12 words you can't be wrong with stress

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

We will talk about homographs - words with the same spelling, but different sounds and meanings.

There are many homographs in the Russian language. Some are very easy to distinguish, such as "castle" and "castle", while others are a little more difficult. We have put together a couple of words that may raise doubts.

1. Characteristic and characteristic

This pair of adjectives is formed from one word - "character": in one case, the stress remained in place, and in the other, it shifted to the center to maintain rhythmic balance. As a result, we got two words with similar but different meanings.

If the stress is on "e", then "characteristic" describes some typical property, a striking feature of something or someone:

• Such cloudy weather is typical for St. Petersburg.
• Oleg's characteristic manner of speech cannot be confused with anything.

But if the emphasis falls on the second "a", we are talking about the properties of character - willfulness, stubbornness, imperiousness. Also, this type of stress is used in performing arts to describe a role that clearly shows a specific type of personality, or an actor with a certain role.

• I watched the entire filmography of your favorite actress and I want to say she is really good: all her roles are so characteristic.
• Katya is so characteristic, it is very difficult to communicate with her!

2. Reflexive and reflective

Unlike the previous pair, these adjectives are derived from two different nouns. This is the reason for the difference in stress and meaning.

The word "reflex" is derived from "reflector" ("reflector") and speaks of the ability of an object to reflect light.

This mirror has a reflective glass

The adjective "reflex" is derived from the word "reflex" and means "involuntarily, unconsciously reacting."

Yes, it was reflective behavior. And what's wrong with that?

3. Basilica and Basilica

The situation with these homographs is a little more complicated. One of them is a noun not in the initial form, but in the genitive case. And in the other, both variants of stress are acceptable. Now in more detail.

The Basilica is an elongated rectangular building, divided inside by pillars or columns. In this sense, the word can be stressed on any "and", although some orthoepic reference books recommend saying only "basil." Variation is associated with etymology: the word came into Russian from the Latin basilíca through the Greek basiliké. In these words, the emphasis falls on different sounds, and both versions are preserved in Russian.

• Yesterday we visited such a beautiful basilica!
• Do you know how to get to the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo?

It is much easier to deal with the genitive case of the word "basil": in this case, the stress should be placed only on the second "and". And this is also connected with etymology: the noun came to the Russian language from the French basilíc, and into it - from the Latin basilícus.

This salad doesn't seem to have enough basil

4. Kirk and Kirka

This pair of nouns also got into Russian from foreign languages, but homographs were formed from different words.

Kirká is a tool for mining and earthwork. In etymological dictionaries, there are different versions of where this word was borrowed from: Krylov's dictionary says that the name comes from the Greek kerkis ("hoe"), and Vasmer's dictionary - that from the Turkish kürek ("shovel"). It is interesting that the stress in these source words is different: in Greek it falls on the first syllable, and in Turkish, as in Russian, on the second. It would seem that this should immediately dismiss the option with borrowing from Greek, but earlier some dictionaries suggested calling the instrument "kirka".

I wonder if the pick is heavy?

Kirka with an emphasis on "i" is the Lutheran Church. In Russian, this word came from the German kírche and retained the stress of the original.

I heard that there is a beautiful kirka nearby. Let's go see?

5. Armor and armor

These nouns are also borrowed. Both of them originated from the ancient German word brunnja ("shell", "armor"), but received different meanings. The word "armor" has preserved the meaning of the original - armor, a protective layer of clothing.

It seems to have very strong armor. Do you know what it is from?

But "armor" means the attachment of something to someone or a document confirming it. For example, booking tickets. Yes, according to the norms of the Russian language, it is precisely "armor" and not "reservation" that is correct. The latter form was considered colloquial for a long time, and is now recognized as a colloquial version.

I have an armor on a table for two

6. Flap and flap

But these homographs have very close values. If the accent falls on "y", we are talking about a piece or piece of fabric or other material. You can also use this form to describe a small area, such as land or paper.

• Masha held a piece of paper in her palm.
• Pasha recently bought some strange piece of land on the outskirts of the city.

The word "flap" with an emphasis on "o" is used in the textile, clothing, leather industry and means the rest of the material.