Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'streak'

English Word: streak

Key Russian Translations:

• полоса [ˈpɐləsə] - [Formal; used for visual lines or bands, such as in art or nature]
• серия [ˈsʲerʲɪjə] - [Informal; used for a sequence of events, like a winning streak]
• полоска [ˈpɐləskə] - [Informal; diminutive form, for a small or narrow streak]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday contexts like sports, weather, or descriptions, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun inflections and context for "серия", while "полоса" is more straightforward for beginners)

Pronunciation (Russian):

полоса: [ˈpɐləsə]

серия: [ˈsʲerʲɪjə]

полоска: [ˈpɐləskə]

Note on полоса: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the soft "л" sound, which can be tricky for English speakers used to harder consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A line or band of a different color or substance (e.g., a visual streak)

Translation(s) & Context:

• полоса - Used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as describing patterns on fabric or in nature.
• полоска - Informal, for smaller or endearing streaks, like in children's drawings.

Usage Examples:

• На картине видна яркая полоса синего цвета.

  On the painting, a bright streak of blue color is visible.

• Полоска дождя промчалась по окну.

  A streak of rain dashed across the window.

• Художник добавил полосу золота для акцента.

  The artist added a streak of gold for emphasis.

• В небе появилась тонкая полоска облаков на закате.

  A thin streak of clouds appeared in the sky at sunset.

Meaning 2: A continuous series of successes or failures (e.g., a winning streak)

Translation(s) & Context:

• серия - Used in informal or sports-related contexts, implying repetition over time.

Usage Examples:

• Команда имела серию побед в последних матчах.

  The team had a winning streak in the recent matches.

• Его серия неудач закончилась неожиданным успехом.

  His streak of failures ended with an unexpected success.

• В инвестициях важно прерывать серию потерь.

  In investments, it's important to break a streak of losses.

• Атлет установил новую серию рекордов.

  The athlete set a new streak of records.

• Серия хороших дней сделала его оптимистом.

  A streak of good days made him optimistic.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

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

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	полоса	полосы
Genitive	полосы	полос
Dative	полосе	полосам
Accusative	полосу	полосы
Instrumental	полосой	полосами
Prepositional	полосе	полосах

For "серия" (feminine noun, 1st declension, similar to "полоса"):

It follows regular feminine patterns but is often used in fixed phrases. No irregular forms.

"Полоска" is a diminutive of "полоса" and inflects similarly but with a diminutive connotation.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • полоска (for small streaks; more affectionate than полоса)
  • линия (line; used when emphasizing straightness)
  • цепочка (chain; for streaks implying connection, e.g., in "серия")
• Antonyms:
  • разрыв (break; opposite of a continuous streak)
  • пятно (spot; irregular shape contrasting with a streak)

Related Phrases:

• Серия побед - A winning streak; used in sports to describe consecutive wins.
• Полоса от дождя - A streak from rain; refers to marks left by rain on surfaces.
• Полоска света - A streak of light; common in poetic or descriptive language.
• Серия неудач - A streak of bad luck; implies a run of misfortunes.

Usage Notes:

"Streak" translates variably in Russian based on context: use "полоса" for physical or visual lines, and "серия" for abstract sequences. In formal writing, opt for "полоса" to maintain precision, while "серия" is ideal for everyday conversations about achievements. Be mindful of gender agreements in sentences, as all these nouns are feminine. For example, adjectives must agree: "длинная полоса" (a long streak). When choosing between translations, consider the nuance— "полоска" adds a diminutive, affectionate tone not present in English.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "полоса" for abstract streaks, like in sports. Correct: English learners often say "полоса побед" instead of "серия побед". Explanation: "Полоса" implies a visual element, so it sounds odd; "серия" better conveys sequence.

• Error: Forgetting noun inflections, e.g., saying "в полоса" instead of "в полосе". Correct: Use the prepositional case "полосе" in contexts like "в полосе дождя". Explanation: Russian requires case changes based on prepositions, which can confuse English speakers used to fixed forms.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of a "streak" in "серия" often ties to resilience in folklore and literature, such as in stories where characters endure a series of trials (e.g., in Russian fairy tales like those by Pushkin). This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on perseverance, making phrases like "серия побед" not just literal but symbolic of national pride in sports events.

Related Concepts:

• узор (pattern)
• цепь (chain)
• поток (flow)