Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ambient'

English Word: ambient

Key Russian Translations:

• окружающий [ɐˈkruʐəjʊʂʲɪj] - [Formal, Adjective, Used in environmental or descriptive contexts]
• эмбиент [ɛmˈbʲiɛnt] - [Informal, Noun, Used specifically for music genres or borrowed terms]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in scientific, environmental, and artistic discussions)

Difficulty: B1 for 'окружающий' (Intermediate, as it involves basic adjective declension); B2 for 'эмбиент' (Upper-Intermediate, due to its borrowed status and niche usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

окружающий: [ɐˈkruʐəjʊʂʲɪj]

Note on окружающий: The stress is on the second syllable; the 'ж' sound is a soft palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it like "uh-KROO-zhuh-yoo-shcheey."

эмбиент: [ɛmˈbʲiɛnt]

Note on эмбиент: This is a loanword from English, so it's pronounced similarly; the 'бʲ' is a soft 'b' sound, akin to "em-BYE-ent." Variations may occur in casual speech.

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Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Relating to the surrounding environment or atmosphere (e.g., ambient temperature)

Translation(s) & Context:

• окружающий - Used in formal or scientific contexts to describe something surrounding or environmental, such as ambient air quality.

Usage Examples:

• Вокруг нас окружающая среда играет ключевую роль в экологии.

  The ambient environment around us plays a key role in ecology.

• Окружающий шум от города мешает мне сосредоточиться.

  The ambient noise from the city makes it hard for me to concentrate.

• В лаборатории мы измеряем окружающую температуру для эксперимента.

  In the lab, we measure the ambient temperature for the experiment.

• Окружающий воздух в горах всегда кажется чище.

  The ambient air in the mountains always feels cleaner.

Meaning 2: Referring to a genre of music characterized by atmospheric sounds (e.g., ambient music)

Translation(s) & Context:

• эмбиент - Used in informal or artistic contexts, often as a direct borrowing for the music genre.

Usage Examples:

• Эмбиент музыка идеально подходит для релаксации и медитации.

  Ambient music is perfect for relaxation and meditation.

• Я открыл для себя новый альбом в стиле эмбиент от российского композитора.

  I discovered a new ambient album by a Russian composer.

• В кафе часто играют эмбиент, чтобы создать спокойную атмосферу.

  They often play ambient music in cafes to create a calm atmosphere.

• Эмбиент сочетает электронные звуки с естественными элементами природы.

  Ambient combines electronic sounds with natural elements of nature.

• Мой плейлист включает классический эмбиент и современные вариации.

  My playlist includes classic ambient and modern variations.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'окружающий' (an adjective), it follows standard Russian adjective declension patterns, which vary by gender, number, and case. It is a regular adjective and changes accordingly.

For 'эмбиент' (a noun, indeclinable due to its borrowed nature), it does not change forms and remains the same in all cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • окружающий: атмосферный (atmosfernyy) - Similar in environmental contexts, but more focused on atmosphere.
  • эмбиент: атмосферный (atmosfernyy) - Used interchangeably in music, with a slight emphasis on mood.
• Antonyms:
  • окружающий: внутренний (vnutrenniy) - Meaning internal or inside, contrasting with surrounding.
  • эмбиент: динамичный (dinamicheskiy) - Meaning dynamic or energetic, opposing the calm nature of ambient music.

Related Phrases:

• Окружающая среда - The ambient environment; refers to the natural surroundings in ecological discussions.
• Эмбиент музыка - Ambient music; a common phrase for the genre in artistic contexts.
• Окружающий шум - Ambient noise; used to describe background sounds in everyday life.

Usage Notes:

'Окружающий' directly corresponds to the environmental sense of 'ambient' in English and is preferred in formal writing or scientific texts. Choose 'эмбиент' for music-related contexts, as it's a direct loanword and maintains an informal, modern feel. Be mindful of gender and case agreements when using 'окружающий' in sentences. For English learners, note that Russian adjectives like this one must agree with the nouns they modify, which differs from English's invariable adjectives.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'окружающий' without proper declension, e.g., saying "окружающий дом" when it should be "окружающий дом" in nominative, but forgetting to change for other cases like genitive ("окружающего дома").

  Correct: Ensure agreement, e.g., "в окружающем доме" (in the ambient house). Explanation: Russian requires adjectives to match the noun's case, which English speakers often overlook.

• Error: Confusing 'эмбиент' with 'ambient' in non-music contexts, leading to misuse like applying it to environmental descriptions.

  Correct: Reserve 'эмбиент' for music; use 'окружающий' for environments. Explanation: This borrowed word is context-specific, and misapplying it can make speech sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'эмбиент' music has gained popularity in urban settings, often associated with contemporary art scenes in cities like Moscow. It reflects a modern appreciation for minimalism and introspection, influenced by global trends but adapted to Russian themes, such as nature-inspired sounds from vast landscapes.

Related Concepts:

• атмосферный
• экология
• электронная музыка