Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'threshold'

English Word: threshold

Key Russian Translations:

• порог (/pɐˈrok/) - [Formal, Singular, Used in literal and metaphorical contexts, such as doorways or limits]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language, technical discussions, and literature, but not as ubiquitous as basic words)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, according to CEFR; requires understanding of noun declensions and contextual usage; if multiple translations exist, "порог" is at B1, while more specialized ones might reach B2)

Pronunciation (Russian):

порог: /pɐˈrok/

Note on порог: The stress falls on the second syllable (/ˈrok/), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the rolled 'r' sound and the soft vowel. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The bottom part of a doorway or entrance (Literal sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• порог - Used in everyday contexts for physical doorways or entrances, often in formal or descriptive writing.

Usage Examples:

• Он переступил порог и вошел в дом.

  He crossed the threshold and entered the house.

• Дети боятся перешагнуть порог нового года.

  Children are afraid to cross the threshold of the new year. (Metaphorical extension in this context)

• Порог старого здания был сделан из дерева.

  The threshold of the old building was made of wood.

• Она стояла на пороге, раздумывая, войти или нет.

  She stood on the threshold, wondering whether to enter or not.

• В русской архитектуре порог часто символизирует переход.

  In Russian architecture, the threshold often symbolizes a transition.

Meaning 2: A point of entry, limit, or starting point (Metaphorical sense, e.g., in psychology, technology, or limits)

Translation(s) & Context:

• порог - Used in abstract contexts, such as thresholds in science (e.g., pain threshold) or decision-making, in formal or professional settings.

Usage Examples:

• Больной преодолел болевой порог во время операции.

  The patient overcame the pain threshold during the surgery.

• Этот проект достиг критического порога успеха.

  This project reached the critical threshold of success.

• В психологии порог восприятия варьируется от человека к человеку.

  In psychology, the threshold of perception varies from person to person.

• Экономический порог инфляции был превышен в прошлом году.

  The economic threshold of inflation was exceeded last year.

• Чтобы начать изменения, нужно переступить порог неопределенности.

  To start changes, one must cross the threshold of uncertainty.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Порог" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows regular patterns for most cases but has no plural form in its primary literal sense. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: The word is invariant in gender and does not change for number in some contexts, making it straightforward once basic declensions are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: предел (limit, with a focus on boundaries), грань (edge or boundary, implying a finer line)
• – Предел is often used interchangeably but can imply a more absolute end, while грань suggests a subtle division.
• Antonyms: максимум (maximum, opposite in the context of limits), минимум (minimum)

Related Phrases:

• Переступить порог - To cross the threshold; often used metaphorically for entering a new phase of life.
• На пороге - On the threshold; indicates being at the point of change or decision.
• Порог боли - Pain threshold; a common phrase in medical contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Порог" directly corresponds to "threshold" in English but is versatile across literal and abstract uses. In Russian, it's important to consider the case for proper sentence structure; for example, use the genitive case (порога) when indicating possession or origin. Choose "порог" over synonyms like "предел" when emphasizing a physical or transitional boundary. It's neutral in formality but can carry poetic connotations in literature. English learners should note that Russian often requires prepositions like "на пороге" for spatial contexts, unlike the more flexible English usage.

• Avoid direct word-for-word translation; always adapt to the sentence's grammatical needs.
• In formal writing, pair it with adjectives for precision, e.g., "критический порог" for "critical threshold".

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse cases with "порог". For example, they might incorrectly say "Я на порог" instead of the correct "Я на пороге" (I am on the threshold), where the prepositional case is required. Error: "Он переступил порог дома" (incorrect if implying possession without context); Correct: "Он переступил порог дома" is actually fine, but if specifying, it should be "порог этого дома" in genitive. This error stems from English's lack of cases, so always check the governing preposition. Another common mistake is overusing the plural form; "пороги" should only be used for multiple thresholds, not as a default.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "порог" symbolizes transitions, such as crossing into a new home, which is tied to traditions like not sitting on the threshold during moves to avoid bad luck. This reflects broader Slavic folklore where thresholds are seen as liminal spaces between worlds, influencing expressions in literature by authors like Tolstoy.

Related Concepts:

• дверь (door)
• вход (entrance)
• граница (boundary)