Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tatters'

English Word: tatters

Key Russian Translations:

• Лохмотья [lɐˈxmotʲjɪ] - [Noun, Plural, Informal; Used to describe ragged or torn pieces of cloth]
• Обрывки [ɐˈbrɨfkʲi] - [Noun, Plural, Neutral; Formal; Used in contexts involving fragments or scraps]

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

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level should understand basic noun inflections, but the nuances of plural forms may require practice. For 'Лохмотья', difficulty is B1; for 'Обрывки', it is A2 due to simpler structure.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Лохмотья: [lɐˈxmotʲjɪ]

Note on Лохмотья: The stress falls on the third syllable; the 'х' is pronounced as a guttural 'kh' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. A soft 'тʲ' adds a palatalized effect.

Audio: Audio placeholder for Лохмотья (click to play)

Обрывки: [ɐˈbrɨfkʲi]

Note on Обрывки: Stress on the second syllable; the 'ы' is a high back unrounded vowel, distinct from English 'i'. This word has a more neutral pronunciation without palatalization issues.

Audio: Audio placeholder for Обрывки (click to play)

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Ragged or torn pieces of cloth, often implying something worn out or in disrepair (e.g., clothing or fabric).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Лохмотья - Used in informal or literary contexts to evoke imagery of poverty or neglect, such as describing old clothes.
• Обрывки - Applied in more neutral or formal settings, like describing fabric scraps in a workshop or historical texts.

Usage Examples:

• Его одежда была в лохмотьях после долгого путешествия. (His clothes were in tatters after the long journey.)

  Translation: His clothes were in tatters after the long journey. (This example shows the word in a narrative context, emphasizing physical wear.)

• Дети нашли обрывки ткани на улице и попытались их починить. (The children found tatters of fabric on the street and tried to mend them.)

  Translation: The children found tatters of fabric on the street and tried to mend them. (Illustrates everyday usage with a focus on fragments in a practical scenario.)

• В старом замке валялись лохмотья от древних гобеленов. (In the old castle, there were tatters from ancient tapestries lying around.)

  Translation: In the old castle, there were tatters from ancient tapestries lying around. (Demonstrates literary or historical usage, highlighting decay over time.)

• Обрывки платья свидетельствовали о спешке бегства. (The tatters of the dress indicated a hasty escape.)

  Translation: The tatters of the dress indicated a hasty escape. (Shows the word in a dramatic or storytelling context.)

• После бури на пляже остались только лохмотья парусов. (After the storm, only tatters of sails were left on the beach.)

  Translation: After the storm, only tatters of sails were left on the beach. (Exemplifies usage in a natural disaster scenario, varying grammatical structure.)

Meaning 2: Figurative use, implying something in a state of ruin or disorder (e.g., metaphorical for a person's life or reputation).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Лохмотья - Informal; Often used metaphorically in poetry or prose to describe emotional or social breakdown.
• Обрывки - Less common in figurative contexts; Preferred in neutral descriptions of fragmented ideas or memories.

Usage Examples:

• Его жизнь превратилась в лохмотья после потери работы. (His life turned into tatters after losing his job.)

  Translation: His life turned into tatters after losing his job. (Figurative example in a personal crisis context.)

• Обрывки воспоминаний мучили его по ночам. (Tatters of memories tormented him at night.)

  Translation: Tatters of memories tormented him at night. (Shows metaphorical use with abstract concepts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are nouns and follow standard Russian inflection patterns. 'Лохмотья' is typically plural and belongs to the first declension group for neuter nouns. 'Обрывки' is also plural and follows second declension patterns for masculine nouns.

Note: These nouns do not have singular forms in common usage for these meanings, making them invariable in number for typical contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Клочья [Used for irregular or small fragments, often in informal speech]
  • Огрызки [More specific to remnants, with a connotation of something chewed or worn]
• Antonyms:
  • Целое [Meaning 'whole' or 'intact']
  • Новое [Meaning 'new' or 'fresh']

Related Phrases:

• В лохмотьях [In tatters] - A phrase used to describe someone dressed poorly, implying poverty.
• Обрывки ткани [Tatters of fabric] - Common in crafting or repair contexts, meaning scraps for reuse.
• Лохмотья прошлого [Tatters of the past] - Figurative phrase for fragmented memories or history.

Usage Notes:

'Тatters' corresponds most directly to 'Лохмотья' in informal or vivid descriptions, while 'Обрывки' is better for neutral or technical uses. Be mindful of Russian's grammatical cases; for example, use the genitive form 'Лохмотьев' after prepositions like 'из' (from). In formal writing, prefer 'Обрывки' to avoid overly dramatic connotations. When choosing between translations, consider the context: 'Лохмотья' adds emotional weight, ideal for literature, whereas 'Обрывки' suits factual descriptions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'Лохмотье' (singular) instead of 'Лохмотья' (plural), as English 'tatters' is inherently plural. Correct: Always opt for the plural form in Russian to match the concept.

  Incorrect example: *Его одежда была лохмотье.* (Wrong: Missing plural agreement.)

  Correct example: Его одежда была в лохмотьях. (Right: Uses plural with preposition for context.)

• Error: Confusing with similar words like 'Лоскуты' (patches), leading to misuse in contexts of repair. Correct: 'Лохмотья' implies ruin, not something fixable.

  Incorrect example: *Я починил лохмотья.* (Wrong: Sounds odd, as it suggests repairing something already ruined.)

  Correct example: Я сшил лоскуты в quilt. (Right: Use 'Лоскуты' for patches.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature, such as in works by Dostoevsky, 'Лохмотья' often symbolizes poverty and social inequality, reflecting historical contexts of hardship in Russian society. This adds a layer of cultural depth, where describing someone in 'tatters' might evoke empathy or critique of societal issues.

Related Concepts:

• Рванина [Rags or tattered clothing]
• Фрагменты [Fragments, in a broader sense]
• Разрушения [Destruction or ruins]