Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'swivel'

English Word: swivel

Key Russian Translations:

• Шарнир [ʃɐrˈnʲir] - [Formal, Technical]
• Поворот [pɐˈvorət] - [Informal, General]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday conversation but appear in technical or mechanical contexts.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic mechanical terminology. For 'Шарнир', it's B1; for 'Поворот', it's A2 due to its more general use.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Шарнир: [ʃɐrˈnʲir]

Note on Шарнир: The stress is on the second syllable. Be careful with the soft 'нʲ' sound, which is a palatalized 'n' common in Russian. This can be tricky for English speakers used to non-palatalized consonants.

Audio: []

Поворот: [pɐˈvorət]

Note on Поворот: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'о' in the second syllable is pronounced as a short [ɐ], similar to the 'u' in "but" in English.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A device or mechanism that allows something to turn freely on a pivot (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Шарнир - Used in technical or engineering contexts, such as describing hinges or joints in machinery.
• Поворот - Used more generally for any turning motion or pivot, often in everyday descriptions of objects.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: В дверной петле установлен шарнир, который позволяет ей поворачиваться плавно.

  English Translation: In the door hinge, there is a swivel that allows it to turn smoothly.

• Русский пример: Этот стул имеет поворот, так что вы можете легко развернуться.

  English Translation: This chair has a swivel, so you can easily turn around.

• Русский пример: Инженер проверил шарнир в механизме, чтобы убедиться, что нет поломок.

  English Translation: The engineer checked the swivel in the mechanism to ensure there were no breaks.

• Русский пример: Благодаря повороту на основе, лампа может освещать разные углы комнаты.

  English Translation: Thanks to the swivel on the base, the lamp can illuminate different corners of the room.

• Русский пример: В старом замке шарнир двери скрипел от времени.

  English Translation: In the old castle, the door's swivel creaked from age.

Meaning 2: To turn or rotate quickly on a pivot (Verb form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Поворачивать - Used in dynamic contexts, such as describing motion in sports or daily activities.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Игрок быстро поворачивает на месте, чтобы избежать мяча.

  English Translation: The player quickly swivels in place to avoid the ball.

• Русский пример: Она поворачивает головой, услышав неожиданный шум.

  English Translation: She swivels her head upon hearing an unexpected noise.

• Русский пример: В танце партнер поворачивает партнершу вокруг оси.

  English Translation: In the dance, the partner swivels the partner around an axis.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'Шарнир' and 'Поворот' are masculine nouns in Russian, which follow standard declension patterns. 'Шарнир' is less commonly inflected in everyday use due to its technical nature, while 'Поворот' has regular inflections.

Note: 'Поворачивать' is a verb and conjugates regularly. For example, in present tense: Я поворачиваю (I swivel), Ты поворачиваешь (You swivel).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Шарнир: Петля (pivot, hinge) - Often used interchangeably in mechanical contexts.
  • Поворот: Разворот (turn) - Similar but implies a wider motion; used in driving or aviation.
• Antonyms:
  • Для 'Шарнир': Фиксатор (fixer, stabilizer) - Implies immobilization rather than movement.
  • Для 'Поворот': Остановка (stop) - Used to contrast with any form of turning.

Related Phrases:

• Шарнирный механизм - A swivel mechanism; used in engineering to describe rotating parts.
• Поворот на 180 градусов - A 180-degree swivel; common in descriptions of quick turns in navigation or sports.
• Легкий поворот - Easy swivel; refers to smooth, effortless rotation in everyday objects.

Usage Notes:

'Swivel' corresponds most closely to 'Шарнир' in technical English-Russian contexts, such as mechanics or furniture design, where precision is key. Use 'Поворот' for more general or informal situations. Be mindful of the noun's gender (masculine) in Russian sentences, which affects adjective agreement (e.g., "большой шарнир" for "big swivel"). In formal writing, opt for 'Шарнир' to maintain accuracy, while 'Поворот' is versatile for verbal descriptions. Grammar note: Always use the appropriate case based on sentence structure to avoid awkward phrasing.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'Шарнир' with 'Петля' (hinge) and using it incorrectly in non-mechanical contexts. Correct: Use 'Поворот' for general turning. Example of error: "Я использовал шарнир для поворота книги" (incorrect for a simple book turn). Correct: "Я использовал поворот для книги". Explanation: 'Шарнир' implies a specific device, not just any turn.

• Error: Mispronouncing the palatalized 'нʲ' in 'Шарнир' as a hard 'n'. Correct pronunciation: [ʃɐrˈnʲir]. Explanation: This can make the word sound unnatural; practice with native audio to master the soft sound.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'Шарнир' are prevalent in contexts involving machinery and innovation, reflecting Russia's historical emphasis on engineering and space technology (e.g., in Soviet-era designs). 'Поворот' might appear in literature or films to symbolize change or adaptability, as in classic works by authors like Tolstoy, where physical turns metaphorically represent life's pivots.

Related Concepts:

• Механизм
• Ось
• Поворотный