Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'beard'

English Word: beard

Key Russian Translations:

• борода [bɐˈrodə] - [Common, Neutral]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner to Elementary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

борода: [bɐˈrodə]

Note on борода: The stress falls on the second syllable. The 'о' in the first syllable is reduced to a schwa sound [ɐ] in unstressed position, which is common in Russian pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Facial Hair (Literal Meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• борода - Refers to the hair growing on a man's chin and cheeks, the direct translation of "beard."

Usage Examples:

• У него длинная седая борода.

  He has a long gray beard.

• Он решил отрастить бороду.

  He decided to grow a beard.

• Борода делает его старше на вид.

  The beard makes him look older.

• Он гладко выбрил бороду перед собеседованием.

  He shaved his beard cleanly before the interview.

• Его борода была аккуратно подстрижена.

  His beard was neatly trimmed.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The Russian word борода is a feminine noun. It follows the standard declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -а. Below is the declension table for singular and plural forms:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • бородка (diminutive, refers to a small or neat beard)
• Antonyms:
  • нет бороды (literally "no beard," used to indicate a clean-shaven face)

Note: "бородка" often implies a smaller or more stylized beard compared to the general "борода."

Related Phrases:

• отрастить бороду - to grow a beard
• сбрить бороду - to shave off a beard
• седая борода - gray beard (often associated with wisdom or age)
• борода клином - wedge-shaped beard (a specific style)

Usage Notes:

• The word борода is the standard and most common term for "beard" in Russian, applicable in both formal and informal contexts.
• It is a feminine noun, which may be surprising to English speakers since it refers to a typically masculine trait. Pay attention to agreement with adjectives and verbs.
• In metaphorical or idiomatic usage, "борода" can sometimes refer to something old or outdated, as in "эта шутка с бородой" (this joke is old, literally "with a beard").

Common Errors:

• Error: Incorrect gender agreement. English speakers often mistakenly use masculine adjectives with "борода" because it relates to men.
  • Incorrect: красивый борода
  • Correct: красивая борода (beautiful beard)
  • Explanation: "Борода" is feminine, so adjectives must agree in gender.
• Error: Misusing cases after prepositions.
  • Incorrect: Я вижу борода (I see beard)
  • Correct: Я вижу бороду
  • Explanation: The accusative case is required after "вижу" (to see).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, beards have historically been associated with wisdom, age, and authority, especially in religious and traditional contexts. In Orthodox Christian tradition, priests often wear long beards as a sign of spiritual devotion. Additionally, famous historical figures like Tsar Peter the Great famously imposed a "beard tax" in the 18th century to modernize Russia by encouraging clean-shaven faces. Today, beards are a personal style choice, much like in Western cultures, but they still carry some traditional connotations of maturity.

Related Concepts:

• усы (mustache)
• бакенбарды (sideburns)
• бриться (to shave)