Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'stride'

English Word: stride

Key Russian Translations:

• шаг /ʂag/ - [Noun, Common, Used in everyday contexts for steps or paces]
• шагать /ʂaˈɡatʲ/ - [Verb, Informal, Used to describe walking with purpose or long steps]
• размашистый шаг /rəzmɐˈʂɨstɨj ʂag/ - [Noun Phrase, Formal, Used specifically for a wide or energetic stride, often in literary or descriptive contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations are commonly encountered in everyday Russian conversation, literature, and media, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary like "идти").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level can grasp the basic usage, but mastering inflections and nuances may require practice. For 'шагать' as a verb, it aligns with B1, while 'шаг' as a noun is closer to A2.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

шаг: /ʂag/ (The 'ш' sound is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, similar to the 'sh' in 'shoe', but softer and more palatalized in Russian.)

шагать: /ʂaˈɡatʲ/ (Note on шагать: The verb ends with a palatalized 'тʲ', which affects the preceding vowel; this can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonant.)

размашистый шаг: /rəzmɐˈʂɨstɨj ʂag/ (Note on размашистый шаг: Stress on the third syllable of 'размашистый'; practice the rolling 'р' for natural pronunciation.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A long, decisive step or pace (as a noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• шаг - Used in contexts involving walking, measurement, or progress, such as in sports or daily movement. Often implies a purposeful or extended step.
• размашистый шаг - Applied in more descriptive or formal settings, like describing a confident walk in literature or physical education.

Usage Examples:

• Он сделал уверенный шаг вперед. (He took a confident stride forward.)

  English: He took a confident step forward. (This example shows 'шаг' in a motivational or action-oriented context.)

• Ее размашистый шаг эхом отражался в коридоре. (Her wide stride echoed down the hallway.)

  English: Her wide stride echoed down the hallway. (Illustrates 'размашистый шаг' in a descriptive, narrative setting.)

• В горах каждый шаг требует усилий. (In the mountains, every stride requires effort.)

  English: In the mountains, every step requires effort. (Demonstrates 'шаг' in an adventurous or challenging context.)

• Шаг ребенка был неуверенным. (The child's stride was unsteady.)

  English: The child's step was unsteady. (Shows variation in 'шаг' for different ages or conditions.)

Meaning 2: To walk with long, purposeful steps (as a verb)

Translation(s) & Context:

• шагать - Informal verb for striding, often implying steady or determined movement, common in spoken language or instructions.

Usage Examples:

• Он шагал по улице, не замечая дождя. (He strode down the street, ignoring the rain.)

  English: He walked with long steps down the street, ignoring the rain. (This highlights 'шагать' in an everyday, resilient context.)

• Солдаты шагали в ногу. (The soldiers strode in step.)

  English: The soldiers marched in unison. (Shows 'шагать' in a military or organized setting.)

• Она шагала по пляжу, наслаждаясь волнами. (She strode along the beach, enjoying the waves.)

  English: She walked with long steps along the beach, enjoying the waves. (Illustrates leisure or relaxed usage.)

• Дети шагали домой после школы. (The children strode home after school.)

  English: The children walked with purpose home after school. (Demonstrates 'шагать' in a routine, youthful context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'шаг' (a masculine noun, third declension), it follows standard Russian noun patterns with regular inflections. It is invariant in the plural for some uses but changes in cases.

For 'шагать' (a verb, first conjugation), it has regular conjugations across tenses and persons. Example in present tense:

'Размашистый шаг' is a phrase; 'размашистый' (adjective) inflects regularly as a short-form adjective in agreements.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: походка (gait), шагание (walking style), хода (manner of walking) - Note: 'походка' emphasizes overall walking style, while 'шаг' is more about individual steps.
• Antonyms: стояние (standing), остановка (stop) - These imply lack of movement, contrasting with the dynamic nature of 'шаг'.

Related Phrases:

• Быстрый шаг - A quick stride; used in contexts like hurrying or marching, implying speed without running.
• Шаг вперёд - A step forward; often metaphorical for progress or advancement in personal or professional life.
• Твёрдый шаг - A firm stride; conveys confidence and determination, common in motivational speeches.

Usage Notes:

• 'Шаг' directly corresponds to 'stride' as a noun in physical contexts but can be more general for any step; choose it when emphasizing measurement or action.
• 'Шагать' is ideal for verb forms, similar to 'to stride', but it's informal—opt for more formal alternatives like 'идти широким шагом' in professional settings.
• Grammar note: Always pay attention to case inflections; for example, use genitive 'шага' after prepositions like 'без' (without a stride).
• When multiple translations exist, select based on context: 'размашистый шаг' for descriptive narratives, 'шаг' for simplicity.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'шаг' with 'шагать' and using the noun as a verb, e.g., saying "Я шаг" instead of "Я шагаю". Correct: Use 'шагать' for actions. Explanation: Russian verbs require proper conjugation; this mix-up stems from English's less inflected structure.
• Error: Incorrect inflection, e.g., using 'шаги' (plural) when singular is needed, like "Он сделал шаги" for a single stride. Correct: "Он сделал шаг". Explanation: Overgeneralizing plurals can alter meaning; always match number to context.
• Error: Mispronouncing the 'ш' sound as in English 'sh', making it sound like 'sahg' instead of /ʂag/. Correct: Practice the Russian 'ш' for clarity. Explanation: This leads to comprehension issues in spoken Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like 'шаг вперёд' often carry metaphorical weight in literature and history, symbolizing progress during events like the Soviet era or in modern self-help contexts. For instance, it echoes themes in works by authors like Tolstoy, where a character's stride might represent personal resolve or societal change.

Related Concepts:

• Бег (running)
• Походка (gait)
• Движение (movement)