Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Black'

English Word: black

Key Russian Translations:

• чёрный [ˈtɕornɨj] - [Formal/Informal, Adjective]
• чернота [tɕɨrˈnota] - [Abstract Noun, Refers to blackness as a concept]

Frequency: High (especially for "чёрный")

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner) for "чёрный"; B1 (Intermediate) for "чернота"

Pronunciation (Russian):

чёрный: [ˈtɕornɨj]

Note on чёрный: The stress falls on the first syllable. The "ё" is always stressed and pronounced as "yo."

чернота: [tɕɨrˈnota]

Note on чернота: Stress on the second syllable. The "о" in the stressed syllable is pronounced clearly as "o."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Color (Adjective)

Translation(s) & Context:

• чёрный - Used to describe the color black in most contexts, e.g., objects, clothing, hair.

Usage Examples:

• У меня есть чёрная куртка.

  I have a black jacket.

• Чёрное небо предвещало бурю.

  The black sky foretold a storm.

• Её чёрные волосы блестели на солнце.

  Her black hair shone in the sun.

2. Abstract Concept (Noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• чернота - Refers to blackness as an abstract concept, often in poetic or metaphorical contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Чернота ночи пугала меня.

  The blackness of the night scared me.

• В его душе была чернота.

  There was blackness in his soul.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

чёрный (Adjective): Declines according to gender, number, and case. Below is the basic declension for singular forms in Nominative, Genitive, and Accusative cases.

чернота (Noun): Feminine noun, declines as a regular feminine noun in -а. Nominative: чернота, Genitive: черноты, etc.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for чёрный:

• тёмный (darker shade, sometimes used metaphorically)
• угольно-чёрный (coal-black, emphasizes deep black)

Antonyms for чёрный:

• белый (white)
• светлый (light)

Related Phrases:

• чёрный день - "black day," meaning a day of misfortune or hardship.
• чёрный рынок - "black market," referring to illegal trade.
• чёрный юмор - "black humor," dark or morbid humor.

Usage Notes:

• "Чёрный" is the most common and versatile translation for "black" and can be used in nearly all contexts referring to the color.
• "Чернота" is less frequent and typically used in abstract or metaphorical senses. It is not a direct substitute for "чёрный."
• Be mindful of adjective agreement in Russian: "чёрный" must match the gender, number, and case of the noun it modifies.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "чернота" to describe a black object (e.g., *чернота машина instead of чёрная машина). Explanation: "Чернота" is a noun and cannot function as an adjective. Use "чёрный" for descriptions of color.
• Error: Forgetting to adjust "чёрный" for gender or case (e.g., *чёрный машина instead of чёрная машина). Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with the noun they describe.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "чёрный" can carry negative connotations in certain contexts, such as "чёрный день" (a day of hardship) or "чёрная душа" (a dark soul, implying evil). This mirrors some English uses of "black" but may feel more emotionally charged in Russian expressions.

Related Concepts:

• тёмный (dark)
• мрак (darkness)
• ночь (night)