɫo]

Note on жало: The 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in English "measure." Stress falls on the second syllable, which is common in Russian neuter nouns.

укол: [uˈkol]

Note on укол: The 'у' is pronounced as a short vowel, and the word has stress on the second syllable. Be careful with the soft 'л' sound, which is palatalized.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A sharp, pointed organ used by insects to sting (e.g., a bee's stinger)

Translation(s) & Context:

• жало - Used in informal, everyday descriptions of insects or nature; common in spoken language.
• укол - Used in more formal or metaphorical contexts, such as medical stings or figurative pain.

Usage Examples:

• Пчела использует своё жало для защиты от врагов.

  The bee uses its stinger to defend against enemies.

• Если оса ужалит, то её жало может остаться в коже.

  If a wasp stings, its stinger might get stuck in the skin.

• Врачи используют укол для введения лекарств, но это не то же самое, что укус насекомого.

  Doctors use an injection for administering medicine, but it's not the same as an insect sting.

• Дети боятся жала пчелы, потому что оно вызывает боль.

  Children are afraid of a bee's stinger because it causes pain.

Meaning 2: A metaphorical sting, such as in drinks or media (e.g., a cocktail or a plot twist)

Translation(s) & Context:

• укол - Often used for a sharp, sudden sensation or effect, like in a cocktail's "kick."
• жало - Less common here, but can imply a hidden danger in storytelling.

Usage Examples:

• Этот коктейль имеет укол перца, который придаёт ему остроту.

  This cocktail has a peppery sting that gives it a sharp edge.

• В конце фильма есть жало, которое заставляет зрителей задуматься.

  At the end of the movie, there's a stinger that makes the audience think.

• Укол адреналина может быть как полезным, так и опасным.

  An adrenaline sting can be both helpful and dangerous.

• Её слова были как жало, оставившее след в его сердце.

  Her words were like a stinger, leaving a mark on his heart.

• В напитке чувствуется лёгкий укол цитруса.

  The drink has a light citrus sting.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "жало" and "укол" are neuter nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard neuter declension patterns. "Жало" is a third-declension noun and inflects regularly, while "укол" is more straightforward. Below is a table for their key inflections:

Note: These nouns do not change in plural forms as they are not commonly pluralized, but if needed, "жала" can become "жалы" in plural nominative.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • жало: остриё (ostriyo) - A pointed tip, often for weapons.
  • укол: уксус (uksus) - In metaphorical senses, like a sharp taste, but less direct; or инъекция (inyektsiya) for medical contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • For жало: защита (zashchita) - Protection, as it contrasts with something that causes harm.
  • For укол: облегчение (oblegchenie) - Relief, opposing the idea of pain or sting.

Related Phrases:

• Жало пчелы (Zhalo pchely) - Bee's stinger; a common phrase in discussions about insects and allergies.
• Укол совести (Ukol sovesti) - Pang of conscience; used metaphorically for a moral sting.
• Острое жало (Ostroe zhalo) - Sharp stinger; implies intensity in descriptions of pain or danger.

Usage Notes:

{{stinger}} in English often refers to a physical or metaphorical sharp point, and in Russian, "жало" is the most direct equivalent for insect-related contexts, while "укол" suits medical or abstract uses. Choose "жало" for informal, everyday speech and "укол" for formal writing. Be mindful of gender agreements in sentences, as both are neuter nouns. In Russian, these words can imply cultural nuances, like the danger of nature, so use them carefully in idiomatic expressions.

• Always consider the context: "жало" is more vivid and sensory, whereas "укол" is clinical.
• For learners, practice declensions to avoid errors in complex sentences.

Common Errors:

English speakers often confuse "жало" with "жара" (heat), due to similar pronunciation of 'ж'. For example, a common mistake is saying "жара пчелы" instead of "жало пчелы," which would mean "bee's heat" rather than "bee's stinger." Correct usage: Use "жало" for the stinger and explain it as "The correct word is жало, not жара, to describe the insect's defense mechanism."

Another error is improper declension, like using "жало" in the genitive as "жала" but forgetting agreement in sentences, e.g., saying "цветок жала" instead of "цветок с жалом" (flower with a stinger).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "жало" often evokes imagery from folklore, such as stories of bees and stings in fairy tales like those by Pushkin, symbolizing both danger and the beauty of nature. It's tied to rural life and beekeeping traditions in Russia, where bees are seen as symbols of hard work and community.

Related Concepts:

• пчела (pchela) - Bee
• яд (yad) - Poison
• боль (bol') - Pain