Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'zipper'

English Word: zipper

Key Russian Translations:

• молния [ˈmolnʲijə] - [Informal, Everyday use for clothing and accessories]

Frequency: Medium (Common in daily conversations about clothing and everyday items, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like "door" or "window").

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level; straightforward for new learners due to its simple form and common usage in basic contexts).

Pronunciation (Russian):

молния: [ˈmolnʲijə]

Note on молния: The stress is on the first syllable, and the "л" is palatalized, which is a common feature in Russian nouns. Be careful with the soft "нʲ" sound, which may be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The fastener used on clothing, bags, and other items to open and close them.

Translation(s) & Context:

• молния - Used in everyday contexts for zippers on jackets, bags, or pants; appropriate in both spoken and written Russian for general descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Я застегнул молнию на куртке, чтобы не замерзнуть.

  I zipped up my jacket to stay warm.

• Молния на моей сумке сломалась, и теперь она не закрывается.

  The zipper on my bag broke, and now it won't close.

• Пожалуйста, расстегните молнию на рюкзаке перед досмотром.

  Please unzip the backpack before the inspection.

• Дети любят играть с молнией на своей одежде.

  Kids love playing with the zipper on their clothes.

• В этой куртке молния сделана из качественного металла.

  In this jacket, the zipper is made of high-quality metal.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Молния" is a feminine noun in Russian (3rd declension). It follows standard noun inflection patterns for case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular inflections, making it straightforward for learners. In plural form, it's used when referring to multiple zippers.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: застежка (zashteshka) - A general term for fasteners, often used interchangeably in formal contexts; фастенер (fastener) - A loanword, less common but used in technical descriptions.
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "молния" is a specific object rather than a quality or state.

Related Phrases:

• Застегнуть молнию - To zip up; used when closing a zipper, common in daily routines.
• Расстегнуть молнию - To unzip; applied in contexts like undressing or opening bags.
• Молния заедает - The zipper is stuck; a phrase for describing malfunctions in everyday situations.

Usage Notes:

• The Russian word "молния" directly corresponds to "zipper" in English but can also mean "lightning" in other contexts, so context is key to avoid confusion.
• It is neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both casual and professional settings, such as shopping or clothing descriptions.
• When choosing translations, "молния" is the most accurate for physical zippers; avoid "замок" (lock) as it might imply a different type of fastener.
• Grammatically, always treat it as a feminine noun, which affects adjective agreements (e.g., "качественная молния" for "quality zipper").

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "молния" with its other meaning, "lightning," leading to misuse in sentences like "The storm has a zipper" translated as "У шторма есть молния," which incorrectly implies lightning instead of a fastener. Correct: Use "молния" only for zippers in clothing contexts to avoid ambiguity.
• Error: Incorrect inflection, such as using the nominative "молния" in all cases (e.g., "Я взял молния" instead of "Я взял молнию"). Correct: Always inflect properly, as in "Я взял молнию" (I took the zipper), to match the accusative case.
• Error: Overusing loanwords like "зиппер" (zipper in English transliteration), which is rare in Russian. Correct: Stick to "молния" for natural speech.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "молния" as a zipper is a mundane item without deep historical connotations, but it reflects practical aspects of daily life in cold climates where reliable clothing fasteners are essential. Interestingly, the word's dual meaning (zipper and lightning) can lead to puns in literature or media, highlighting the richness of Russian homonyms.

Related Concepts:

• пуговица (button)
• замок (lock, for other fasteners)
• кнопка (snap or button, in clothing)