Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tongs'

English Word: tongs

Key Russian Translations:

• щипцы [ˈʂɨp.tsɨ] - [Plural, used for tools, Informal in everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in household and culinary discussions but not as frequent as basic nouns like "table").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding noun declensions and plural forms; learners at this level should grasp basic inflections).

Pronunciation (Russian):

щипцы: [ˈʂɨp.tsɨ]

Note on щипцы: The 'щ' sound is a voiceless alveolo-palatal fricative, similar to the 'sh' in "sheep" but with a more palatalized quality. Be careful with the stress on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A tool with two arms used for picking up or gripping objects, especially in cooking or mechanical contexts

Translation(s) & Context:

• щипцы - Used in kitchen or tool-related contexts, such as handling hot food or small objects; common in informal and everyday Russian speech.

Usage Examples:

• Я беру щипцы, чтобы перевернуть мясо на гриле.

  I use tongs to flip the meat on the grill.

• В лаборатории всегда нужны щипцы для манипуляций с образцами.

  In the lab, tongs are always needed for manipulating samples.

• Не трогай горячую сковороду без щипцов, чтобы не обжечься.

  Don't touch the hot pan without tongs to avoid burning yourself.

• Щипцы в этом наборе инструментов идеальны для ремонта велосипеда.

  The tongs in this tool set are perfect for repairing a bicycle.

• Моя бабушка использует щипцы для извлечения костей из рыбы.

  My grandmother uses tongs to remove bones from fish.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Щипцы is a plural noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It does not have a singular form in common usage and remains relatively invariant, but it still follows standard plural noun declensions based on case. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: As a plural-only noun, it does not inflect for number, but its endings change by case as shown. This is a regular pattern for many Russian tools and abstract nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: пинцет (pincet) - Used for smaller, precision tongs, often in medical or cosmetic contexts; клещи (kleshchi) - Similar to pliers, for heavier tools.
• Antonyms: (Direct antonyms are rare, but conceptually opposite might include) руки (ruki) - Hands, implying manual use without tools.

Related Phrases:

• Кухонные щипцы - Kitchen tongs (A common phrase referring to tongs used in cooking; implies everyday household utility).
• Щипцы для барбекю - Barbecue tongs (Used in outdoor grilling; highlights cultural association with social gatherings).
• Медицинские щипцы - Medical tongs (Refers to surgical or first-aid tools; often in professional settings).

Usage Notes:

Щипцы directly corresponds to the English "tongs" as a plural noun, emphasizing its use for gripping or handling objects. It is typically informal and versatile across contexts like cooking or repairs, but avoid using it in highly formal writing where more specific terms might be preferred. When choosing between synonyms like пинцет or клещи, select based on size and purpose: щипцы for general medium-sized tools. Grammatically, always treat it as plural, which affects verb agreement (e.g., "Щипцы используются" instead of a singular form).

Common Errors:

• Error: Treating щипцы as a singular noun, e.g., saying "Этот щипец" instead of the correct plural form.
  Correct: Use "Эти щипцы" or simply "Щипцы" in context.
  Explanation: Russian nouns like this are inherently plural, so attempting a singular form can confuse native speakers and disrupt sentence structure.

• Error: Confusing it with пинцет by using щипцы for very small tools.
  Correct: Reserve щипцы for larger items and use пинцет for precision work.
  Explanation: This misuse can lead to misunderstandings in professional or technical discussions, as the tools serve different purposes.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, щипцы are often associated with traditional cooking practices, such as preparing shashlik (kebabs) during family barbecues or in dacha (country house) settings. This reflects a broader emphasis on communal meals and hands-on food preparation, where tools like tongs symbolize practicality and safety in daily life.

Related Concepts:

• Ложка (spoon)
• Вилка (fork)
• Нож (knife)