Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'stretch'

English Word: stretch

Key Russian Translations:

• растянуть [rɐˈstʲænʲutʲ] - [Informal, often used for physical actions]
• тянуть [ˈtʲænʲutʲ] - [Formal, applicable in broader contexts like pulling or extending]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday conversations, especially in fitness or physical descriptions)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and context, with растянуть being slightly easier than тянуть for beginners)

Pronunciation (Russian):

растянуть: [rɐˈstʲænʲutʲ]

Note on растянуть: The stress falls on the second syllable, which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 't' sound; pronounce it with a soft, rolled 'r'.

тянуть: [ˈtʲænʲutʲ]

Note on тянуть: The initial 't' is palatalized, making it sound softer; common in formal speech but avoid over-emphasizing the 'y' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To extend or pull out to full length (e.g., physical stretching)

Translation(s) & Context:

• растянуть - Used in informal, everyday contexts for physical actions like stretching muscles or objects; common in sports or daily routines.
• тянуть - Applied in more formal or metaphorical contexts, such as stretching time or pulling something taut.

Usage Examples:

• Я растянул мышцы перед утренней пробежкой, чтобы избежать травм.

  I stretched my muscles before my morning run to avoid injuries.

• Она тянула резинку, демонстрируя её эластичность.

  She stretched the elastic band, demonstrating its flexibility.

• Мы растянули canvas для картины, чтобы он был идеально ровным.

  We stretched the canvas for the painting to make it perfectly even.

• Он тянул верёвку, пытаясь её удлинить.

  He stretched the rope, trying to lengthen it.

• Дети растянули прыжок на скакалке, играя на улице.

  The kids stretched their jump rope play, having fun outside.

To prolong or extend in time (e.g., metaphorical stretching)

Translation(s) & Context:

• тянуть - Used for extending duration, like in time management; less common for physical actions in formal writing.

Usage Examples:

• Он тянул встречу, чтобы обсудить все детали.

  He stretched the meeting to discuss all the details.

• Компания тянула сроки проекта из-за нехватки ресурсов.

  The company stretched the project deadlines due to a lack of resources.

• Я не хочу тянуть этот разговор; давай перейдём к делу.

  I don't want to stretch this conversation; let's get to the point.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For растянуть (a perfective verb), it follows irregular patterns typical of Russian verbs. It is conjugated based on aspect, tense, and person. Below is a table for its key forms:

For тянуть (an imperfective verb), it has more regular conjugations and can indicate ongoing actions:

Both verbs do not change in gender or number in all forms but follow aspectual rules in Russian grammar.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: вытянуть (to pull out, similar but more forceful), протяжить (to extend, often for lines or distances) - Вытянуть is preferred in physical contexts, while протяжить implies lengthening over time.
• Antonyms: сжать (to squeeze or contract) - This is used when the opposite action of compressing is needed.

Related Phrases:

• растянуть время - To stretch time (procrastinate or extend a period) - Often used in informal settings to describe delaying tasks.
• тянуть за собой - To drag along (metaphorically, like pulling something behind) - Implies carrying extra burden in conversations.
• растянуть на весь день - To stretch out over the whole day - Common in planning contexts for activities.

Usage Notes:

Растянуть is the most direct translation for the physical act of stretching, similar to English "stretch," but it's perfective, implying completion. Use тянуть for ongoing actions or metaphorical extensions, as it aligns with imperfective aspects. Be mindful of context: in formal writing, тянуть might be preferred, while растянуть suits casual speech. English speakers often confuse aspect; choose based on whether the action is completed or habitual.

• When "stretch" means physical exercise, растянуть is ideal.
• For time-related extensions, тянуть provides a more natural fit.

Common Errors:

One common error is using растянуть for non-physical stretching, like time, where тянуть is more appropriate. For example:

• Incorrect: *Растянуть встречу* (implies a completed physical stretch, which is awkward).
• Correct: Тянуть встречу (means to prolong the meeting ongoingly).
• Explanation: English learners might overlook Russian verb aspects; always check if the action is perfective or imperfective to avoid misuse.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, stretching (e.g., using растянуть in fitness) is emphasized in daily routines and sports, reflecting a broader appreciation for physical health influenced by Soviet-era gymnastics programs. It's often associated with preparation for activities like ballet or winter sports, adding a cultural layer to its usage beyond mere physicality.

Related Concepts:

• упражнение (exercise)
• растяжка (stretching routine)
• эластичность (elasticity)