Thread: Very simple question seeking very simple answer

What is the difference between:
кольцо and перстень? They both mean "ring"...

Перстень - это кольцо с украшением (обычно с драгоценным камнем или печаткой). Т.е. простое кольцо (ободок из металла) - это не перстень.

Перстень is a ring that you wear on your finger. It is derived from перст - an obsolete word for finger.
Кольцо has a lot of other meanings as well, just like English "ring", e.g. a circular street or road can be called "кольцо" (Садовое кольцо, Бульварное кольцо), the ring for piercing is called кольцо as well, etc., etc.

спасибо, ребята!

"Перстень" is bigger..usually it has a big jewel ..but now this word is a bit uncommon ..it is often used when it's an old ring...if it's something modern you can use "кольцо" : кольцо с бриллиантом, золотое кольцо, обручальное кольцо.

Ok, continuing my simple questions seeking simple answers.

What is the difference between:
крохотный, ничтожный and крошечный?

They all mean very small

Kрохотный/крошечный means "very small/tiny", and nothing more.
Hичтожный is slightly negative and have such meanings:
1) trifling; insignificant; tiny; vain
2) worthless, paltry (о человеке)

I just want to add one more thing: "Перстень" comes from the word "Перст" which in the older days of Russian meant Палец and to day the word "Перстень" conciders to bean old fashion kinda word and usually people say more "Кольцо" than "Перстень".

And you can always say in Czech

Strč prst skrz krk!

Sounds like cracking someone's skull in English.

Originally Posted by Rtyom

Sounds like cracking someone's skull in English.

in Russian too

How do you say wedding ring, then? :S

Originally Posted by Mixaelus

How do you say wedding ring, then? :S

обручальное кольцо

You probably wouldn't use "кольцо" for man's ring other than wedding ring. You would use "перстень".

Originally Posted by Vesh

You probably wouldn't use "кольцо" for man's ring other than wedding ring. You would use "перстень".

Yes, it sounds better.

Originally Posted by Vesh

You probably wouldn't use "кольцо" for man's ring other than wedding ring. You would use "перстень".

The way I see it, a usual кольцо is generally smaller than перстень, that's why I would use кольцо in many situations concerning men.

Originally Posted by Vesh

You probably wouldn't use "кольцо" for man's ring other than wedding ring. You would use "перстень".

Мужской перстень.
(Но, в случае если это wedding ring) - то
Обручальное кольцо, даже у мужчины.

Ну просто мужчины чаще носят перстни, чем кольца, поэтому "мужской перстень" звучит привычнее.

Но если мужчина наденет просто кольцо (без камня, без печатки, и даже если оно не обручальное), то это все равно будет кольцо, а не перстень.