Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'blue'

English Word: blue

Key Russian Translations:

• синий [ˈsʲinʲɪj] - [Common, General Use]
• голубой [ɡəlʊˈboj] - [Common, Often for Light Blue or Sky Blue]

Frequency: High (Both translations are widely used in everyday language)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner) for both translations due to common usage and simple pronunciation

Pronunciation (Russian):

синий: [ˈsʲinʲɪj]

Note on синий: The stress is on the first syllable. The 'и' sounds like the 'ee' in 'see' but shorter.

голубой: [ɡəlʊˈboj]

Note on голубой: The stress falls on the last syllable. The 'о' sounds are reduced due to unstressed positions.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Color (General Blue)

Translation(s) & Context:

• синий - Used for general or dark shades of blue (e.g., navy blue or deep blue).
• голубой - Often refers to lighter shades of blue, like sky blue or baby blue.

Usage Examples:

• У меня есть синий пиджак.

  I have a blue jacket. (Referring to a dark blue jacket)

• Небо сегодня такое голубое!

  The sky is so blue today! (Referring to a light, sky blue)

• Синий цвет успокаивает меня.

  The color blue calms me down. (General reference to blue)

• Она выбрала голубое платье для вечеринки.

  She chose a light blue dress for the party.

• Синие чернила трудно стираются.

  Blue ink is hard to erase.

2. Emotional State (Sad or Depressed)

Translation(s) & Context:

• синий - Rarely used in this sense; more often replaced by other expressions in Russian.

Usage Examples:

• Он выглядел очень синим после плохих новостей.

  He looked very blue after the bad news. (Rare usage; often replaced by "грустный")

Russian Forms/Inflections:

синий (Adjective): As a typical Russian adjective, "синий" changes based on gender, number, and case. Below is a table for nominative case forms:

голубой (Adjective): Follows similar adjective declension patterns as "синий".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for синий/голубой (depending on shade):

• лазурный (azure, often poetic)
• бирюзовый (turquoise, specific shade)

Note: "лазурный" is more literary, while "бирюзовый" specifies a greenish-blue hue.

Antonyms:

• красный (red)
• жёлтый (yellow)

Related Phrases:

• синий чулок - "blue stocking" (a derogatory term for an intellectual woman, often outdated)
• голубая мечта - "blue dream" (a cherished or unattainable dream)
• синяя птица - "blue bird" (symbol of happiness or good fortune, from literature)

Usage Notes:

• In Russian, "синий" is generally used for darker or neutral shades of blue, while "голубой" refers to lighter or sky-like shades. Choosing between them depends on the specific context or shade being described.
• Unlike English, Russian does not commonly use "blue" to express sadness or depression. Instead, words like "грустный" (sad) or "печальный" (sorrowful) are preferred.
• "голубой" can also have a colloquial connotation referring to homosexuality in modern Russian slang. Be cautious when using it in informal contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "синий" for light blue or sky blue contexts. Incorrect: "Небо синее." Correct: "Небо голубое." (The sky is blue.)
• Error: Assuming "голубой" can always replace "синий". Incorrect: "У меня голубой костюм" (if the suit is navy blue). Correct: "У меня синий костюм."
• Error: Using "синий" to mean sadness directly. Incorrect: "Я чувствую себя синим." Correct: "Я чувствую себя грустным."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the color blue, especially "голубой", is often associated with calmness, serenity, and the vastness of the sky. It appears frequently in literature and poetry, symbolizing dreams or distant ideals (e.g., "голубая мечта" - a blue dream). Additionally, "синяя птица" (blue bird) is a well-known symbol of happiness, stemming from Maurice Maeterlinck's play, which is popular in Russian adaptations.

Related Concepts:

• цвет (color)
• небо (sky)
• море (sea)