Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'trinket'

English Word: trinket

Key Russian Translations:

• безделушка [bʲɪz.dʲɪˈluʂ.kə] - [Informal, Singular]
• мелочь [ˈmʲɛ.lət͡ɕ] - [Informal, Can be Plural]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations about small items, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and common informal expressions).

Pronunciation (Russian):

безделушка: [bʲɪz.dʲɪˈluʂ.kə]

Note on безделушка: The stress falls on the third syllable ("luʂ"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonants. Pronunciation may vary slightly in rapid speech.

мелочь: [ˈmʲɛ.lət͡ɕ]

Note on мелочь: The initial "м" is palatalized, and the final "ч" is a voiceless palatal fricative; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A small decorative object or ornament of little value.

Translation(s) & Context:

• безделушка - Used in informal contexts to refer to a trinket as a playful or minor decorative item, often in casual shopping or gift-giving scenarios.
• мелочь - Applied in everyday situations for small, insignificant items, such as coins or trinkets, emphasizing their triviality.

Usage Examples:

• Она купила маленькую безделушку в сувенирном магазине, чтобы украсить свой стол.

  She bought a small trinket in the souvenir shop to decorate her desk.

• В его комнате полно безделушек из разных стран, которые он собирает во время путешествий.

  His room is full of trinkets from different countries that he collects during his travels.

• Эта мелочь на полке — всего лишь старая безделушка, но она имеет sentimental значение.

  This trinket on the shelf is just an old knick-knack, but it has sentimental value.

• Дети любят играть с мелочью, вроде этих безделушек, найденных на пляже.

  Children love playing with trinkets like these, found on the beach.

• Не трать деньги на такие безделушки; они быстро ломаются.

  Don't waste money on such trinkets; they break easily.

A trivial or insignificant item (metaphorical sense).

Translation(s) & Context:

• мелочь - Used metaphorically in informal speech to downplay something as unimportant, such as a minor expense or detail.

Usage Examples:

• Эта мелочь в контракте не стоит вашего внимания; сосредоточьтесь на главном.

  This trifle in the contract isn't worth your attention; focus on the main points.

• Не беспокойся о такой мелочи — это всего лишь безделушка в большом плане.

  Don't worry about such a trifle — it's just a minor detail in the big picture.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Безделушка" is a feminine noun in the third declension group, which follows irregular patterns. It changes based on case and number. "Мелочь" is also feminine but can be used in plural forms and follows standard patterns.

Note: These words do not change for gender but follow standard Russian declension rules for feminine nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • игрушка (toy; similar but often implies playfulness)
  • сувенир (souvenir; used for items with sentimental value)
• Antonyms:
  • драгоценность (valuable item or jewel; highlights the contrast in worth)

Related Phrases:

• Безделушки и сувениры - Small trinkets and souvenirs; commonly used when discussing travel mementos.
• Мелкая мелочь - Trivial items or change (coins); refers to insignificant possessions in everyday contexts.
• Собрать безделушки - To collect trinkets; often in the context of hobbies or decoration.

Usage Notes:

"Безделушка" is the most direct translation for "trinket" in informal settings, emphasizing its decorative and minor nature, while "мелочь" can extend to any small or insignificant thing. Use "безделушка" for physical objects and "мелочь" metaphorically. Be mindful of context: in formal Russian, opt for more precise terms like "сувенир" to avoid sounding casual. Grammatically, both nouns require agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying words.

• Choose "безделушка" for light-hearted or descriptive scenarios.
• Avoid direct word-for-word translation; adapt based on the situation to capture the English nuance of "trinket" as something endearing yet valueless.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "безделушка" with "игрушка" (toy), using it interchangeably, but "игрушка" implies something for play, while "безделушка" is more decorative. Error example: Saying "Это игрушка" for a non-playable trinket. Correct usage: "Это безделушка" to specify its ornamental purpose. Another mistake is improper declension, e.g., using "безделушка" in the wrong case; always match the sentence structure, as in "Я увидел безделушку" (Accusative) vs. "безделушки" (Genitive for possession).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, trinkets like "безделушки" are often associated with markets, festivals, or as inexpensive gifts, reflecting a tradition of valuing small, handmade items in everyday life. For instance, during holidays like Maslenitsa, people exchange simple trinkets, symbolizing warmth and community rather than material worth.

Related Concepts:

• сувенир
• украшение
• игрушка