Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'boudoir'

English Word: boudoir

Key Russian Translations:

• будуар [buˈduar] - [Formal, Literary; Used in contexts describing private or luxurious spaces]

Frequency: Medium (This word is not everyday vocabulary but appears in literature, historical texts, or formal descriptions of interiors.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B2) - Learners need familiarity with borrowed words from French and basic noun declensions in Russian.

Pronunciation (Russian):

будуар: [buˈduar]

Note on будуар: The stress is on the second syllable ("du"), and the "u" sounds like the "oo" in "boot." Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects, but this is the standard Moscow variant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A woman's private sitting room, dressing room, or a small, intimate space for personal relaxation.

Translation(s) & Context:

• будуар - Typically used in formal, literary, or historical contexts to describe a private, often luxurious room; common in novels or discussions of 19th-century European culture.

Usage Examples:

• В её будуаре царила атмосфера уюта и роскоши.

  In her boudoir, an atmosphere of coziness and luxury reigned.

• Будуар был украшен антикварными зеркалами и мягкими коврами.

  The boudoir was decorated with antique mirrors and soft carpets.

• Она проводила часы в своём будуаре, читая книги и размышляя.

  She spent hours in her boudoir, reading books and reflecting.

• В историческом музее восстановили будуар императрицы с оригинальной мебелью.

  In the historical museum, they restored the empress's boudoir with original furniture.

• Современные дизайнеры часто включают элементы будуара в спальни для создания интимной атмосферы.

  Modern designers often incorporate boudoir elements into bedrooms to create an intimate atmosphere.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Будуар" is a masculine noun in Russian (borrowed from French), and it follows standard first-declension patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. It is not highly irregular but does change based on case and number.

Note: The plural form is less common, as "будуар" typically refers to a singular, personal space. It does not change for gender since it is inherently masculine.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • спальня (spal'n'ya) - More general term for bedroom; used in everyday contexts, but less luxurious connotation.
  • кабинет (kabi'net) - Study or private room, often for work; implies a similar sense of privacy but not specifically feminine.
• Antonyms:
  • гостиная (gos'ti'naya) - Living room or public space; contrasts with the private nature of a boudoir.

Related Phrases:

• уютный будуар (uyutnyy buduar) - Cozy boudoir; A phrase used to describe a comfortable, intimate space in interior design contexts.
• будуар императрицы (buduar imperatritsy) - Empress's boudoir; Often appears in historical or royal settings to evoke luxury and privacy.
• современный будуар (sovremennyy buduar) - Modern boudoir; Refers to updated versions in contemporary home decor, blending tradition with modernity.

Usage Notes:

"Будуар" directly corresponds to the English "boudoir" as a borrowed term, often retaining a sense of elegance and femininity. It is primarily used in formal or literary English, so in Russian, it's best reserved for similar contexts like historical novels or design discussions. Be mindful of grammatical gender: as a masculine noun, it requires masculine agreement in adjectives (e.g., "уютный будуар"). When choosing between synonyms like "спальня," opt for "будуар" if emphasizing luxury or privacy. In everyday Russian, native speakers might prefer simpler terms, so this word could sound archaic or pretentious in casual conversation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "в будуар" instead of "в будуаре" (prepositional case). Correct: "в будуаре" – Explanation: Russian requires the prepositional case after prepositions like "в" (in), so learners must declaim the noun properly to avoid sounding unnatural.

• Error: Treating it as a feminine noun and using feminine agreements, e.g., "уютная будуар" instead of "уютный будуар." Correct: "уютный будуар" – Explanation: Despite its association with women, "будуар" is grammatically masculine, so adjectives must agree in gender.

• Error: Overusing in informal settings, e.g., describing a simple bedroom as "будуар." Correct: Reserve for contexts implying luxury; use "спальня" for everyday rooms – Explanation: This can make speech sound overly dramatic or incorrect in modern Russian.

Cultural Notes:

"Будуар" originates from French influence in Russian culture, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries under the tsars, when French styles dominated aristocratic life. It evokes images of opulent imperial palaces, like those in St. Petersburg, where such rooms symbolized feminine privacy and refinement. In contemporary Russian culture, it's often romanticized in literature or films about the Romanov era, highlighting social hierarchies and personal intimacy.

Related Concepts:

• спальня (spal'n'ya)
• кабинет (kabi'net)
• гостиная (gos'ti'naya)
• интерьер (int'ye'r'yer)