Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'wing'

English Word: wing

Key Russian Translations:

• крыло [ˈkrɨlə] - [Formal, Singular]
• крылья [ˈkrɨlʲjə] - [Formal, Plural]
• фланг [flanɡ] - [Formal, Used in military or sports contexts]

Frequency: Medium - 'крыло' is commonly used in everyday language, especially in descriptions of animals, aviation, or metaphors, but not as frequent as basic nouns like 'дом' (house).

Difficulty: A2 - Beginner level for 'крыло' as it follows standard noun patterns; B1 for 'фланг' due to its specific contextual usage.

Pronunciation (Russian):

крыло: [ˈkrɨlə]

крылья: [ˈkrɨlʲjə]

фланг: [flanɡ]

Note on крыло: The 'ы' sound ([ɨ]) can be tricky for English speakers, as it's similar to a tense 'i' in 'bit' but more centralized. Stress is on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The part of a bird, aircraft, or other object used for flying or balance.

Translation(s) & Context:

• крыло - Used in literal contexts for birds, planes, or metaphorical extensions like "wing of a building."

Usage Examples:

• Птица расправила крылья перед полётом.

  The bird spread its wings before flight.

• Самолёт потерял одно крыло во время шторма.

  The plane lost one wing during the storm.

• В музее выставлено крыло древнего динозавра.

  The wing of an ancient dinosaur is displayed in the museum.

• Крыло дома выходило на сад.

  The wing of the house overlooked the garden.

• Металлическое крыло машины было повреждено в аварии.

  The metal wing of the car was damaged in the accident.

Meaning 2: A section or group within a larger organization, such as a political wing.

Translation(s) & Context:

• фланг - Often used in military or strategic contexts, like "left wing" in politics or sports.

Usage Examples:

• Левое крыло партии выступило против реформ.

  The left wing of the party opposed the reforms.

• В футболе фланг атакуется быстрыми игроками.

  In soccer, the wing is attacked by fast players.

• Фланг армии был защищён дополнительными войсками.

  The wing of the army was protected by additional troops.

• Правый фланг митинга собрал больше сторонников.

  The right wing of the rally gathered more supporters.

• Фланг компании фокусируется на инновациях.

  The wing of the company focuses on innovations.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Крыло' is a neuter noun of the second declension. It follows standard patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case and number. 'Фланг' is a masculine noun and is less inflected in modern usage.

Note: 'Фланг' does not have irregular forms and remains stable in most contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • крыло - крылья (for plural forms, no significant difference)
  • фланг - бок (side, used in less formal contexts for edges)
• Antonyms:
  • центр (center) - Often contrasts with 'фланг' in strategic contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Под крылом - Under the wing (metaphorical protection or shelter).
• Расправить крылья - To spread one's wings (to expand or grow, often in personal development).
• Крыло самолёта - Airplane wing (specific aviation term).
• Левое крыло - Left wing (political or sports context, implying progressive ideas).

Usage Notes:

'Крыло' directly corresponds to the literal English 'wing' and is versatile in both concrete and metaphorical uses, such as in expressions of protection. In formal writing, prefer 'крыло' over slang alternatives. For political contexts, 'фланг' is more precise than 'крыло'. Be mindful of gender agreements in sentences, as 'крыло' is neuter. When choosing between translations, use 'крыло' for natural phenomena and 'фланг' for organizational structures to ensure accuracy.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'крыло' in plural form incorrectly, e.g., saying "крыло" when meaning multiple wings.
  Correct: "Крылья птицы" instead of "Крыло птицы" for plural.
  Explanation: Russian nouns require proper number agreement, which English learners often overlook.
• Mistake: Confusing 'фланг' with 'крыло' in non-literal contexts, e.g., translating "political wing" as "крыло" instead of "фланг".
  Correct: Use "левый фланг" for "left wing" in politics.
  Explanation: This can lead to misunderstandings in formal or professional settings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'крыло' often appears in folklore and literature as a symbol of freedom and escape, such as in stories of birds or mythical creatures. For instance, in Russian fairy tales, characters might "spread their wings" to symbolize personal growth, reflecting a broader Slavic emphasis on nature and transformation.

Related Concepts:

• перья (feathers)
• полёт (flight)
• армия (army, especially for 'фланг')
• крыша (roof, as a related architectural term)