Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'wrist'

English Word: wrist

Key Russian Translations:

• запястье [zɐˈpʲæstʲjɪ] - [Formal, Anatomical]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in medical, descriptive, or everyday contexts, but not as frequent in casual conversation as basic body parts like "hand").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and pronunciation of palatalized consonants, which can be challenging for learners beyond beginner level).

Pronunciation (Russian):

запястье: [zɐˈpʲæstʲjɪ]

Note on запястье: The pronunciation features a palatalized 'т' sound ([tʲ]), which is common in Russian but may be difficult for English speakers. Stress is on the third syllable. Practice with native speakers to master the soft consonants.

Audio: Play Pronunciation [Here, insert an actual audio player or link placeholder for the word запястье].

Meanings and Usage:

Anatomical part (the joint connecting the hand and forearm)

Translation(s) & Context:

• запястье - Used in formal medical descriptions, everyday conversations about injuries, or anatomical discussions; appropriate in both written and spoken Russian.

Usage Examples:

• Он сломал запястье во время игры в футбол.

  He broke his wrist while playing football.

• Врачи наложили гипс на её запястье после падения.

  The doctors put a cast on her wrist after the fall.

• Запястье болит из-за долгого использования компьютера.

  The wrist hurts from prolonged computer use.

• В анатомии запястье соединяет руку с предплечьем.

  In anatomy, the wrist connects the hand to the forearm.

• Она надела браслет на запястье для вечеринки.

  She put a bracelet on her wrist for the party.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Запястье is a neuter noun in the third declension group, which means it undergoes regular declensions based on case, number, and gender. It is not irregular but follows standard patterns for Russian nouns ending in -е. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: The plural forms are less commonly used since "wrist" is typically discussed in singular contexts, but they apply in scenarios involving multiple wrists (e.g., in medical texts).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • кисть (kist') - Often used interchangeably but can imply the entire hand; more informal and common in everyday speech.
  • предплечье-кисть (predplech'ye-kist') - A compound term for the wrist area; used in precise anatomical descriptions.
• Antonyms: Not applicable, as "wrist" is a specific body part without direct opposites in Russian vocabulary.

Related Phrases:

• Болит запястье (Bol'it zapyast'ye) - "The wrist hurts"; Used to describe pain or injury.
• Перелом запястья (Perelom zapyast'ya) - "Wrist fracture"; Common in medical contexts.
• Запястье руки (Zapyast'ye ruki) - "Wrist of the hand"; Specifies the anatomical location.
• Носить на запястье (Nosit' na zapyast'ye) - "To wear on the wrist"; Refers to accessories like watches or bracelets.

Usage Notes:

Запястье directly corresponds to the English "wrist" in anatomical and everyday contexts, but English speakers should note that Russian often requires the correct case for grammatical agreement (e.g., genitive for possession). It is neutral in tone and suitable for formal and informal settings, but in casual speech, Russians might use кисть if the context allows for broader meaning. When choosing between translations, opt for запястье for precision in medical or descriptive scenarios. Always consider the sentence structure, as Russian verbs and adjectives must agree with the noun's case and gender.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing запястье with кисть and using кисть to mean only "wrist" in medical contexts. Incorrect: "Я повредил кисть" (implying the whole hand). Correct: "Я повредил запястье" for a wrist-specific injury. Explanation: Кисть can mean "wrist" in informal speech but often includes the hand, leading to ambiguity; use запястье for accuracy.

• Error: Forgetting declensions, e.g., using nominative запястье in genitive contexts. Incorrect: "Боль в запястье" (correct, but if needed in other cases: "Боль запястья"). Correct: Always adjust for case, like "Боль в запястье" (prepositional). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English learners often overlook, resulting in grammatically incorrect sentences.

Cultural Notes:

While "wrist" itself doesn't carry strong cultural connotations in Russian, it may appear in contexts related to traditional Russian activities, such as folk dances or sports like wrestling, where joint injuries are common. In literature, such as in works by Tolstoy, descriptions of injuries to the wrist can symbolize vulnerability or resilience, reflecting broader themes in Russian culture.

Related Concepts:

• локоть (lokot') - Elbow
• рука (ruka) - Hand
• плечо (plecho) - Shoulder
• сустав (sustav) - Joint