Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'bosom'

English Word: bosom

Key Russian Translations:

• грудь [ɡrutʲ] - [Neutral, Used for both literal and figurative meanings]
• лоно [ˈlonə] - [Formal, Often used in poetic or metaphorical contexts]
• пазуха [pɐˈzuxə] - [Informal, Refers to the area near the chest, often with a protective connotation]

Frequency: Medium (грудь is common; лоно and пазуха are less frequent)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (грудь - Beginner; лоно and пазуха - Intermediate due to specific contexts)

Pronunciation (Russian):

грудь: [ɡrutʲ]

Note on грудь: The 'р' is rolled, and the final soft sign 'ь' indicates a palatalized 'т' sound.

лоно: [ˈlonə]

Note on лоно: Stress falls on the first syllable; the 'о' sounds like 'o' in 'core'.

пазуха: [pɐˈzuxə]

Note on пазуха: Stress on the second syllable; the 'х' is a guttural sound like 'ch' in 'loch'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Literal Meaning (Chest or Breast)

Translation(s) & Context:

• грудь - Refers to the physical chest or breast, used in medical or neutral contexts.

Usage Examples:

• У неё болит грудь после тренировки.

  Her chest hurts after the workout.

• Он прижал ребёнка к груди.

  He pressed the child to his chest.

• Грудь должна быть чистой перед кормлением.

  The breast should be clean before feeding.

2. Figurative Meaning (Heart, Embrace, or Intimacy)

Translation(s) & Context:

• грудь - Used metaphorically to mean heart or deep feelings.
• лоно - Often used in literature or formal speech to denote a protective or nurturing embrace.
• пазуха - Refers to a protective or secretive space near the chest, often used in idioms.

Usage Examples:

• Она хранит эту тайну в груди.

  She keeps this secret in her heart.

• Он вернулся в лоно семьи после долгих лет.

  He returned to the bosom of his family after many years.

• Держать камень за пазухой.

  To hold a stone in one’s bosom (to harbor a grudge).

Russian Forms/Inflections:

грудь (feminine noun, 3rd declension):

лоно (neuter noun, 2nd declension): Regular declension for neuter nouns ending in -о. Rarely used in plural.

пазуха (feminine noun, 1st declension): Follows standard feminine declension patterns with stress shifts in some forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for грудь (literal meaning):

• перси (poetic, rare)
• бюст (refers to bust, often in art or fashion)

Synonyms for лоно (figurative meaning): 'лоно' often stands alone in poetic contexts with no direct synonyms.

Antonyms: None directly applicable due to the specific nature of the word.

Related Phrases:

• Прижать к груди - To hold close to one’s chest (to embrace or protect).
• Вернуться в лоно природы - To return to the bosom of nature (to reconnect with nature).
• Держать за пазухой - To keep in one’s bosom (to hide something, often with negative intent).

Usage Notes:

• 'грудь' is the most versatile and common translation, suitable for both literal (physical chest/breast) and figurative (heart, emotions) meanings. It is the safest choice for most contexts.

• 'лоно' is highly formal or poetic, often used in expressions like 'лоно семьи' (bosom of the family) or 'лоно природы' (bosom of nature). Avoid using it in everyday speech.

• 'пазуха' is more colloquial and often appears in fixed expressions. It conveys a sense of secrecy or protection, as in hiding something close to the chest.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'лоно' in casual conversation. Incorrect: 'Я держу это в лоне' (I keep this in my bosom). Correct: Use 'грудь' for metaphorical meanings in everyday speech, e.g., 'Я держу это в груди'.

• Error: Misusing 'пазуха' without understanding its idiomatic nature. Incorrect: 'У меня болит пазуха' for chest pain. Correct: Use 'грудь' for physical references, e.g., 'У меня болит грудь'.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of 'грудь' often carries emotional weight, symbolizing not just the physical chest but also sincerity and deep feelings (e.g., 'говорить от груди' - to speak from the heart). 'лоно' is tied to traditional and literary imagery of protection and return, often invoking familial or natural ties.

Related Concepts:

• сердце (heart)
• душа (soul)
• объятия (embrace)