Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'thimbleful'

English Word: thimbleful

Key Russian Translations:

• небольшое количество [nʲɪˈbolʲʂkəjɪ kəlʲɪˈtɕestvə] - [Informal; used for everyday descriptions of a tiny amount]
• полная наперстка [ˈpolnəjə nɐˈpʲerstkə] - [Formal or literary; literally means "a full thimble," used in precise measurements]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation; more frequent in literary or technical contexts.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1; requires understanding of noun phrases and quantities, but the vocabulary is straightforward for learners beyond beginner level.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

небольшое количество: [nʲɪˈbolʲʂkəjɪ kəlʲɪˈtɕestvə]

полная наперстка: [ˈpolnəjə nɐˈpʲerstkə]

Note on небольшое количество: The stress on "небольшое" falls on the second syllable, and the word can vary slightly in casual speech. Pay attention to the soft consonants, which are common in Russian.

Note on полная наперстка: This phrase may have regional variations in pronunciation, especially in vowel sounds.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A very small amount of a liquid or substance, often used metaphorically to indicate minimal quantity.

Translation(s) & Context:

• небольшое количество - Used in informal contexts, such as describing portions in cooking or daily life, to convey something just a bit more than a pinch.
• полная наперстка - Applied in formal or historical contexts, like recipes or literature, where precision is key.

Usage Examples:

• Он выпил всего небольшое количество вина, чтобы не опьянеть.

  He drank only a thimbleful of wine to avoid getting drunk.

• В рецепте указано добавить полную наперстку соли для вкуса.

  The recipe calls for a thimbleful of salt for flavor.

• Дети взяли небольшое количество краски, чтобы нарисовать картину.

  The children took just a thimbleful of paint to draw the picture.

• В исторических текстах упоминается полная наперстка эликсира как целебное средство.

  Historical texts mention a thimbleful of elixir as a healing remedy.

• Она налила небольшое количество масла в сковороду для жарки.

  She poured a thimbleful of oil into the pan for frying.

Meaning 2: Figuratively, an insignificant or barely noticeable amount in non-literal contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• небольшое количество - Often used metaphorically in informal speech to downplay something's importance.

Usage Examples:

• Его помощь была всего лишь небольшим количеством в общем деле.

  His help was just a thimbleful in the overall effort.

• В политике такие обещания — это небольшое количество реальных изменений.

  In politics, such promises amount to just a thimbleful of real change.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The primary translations are noun phrases. "Количество" is a neuter noun, and "небольшое" is an adjective that agrees with it in gender, number, and case. "Наперстка" is a feminine noun derived from "наперсток" (thimble). Below is a table outlining key inflections for the main nouns:

Note: These words follow regular Russian noun declension patterns. "Небольшое" as an adjective changes to agree: e.g., "небольшого" in genitive.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • немного (a little; more general and common)
  • щепотка (a pinch; often used for small amounts in cooking)
  • капля (a drop; for liquids specifically)
• Antonyms:
  • много (a lot; opposite in quantity)
  • большое количество (a large amount; direct contrast)

Synonyms like "немного" are more versatile and can be used interchangeably in casual speech, while "щепотка" implies a even smaller, more precise measure.

Related Phrases:

• небольшое количество воды - A small amount of water (used in recipes or descriptions of minimal hydration).
• полная наперстка лекарства - A full thimbleful of medicine (common in historical or folk remedies).
• взять небольшое количество соли - To take a small amount of salt (in cooking contexts).

Usage Notes:

"Thimbleful" corresponds closely to "небольшое количество" in informal English-to-Russian translation, but "полная наперстка" is better for literal or archaic uses. In Russian, these phrases are flexible and can be adjusted based on context—always ensure the adjective agrees with the noun in case and gender. For everyday speech, opt for "небольшое количество" to avoid sounding overly formal. When discussing measurements, pair it with specific nouns like "вина" (wine) for clarity.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "небольшой количество" without proper adjective agreement. Correct: "небольшое количество" (neuter form). Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender; this error often stems from direct word-for-word translation from English.
• Mistake: Confusing with "много" in negative contexts. Correct: Use "небольшое количество" for emphasis on smallness. Explanation: Learners might overuse "много" negatively, but "thimbleful" requires a positive small quantity descriptor.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like "полная наперстка" may evoke historical contexts, such as in folk medicine or traditional recipes, where thimbles were used as impromptu measures. This reflects a practical, resource-limited past, emphasizing frugality and precision in daily life.

Related Concepts:

• измерения
• порции
• щедрость