Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'swing'

English Word: swing

Key Russian Translations:

• качели [kɐˈt͡ɕelʲi] - [Noun, Informal, Plural; used for playground swings]
• качать [kɐˈt͡ɕatʲ] - [Verb, Informal; used for the action of swinging or rocking]
• свинг [svʲing] - [Noun, Neutral; borrowed from English, used in music contexts like jazz swing]

Frequency: Medium - 'качели' and 'качать' are common in everyday conversations, especially in family or recreational settings, while 'свинг' is more niche in music discussions.

Difficulty: B1 for 'качели' and 'качать' (Intermediate, as they involve basic noun and verb conjugations); C1 for 'свинг' (Advanced, due to its specialized cultural context and loanword status).

Pronunciation (Russian):

качели: [kɐˈt͡ɕelʲi]

качать: [kɐˈt͡ɕatʲ]

Note on качать: The 'ч' sound is a soft palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like 'ch' in 'church' but softer. Variations may occur in dialects.

свинг: [svʲing]

Note on свинг: Pronounced with a soft 'в' (as in 'v' with a slight 'y' glide), reflecting its English origin; stress is on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A seat suspended by ropes or chains, on which someone may sit and swing back and forth (e.g., playground swing).

Translation(s) & Context:

• качели - Commonly used in informal, everyday contexts like parks or homes with children.

Usage Examples:

• Дети весело качаются на качелях в парке.

  Children are happily swinging on the swings in the park.

• Эти качели в саду уже старые, но всё ещё крепкие.

  These swings in the garden are old but still sturdy.

• На детской площадке установлены новые качели для малышей.

  New swings have been installed on the playground for toddlers.

• Летом мы часто ходим на качели у реки.

  In the summer, we often go to the swings by the river.

• Качели могут быть опасными, если не закреплены правильно.

  Swings can be dangerous if not secured properly.

Meaning 2: To move back and forth or oscillate (e.g., verb form of swinging).

Translation(s) & Context:

• качать - Used in dynamic contexts, such as physical motion or metaphorical swinging, often in informal speech.

Usage Examples:

• Он качает головой, не веря услышанному.

  He is shaking his head, not believing what he heard.

• Ветер качает деревья во время бури.

  The wind is swaying the trees during the storm.

• Мама качает колыбель, убаюкивая ребёнка.

  Mom is rocking the cradle to lull the baby to sleep.

• Танцор качает бёдрами в ритме музыки.

  The dancer is swinging his hips to the rhythm of the music.

• Иногда жизнь качает нас, как маятник.

  Sometimes life swings us like a pendulum.

Meaning 3: A style of jazz music characterized by a swinging rhythm (e.g., musical swing).

Translation(s) & Context:

• свинг - Primarily used in cultural or artistic contexts, such as music discussions or events.

Usage Examples:

• В клубе играют классический свинг с саксофоном.

  In the club, they're playing classic swing with a saxophone.

• Свинг стал популярным в 1930-е годы в Америке.

  Swing became popular in the 1930s in America.

• Её танец в стиле свинга зажёг публику.

  Her swing dance performance electrified the audience.

• Музыкальный фестиваль включает выступления в жанре свинга.

  The music festival includes performances in the swing genre.

• Свинг сочетает джаз и ритм, чтобы создать энергичный звук.

  Swing combines jazz and rhythm to create an energetic sound.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'качели' (noun, feminine plural): This is an irregular plural noun that does not change in most cases but follows first-declension patterns in oblique cases.

Case	Singular (if applicable)	Plural
Nominative	N/A (always plural)	качели
Genitive	N/A	качелей
Dative	N/A	качелям
Accusative	N/A	качели
Instrumental	N/A	качелями
Prepositional	N/A	качелях

For 'качать' (verb, imperfective): This is a first-conjugation verb with regular inflections. It changes based on tense, aspect, and person.

Tense	Person	Form
Present	1st singular	качаю
Present	2nd singular	качаешь
Present	3rd singular	качает
Past	Masculine	качал
Future	1st singular	буду качать

For 'свинг' (noun, masculine, indeclinable): This is a loanword that does not inflect and remains the same in all cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Для 'качели': качалка (kachálka) - A variant for a specific type of swing, often used in homes.
  • Для 'качать': раскачивать (rasakáчивать) - Implies a more forceful swinging motion.
  • Для 'свинг': джазовый ритм (dzházovyy ritm) - Describes the musical style more descriptively.
• Antonyms:
  • Для 'качать': остановить (ostanóvit') - To stop the motion.
  • Для 'свинг': классика (klássika) - Referring to more traditional, non-swing music styles.

Related Phrases:

• Качели в парке - Swings in the park; commonly used in family outings.
• Качать головой - To shake one's head; indicates disbelief or denial.
• Свинг-дэнс - Swing dance; a partnered dance style popular in social events.
• Ритм свинга - The rhythm of swing; refers to the upbeat tempo in music.

Usage Notes:

'Swing' as 'качели' directly corresponds to everyday objects but is always plural in Russian, so avoid using it in singular forms. For the verb 'качать', it's imperfective, implying ongoing action, which aligns with English progressive tenses. When choosing between translations, use 'свинг' only in cultural contexts to maintain accuracy. Be mindful of formality: 'качать' is neutral but can sound informal in daily speech.

Common Errors:

• Error: Treating 'качели' as a singular noun, e.g., saying "эта качели" instead of "эти качели".
  Correct: Use plural agreements, e.g., "эти качели". Explanation: Russian nouns like this are inherently plural, so verb and adjective agreements must reflect that.
• Error: Misconjugating 'качать' in present tense, e.g., saying "я качат" instead of "я качаю".
  Correct: "Я качаю" for first person singular. Explanation: Follow standard verb conjugation rules to avoid basic grammar mistakes.
• Error: Using 'свинг' in non-musical contexts, e.g., for a playground swing.
  Correct: Use 'качели' instead. Explanation: 'Свинг' is a loanword specific to music, so overgeneralizing it can lead to confusion in communication.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'качели' often evoke childhood memories and are a staple in parks, symbolizing simple joys and family time. 'Свинг' as a music genre reflects Russia's adoption of Western influences, particularly through jazz in the Soviet era, where it was both celebrated and censored, adding a layer of historical nuance to its usage.

Related Concepts:

• Маятник (pendulum)
• Ритм (rhythm)
• Танец (dance)
• Игра (play, as in children's activities)