Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tooth'

English Word: tooth

Key Russian Translations:

• зуб (/zup/) - [Common, Singular, Neutral]

Frequency: High (This word is commonly used in everyday Russian conversation, especially in health, biology, and daily life contexts.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level; straightforward vocabulary with basic grammar rules, suitable for new learners of Russian.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

зуб: /zup/ (The 'з' is a voiced alveolar fricative, similar to 'z' in 'zoo', and 'уб' ends with a voiceless bilabial plosive.)

Note on зуб: Pronunciation can vary slightly in fast speech, where the final 'б' might soften, but it's generally consistent. Pay attention to the stress on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Literal Meaning: A hard, calcified structure in the mouth used for biting and chewing.

Translation(s) & Context:

• зуб - Used in general contexts for human or animal teeth, such as in dental health or anatomy discussions. (Common in everyday and formal settings.)

Usage Examples:

• У меня болит зуб. (U menya bolit zub.)

  My tooth hurts. (This example shows the word in a simple declarative sentence, common in medical or casual conversations.)

• Дети чистят зубы перед сном. (Deti chistyat zuby pered snom.)

  Children brush their teeth before bed. (Here, 'зубы' is the plural form, demonstrating its use in daily routines and family contexts.)

• Зуб льва очень острый. (Zub l'va ochen' ostryy.)

  The lion's tooth is very sharp. (This illustrates the word in a descriptive context, often in wildlife or educational discussions.)

• Я потерял зуб во время игры. (Ya poteryal zub vo vremya igry.)

  I lost a tooth while playing. (This example highlights informal, narrative usage, such as in storytelling about accidents.)

• Врачи лечат зубы с помощью современных технологий. (Vrachi lechat zuby s pomoshch'yu sovremennykh tekhnologiy.)

  Doctors treat teeth using modern technologies. (This shows the word in a professional or scientific context, emphasizing plural forms.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Зуб" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows standard patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is regular in its inflections, with no irregularities, making it easy for beginners to learn.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • зубной элемент (zubnoy element) - More technical term, used in dental contexts, implying a specific component.
  • клык (klyk) - Specifically for a fang or canine tooth, with a slight connotation of sharpness or animal teeth.
• Antonyms:
  • протез (proteza) - Artificial replacement, often used in contrast to natural teeth in medical discussions.

Related Phrases:

• Чистить зубы (Chistit' zuby) - To brush teeth; a daily hygiene routine, commonly used in health advice.
• Болезнь зубов (Bolezn' zubov) - Tooth disease; refers to dental issues, often in medical contexts.
• Молочный зуб (Molotchnyy zub) - Baby tooth; used when discussing children's dental development, with cultural implications in parenting.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "зуб" directly corresponds to the English "tooth" in most literal senses, but it's important to note its gender (masculine) and declension patterns for correct sentence construction. Use "зуб" in singular for one tooth and "зубы" in plural for multiple. It's versatile across formal and informal settings, but in professional contexts like dentistry, pair it with adjectives for precision (e.g., "болезненный зуб" for painful tooth). When choosing among translations, "зуб" is the most straightforward; opt for synonyms like "клык" only if specifying a type of tooth.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse the genitive form, saying "зуб" instead of "зуба" in phrases like "боль в зуб" (incorrect) versus "боль в зубе" (correct, meaning "pain in the tooth"). Explanation: Russian requires the prepositional case for locations, so always use "зубе" when indicating inside or about the tooth.

• Another error is improper pluralization, such as using "зуб" for multiple teeth instead of "зубы." For example, "Я чищу зуб" (incorrect) should be "Я чищу зубы" (correct). This stems from English's lack of case systems, so learners must memorize declensions early.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, losing a baby tooth (молочный зуб) is often associated with folklore, similar to the Tooth Fairy in English-speaking countries. Children might place the tooth under their pillow for a small gift, reflecting themes of childhood milestones and family traditions in Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• челюсть (chelyust') - Jaw
• рот (rot) - Mouth
• стоматология (stomatologiya) - Dentistry