Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tack'

English Word: tack

Key Russian Translations:

• гвоздь [ɡvozdʲ] - [Informal, Common noun]
• галс [ɡals] - [Used in sailing or nautical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday language for 'гвоздь', less frequent for 'галс')

Difficulty: B1 for 'гвоздь' (Intermediate, as it involves basic noun declensions), A2 for 'галс' (Beginner, straightforward but context-specific)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гвоздь: [ɡvozdʲ]

Note on гвоздь: The 'дь' represents a soft 'd' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers as it's similar to the 'd' in 'dew' but softer; stress is on the first syllable.

галс: [ɡals]

Note on галс: Pronounced with a hard 'g' as in 'go', and the 's' is soft; no major variations in standard Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A small nail or pin (common hardware item)

Translation(s) & Context:

• гвоздь - Used in everyday contexts for fastening objects, such as in construction or home repair; informal and neutral register.

Usage Examples:

• Я прибил картину гвоздем к стене.

  I attached the picture to the wall with a tack.

• В ящике лежат несколько гвоздей для ремонта.

  There are several tacks in the box for repairs.

• Не используйте ржавый гвоздь, он может сломаться.

  Don't use a rusty tack; it might break.

• Гвозди разных размеров подходят для разных задач.

  Tacks of various sizes are suitable for different tasks.

Meaning 2: A course or direction in sailing (change of direction)

Translation(s) & Context:

• галс - Used specifically in nautical or maritime contexts; formal and technical register, often in literature or professional sailing discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Капитан сменил галс, чтобы избежать шторма.

  The captain changed tack to avoid the storm.

• В парусном спорте важно правильно управлять галсами.

  In sailing sports, it's important to manage tacks properly.

• Они шли на правом галсе весь день.

  They were on a starboard tack all day.

• Изменение галса требует точного расчета ветра.

  Changing tack requires precise wind calculation.

• Галс был слишком крутой, и лодка накренилась.

  The tack was too sharp, and the boat heeled over.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'гвоздь' (a masculine noun, 3rd declension), it follows standard Russian noun inflections with irregularities in some cases:

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	гвоздь	гвозди
Genitive	гвоздя	гвоздей
Dative	гвоздю	гвоздям
Accusative	гвоздь	гвозди
Instrumental	гвоздём	гвоздями
Prepositional	гвозде	гвоздях

For 'галс' (also a masculine noun, but with less variation), it is relatively invariable in modern usage: Nominative singular 'галс', plural 'галсы'; it doesn't change in most cases due to its loanword status.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for гвоздь: болт (bolt, with a slight difference in size and use), штифт (pin, more for mechanical contexts)
• Synonyms for галс: курс (course, broader nautical term)
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as these are concrete nouns; for sailing contexts, perhaps противоположный курс (opposite course, implying a reverse direction).

Related Phrases:

• загнать гвоздь - To drive in a nail; used in DIY or construction scenarios.
• выдернуть гвоздь - To pull out a nail; implies removal in repair work.
• сменить галс - To change tack; a phrase in sailing for altering direction based on wind.
• держать галс - To hold a tack; means maintaining a course in nautical settings.

Usage Notes:

'Гвоздь' directly corresponds to the hardware meaning of 'tack' in English, but it's more general for nails; use it in informal daily conversations. 'Галс' is specific to sailing and doesn't have a direct everyday equivalent, so choose it only in technical contexts. Be mindful of Russian's grammatical cases—always decline 'гвоздь' based on sentence role. For multiple translations, select based on context: 'гвоздь' for physical objects and 'галс' for navigation. Russian often pairs these with verbs like 'прибить' (to attach) for emphasis.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'гвоздь' without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я взял гвоздь" in a context requiring genitive like "Я взял гвоздя из ящика" (correct: "гвоздя"). Explanation: English speakers often overlook case changes; always adjust for the noun's role in the sentence.

• Error: Confusing 'галс' with 'курс' and using it outside sailing, e.g., "Я изменил галс в жизни" (incorrect for life changes). Correct: Use 'курс' for general directions; 'галс' is strictly nautical to avoid sounding unnatural.

• Error: Pronouncing 'гвоздь' as [ɡvozd] without the soft 'дь'. Correct pronunciation: [ɡvozdʲ], as the soft sign affects the sound; this can make the word harder to understand in conversation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'гвоздь' might evoke practical, hands-on imagery from rural or Soviet-era life, where DIY repairs were common due to resourcefulness. 'Галс' relates to Russia's naval history, such as in literature by authors like Tolstoy, symbolizing adaptability in challenging environments like the vast seas or historical explorations.

Related Concepts:

• болт
• штифт
• курс
• парус