Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'washing'

English Word: washing

Key Russian Translations:

• стирка /ˈstʲir.kə/ - [Formal, Noun; commonly used in everyday contexts related to laundry]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered regularly in domestic or household discussions but not as frequently as basic vocabulary in general conversation).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this CEFR level should grasp basic noun forms and usage, though mastering inflections may require practice).

Pronunciation (Russian):

стирка: /ˈstʲir.kə/

Note on стирка: The initial 'с' is pronounced as a soft 's' sound (/sʲ/), which can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalization. The stress falls on the first syllable, and the final 'a' is reduced in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The act or process of washing clothes or fabrics.

Translation(s) & Context:

• стирка - Used in formal and everyday contexts for referring to laundry washing, such as in household chores or instructions on clothing labels.

Usage Examples:

• Я делаю стирку по выходным. (Ya delayu stirku po vykhodnym.)

  I do the washing on weekends. (This example shows the noun in a simple declarative sentence, emphasizing routine activities.)

• Эта стирка займет много времени из-за пятен. (Eta stirka zaymet mnogo vremeni iz-za pyatn.)

  This washing will take a lot of time because of the stains. (Illustrates the noun in a context involving challenges or delays.)

• После стирки белья нужно развесить его на улице. (Posle stirki belya nuzhno razvesit' yego na ulitse.)

  After the washing of laundry, you need to hang it outside. (Demonstrates the noun in a sequential action, often in domestic instructions.)

• Автоматическая стирка экономит время. (Avtomaticheskaya stirka ekonomit vremya.)

  Automatic washing saves time. (Shows the noun modified by an adjective, in a context of modern appliances.)

• Забудьте о стирке вручную! (Zabud'te o stirke vruchnuyu!)

  Forget about washing by hand! (Used in imperative contexts, such as advertising or advice.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"стирка" is a feminine noun in the first declension group. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its basic inflections:

Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners, but always pay attention to the soft sign (ь) which affects pronunciation in certain cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: мойка (moyka - more general, often for washing objects); очистка (ochistka - emphasizing cleaning or purification)
• Antonyms: грязь (gрязь - dirt, implying the opposite state); запыленность (zapylennost' - dustiness, in contexts of uncleanliness)

Brief note: "Мойка" is often used for car washing and has a broader application, while "стирка" is specific to fabrics.

Related Phrases:

• стирка белья - Washing of laundry; commonly used in household contexts to refer to cleaning clothes.
• автоматическая стирка - Automatic washing; refers to machine-based laundry in modern settings.
• стирка в холодной воде - Washing in cold water; a phrase for instructions on fabric care to prevent damage.

Usage Notes:

"Стирка" directly corresponds to the English noun "washing" in the context of laundry, but it's important to note that Russian often requires specifying the object (e.g., "стирка белья" for "washing of clothes"). Use it in formal or neutral contexts; in informal speech, it might be shortened in phrases. When choosing between translations like "стирка" and "мойка," opt for "стирка" if the focus is on fabrics. Grammatically, always decline it according to the sentence's case for accuracy.

• It's versatile in compound phrases, such as with adjectives (e.g., "быстрая стирка" for "quick washing").
• Avoid direct word-for-word translation; consider the cultural emphasis on domestic routines in Russian usage.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse case endings, for example, using the nominative "стирка" in all contexts instead of the correct genitive "стирки" in phrases like "время стирки" (time of washing). Incorrect: "Я иду в стирка" (wrong case). Correct: "Я иду на стирку" (I am going to do the washing). This error stems from not adapting to Russian's declension system, which can alter meaning or make sentences ungrammatical.

• Another common mistake is confusing it with "мойка," leading to misuse in laundry contexts; explain that "мойка" is better for non-fabric items.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "стирка" is often associated with traditional domestic life, where hand-washing clothes was common before widespread use of washing machines. This reflects broader themes of resourcefulness in Russian households, especially in rural areas, and ties into proverbs about cleanliness and hard work, such as those emphasizing the importance of maintaining one's home.

Related Concepts:

• постирушка (a more informal or diminutive form for small-scale washing)
• гладить (ironing, as a follow-up to washing)
• уборка (general cleaning, broader than just washing)