ловушка
lovushka
The Russian word for trap is ловушка (lovushka).
Ловушка refers to a device or mechanism designed to capture or restrain something or someone. To express the action of catching someone or something in a trap, you use the verbal phrase ловить в ловушку.
Meaning: to catch in a trap or traps (verb)
Which one should you use?
Западня specifically refers to a trap set to ensnare or deceive someone, often used metaphorically. Капкан refers to a device used to capture or trap animals, often associated with hunting or outdoor activities.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the noun ловушка is ловушки. The word ловушка changes to ловушку when it is the direct object of a verb, such as 'to set a trap'. The word ловушка changes to ловушке when used after the preposition 'в' (in) to indicate location.
How do you pronounce it?
lovushka
Did you know?
- The word западня comes from the root запад, which also means 'West'. This creates a linguistic link between the idea of a 'trap' and the cardinal direction 'West' in the Russian language.
- Because ловушка uses a diminutive suffix, it can sometimes sound strangely soft or even 'cute' in certain linguistic contexts, despite describing a dangerous device.
- The term западня is frequently used in Russian military history to describe the 'cauldron' tactics of encirclement. It transforms a small physical trap into a large scale strategic maneuver.
Examples in context
- Это может быть ловушка.It might be a trap.This sentence shows how to express the possibility of something being a ловушка.Tatoeba #4608483 by marafon, translation #1556021 by Spamster
- Это ловушка для туристов.It's a tourist trap.This sentence uses ловушка to describe a tourist trap.Tatoeba #4925222 by marafon, translation #3305888 by Hybrid
- Ваша ловушка не сработала.Your trap didn't work.This sentence shows the use of ловушка as the subject of a sentence regarding a trap that did not work.Tatoeba #4040595 by odexed, translation #9458641 by CK
- Будьте осторожны, там установлена ловушка.Be careful, there's a trap set there.
- 43 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dmitry and Olga are discussing how to catch a mouse in the house.
- Дмитрий DmitryНам нужна ловушка для этой мыши.Nam nuzhna lovushka dlya etoy myshi.We need a trap for this mouse.
- Ольга OlgaГде мы можем купить её?Gde my mozhem kupit' yeyo?Where can we buy one?
- Дмитрий DmitryВ магазине за углом есть ловушка.V magazine za uglom yest' lovushka.There is a trap in the store around the corner.
- Ольга OlgaХорошо, я схожу туда сейчас.Khorosho, ya skhozhu tuda seychas.Okay, I will go there now.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
