Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'whisker'

English Word: whisker

Key Russian Translations:

• усик (/ˈusʲɪk/) - [Formal, Singular, Used in biological or descriptive contexts]
• усики (/ˈusʲɪkʲi/) - [Informal, Plural, Used when referring to multiple whiskers, e.g., on animals]

Frequency: Medium - The word is commonly encountered in contexts like animal descriptions or literature, but not in everyday casual conversation.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Involves basic noun inflections; learners at this level can grasp it with practice, though pronunciation of palatalized sounds may pose a challenge for some translations.

Pronunciation (Russian):

усик: /ˈusʲɪk/ - The 'у' is pronounced like 'oo' in "food", and the 'сʲ' has a soft, palatalized 's' sound.

усики: /ˈusʲɪkʲi/ - Similar to above, with an additional plural ending; note the soft 'кʲ' which softens the 'k' sound.

Note on усик: The palatalization (ʲ) can be tricky for English speakers; it's softer than a standard 's', almost like 'sy' in "syrup".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A long, stiff hair on the face of an animal, such as a cat, used for sensing.

Translation(s) & Context:

• усик - Used in formal or scientific descriptions of animal anatomy, such as in biology texts or wildlife discussions.
• усики - Common in everyday or informal contexts when referring to multiple whiskers, like in pet care or storytelling.

Usage Examples:

• Кот осторожно шевелит усиком, чтобы почувствовать ветер. (The cat carefully moves its whisker to sense the wind.)

  English Translation: The cat carefully moves its whisker to sense the wind.

• Усики у мышей помогают им ориентироваться в темноте. (Whiskers on mice help them navigate in the dark.)

  English Translation: Whiskers on mice help them navigate in the dark.

• В зоопарке дети разглядывали усики у львов. (At the zoo, children examined the whiskers on the lions.)

  English Translation: At the zoo, children examined the whiskers on the lions.

• Без усиков кошка может потерять равновесие. (Without whiskers, a cat might lose its balance.)

  English Translation: Without whiskers, a cat might lose its balance.

Meaning 2: A small beard or facial hair on humans, though less common and often poetic.

Translation(s) & Context:

• усик - Used metaphorically or in literary contexts for human facial hair, such as in poetry or historical descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• В старом портрете видны усики у мужчины. (In the old portrait, the man's whiskers are visible.)

  English Translation: In the old portrait, the man's whiskers are visible.

• Его усик придавал ему загадочный вид. (His whisker gave him a mysterious appearance.)

  English Translation: His whisker gave him a mysterious appearance.

• В исторических фильмах актеры носят усики для аутентичности. (In historical films, actors wear whiskers for authenticity.)

  English Translation: In historical films, actors wear whiskers for authenticity.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "усик" and "усики" are masculine nouns in Russian, following standard third-declension patterns for animate nouns. They exhibit regular inflections based on case and number, with no irregularities.

Note: These forms are invariant in terms of gender but change with case as shown.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: вибрисса (vibrissa - more scientific for animal whiskers), щетина (shetina - bristle-like hair)
• щетина is often used interchangeably with усик in casual animal descriptions but implies a stiffer texture.
• Antonyms: (None directly applicable, as this is a physical feature; conceptually, something like гладкая кожа - smooth skin)

Related Phrases:

• кошачьи усики (koshach'i usiki) - Cat whiskers; a common phrase in pet-related discussions, referring to their sensory function.
• усики бабочки (usiki babochki) - Butterfly antennae; used in nature or entomology contexts to describe similar structures.
• длинные усики (dlinn'ye usiki) - Long whiskers; often in literary or descriptive language to emphasize appearance.

Usage Notes:

"Усик" and "усики" directly correspond to "whisker" in English, particularly for animal features, but they are more commonly used in Russian for sensory hairs rather than human facial hair. Use "усик" in singular for precision in formal writing, and opt for "усики" in plural for everyday contexts. Be mindful of case agreements in sentences, as Russian requires nouns to match adjectives and verbs. When choosing between translations, "усик" is preferred for scientific accuracy, while "вибрисса" might be better for technical fields.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "усик" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я вижу усик" instead of "Я вижу усика" in contexts requiring genitive. Correct: "Я вижу усика кота" (I see the cat's whisker). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case; this mistake often stems from English's lack of cases.
• Error: Confusing "усики" with "уши" (ears), leading to miscommunication. Correct: Use "усики" specifically for whiskers. Explanation: Pronunciation similarities can cause errors; always double-check context.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, whiskers or similar features are often romanticized in folklore and literature, such as in stories about animals in fairy tales by authors like Pushkin. For instance, cat whiskers symbolize intuition and survival, reflecting a broader cultural appreciation for nature's adaptations in Russian environmental narratives.

Related Concepts:

• вибрисса
• щетина
• борода (beard)