Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'wick'

English Word: wick

Key Russian Translations:

• фитиль [fʲɪˈtʲilʲ] - [Formal, Used in contexts related to candles, lamps, or technical devices]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday conversation but appear in specific contexts like descriptions of candles or historical devices.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level should understand basic noun inflections, but mastering precise pronunciation and contextual usage may require practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

фитиль: [fʲɪˈtʲilʲ]

Note on фитиль: The stress falls on the second syllable ("tʲilʲ"). Pay attention to the palatalized 't' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. It sounds softer than in English.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The core or string in a candle that burns, or a similar component in other devices.

Translation(s) & Context:

• фитиль - Used in literal contexts for candles, lamps, or fuses; Common in formal or technical descriptions, such as in literature or DIY instructions.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: В старой свече фитиль был слишком коротким, и она не горела ровно.

  English translation: In the old candle, the wick was too short, and it didn't burn evenly.

• Русский пример: Фитиль в керосиновой лампе нужно регулярно подрезать для лучшего пламени.

  English translation: The wick in the kerosene lamp needs to be trimmed regularly for a better flame.

• Русский пример: В динамитной шашке фитиль зажигался для взрыва.

  English translation: The wick in the dynamite stick was lit for the explosion.

• Русский пример: Дети учились, как вставлять фитиль в самодельную свечу на уроке рукоделия.

  English translation: The children learned how to insert the wick into a homemade candle during the crafts lesson.

• Русский пример: Фитиль лампы погас, и комната погрузилась в темноту.

  English translation: The lamp's wick went out, and the room was plunged into darkness.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Фитиль" is a masculine noun in Russian (3rd declension). It follows standard patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, with regular inflections for cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners. If used in compound phrases, it may not inflect if it's part of a fixed expression.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • шнур (slightly more general, often for cords or strings; used in informal contexts)
  • гніт (archaic variant, rarely used in modern Russian)
• Antonyms:
  • пламя (flame; as it represents the opposite element in a burning context)

Related Phrases:

• Зажечь фитиль - To light the wick; A phrase used metaphorically to mean igniting something, like a plan or conflict.
• Подрезать фитиль - To trim the wick; Refers to maintaining a device for better performance, often in literal or figurative maintenance contexts.
• Фитиль лампы - Wick of the lamp; A common collocation in descriptions of traditional lighting.

Usage Notes:

"Фитиль" directly corresponds to the English "wick" in most contexts, especially for candles or fuses, but it's more formal and technical in Russian. Use it in descriptive or instructional language rather than casual conversation. Be mindful of case inflections when placing it in sentences—e.g., in genitive case for possession ("фитиля свечи" for "of the candle's wick"). If multiple translations exist, choose "фитиль" for precise matches; "шнур" might be better for broader string-like objects. English learners should note that Russian nouns require gender agreement, so adjectives and verbs must align with its masculine form.

Common Errors:

• Confusing case inflections: English learners often use the nominative form "фитиль" in all contexts, e.g., saying "в фитиль" instead of the correct prepositional "в фитиле" (in the wick). Correct usage: Use the appropriate case, like "в фитиле лампы" for "in the lamp's wick."

• Mispronouncing the palatalized sounds: Learners might say [fɪ'til] without the soft 't', making it sound like "fitil" instead of [fʲɪˈtʲilʲ]. This can lead to misunderstandings; practice with native audio to master the subtlety.

• Overgeneralizing synonyms: Mistaking "шнур" as a direct synonym and using it interchangeably, e.g., "зажечь шнур" for "light the wick" in a candle context, which is incorrect. Stick to "фитиль" for accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "фитиль" often evokes historical contexts, such as traditional kerosene lamps or candles used in rural settings before electricity became widespread. It can symbolize simplicity or nostalgia in literature, like in stories by Chekhov, where it represents everyday life in pre-Soviet Russia. Metaphorically, phrases like "зажечь фитиль" might allude to revolutionary sparks, drawing from historical events like the use of fuses in explosives during wars.

Related Concepts:

• свеча (candle)
• лампа (lamp)
• пламя (flame)