Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'brume'

English Word: brume

Key Russian Translations:

• туман [ˈtumən] - [Neutral, commonly used in everyday weather descriptions]
• мгла [ˈmɡla] - [Poetic or literary, Informal, often implies a mysterious or hazy atmosphere]

Frequency: High (e.g., "туман" is a very common word in Russian, appearing frequently in weather reports, literature, and daily conversation; "мгла" is Medium, as it's more specialized).

Difficulty: Intermediate (A2-B1 for "туман", as it's a basic noun with straightforward usage; B2 for "мгла", due to its more nuanced, literary connotations).

Pronunciation (Russian):

туман: [ˈtumən]

мгла: [ˈmɡla]

Note on туман: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the soft 'н' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. A common variation in fast speech might soften the 'т'.

Note on мгла: Pronounce the 'г' as a voiced velar fricative; it's similar to the 'g' in "go", but ensure it's not aspirated. This word often appears in poetic contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The mist or fog that appears in cool, damp conditions, often in the morning or evening.

Translation(s) & Context:

• туман - Used in neutral, everyday contexts like weather forecasts or descriptions of natural environments.
• мгла - Applied in more evocative or literary settings, such as describing atmospheric mystery in stories or poetry.

Usage Examples:

• Утром над рекой висел густой туман.

  In the morning, a thick brume hung over the river. (This example shows "туман" in a descriptive, natural context.)

• В старом лесу окутала всё мгла, делая путь опасным.

  The brume enveloped everything in the old forest, making the path dangerous. (Here, "мгла" is used for a poetic, atmospheric effect.)

• Из-за тумана самолёт задержался на несколько часов.

  Due to the brume, the plane was delayed for several hours. (Demonstrates "туман" in a practical, modern scenario.)

• Поэты часто используют образ мглы, чтобы передать ощущение таинственности.

  Poets often use the image of brume to convey a sense of mystery. (Illustrates "мгла" in a literary or metaphorical context.)

• Когда туман рассеялся, мы наконец увидели горы.

  When the brume cleared, we finally saw the mountains. (Shows "туман" with a verb, indicating change over time.)

A literary or poetic reference to a hazy, indistinct atmosphere.

Translation(s) & Context:

• мгла - Primarily used in artistic or figurative language, contrasting with the more literal "туман".

Usage Examples:

• Мгла осени навевает грусть и размышления.

  The brume of autumn evokes sadness and contemplation. (Emphasizes "мгла" in a seasonal, emotional context.)

• В мгле ночи трудно различить очертания зданий.

  In the brume of night, it's hard to make out the outlines of buildings. (Combines "мгла" with time-based descriptions.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"туман" is a masculine noun of the second declension, which means it follows regular patterns for most cases. It is invariable in plural forms as it typically refers to an uncountable mass. Below is a table of its inflections:

"мгла" is a feminine noun of the first declension and also follows regular patterns. It can be pluralized in some contexts but is often used singularly:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • дымка (dymka) - Lighter, more ephemeral mist; often used for a thin haze.
  • пар (par) - Refers to steam or vapor, similar in foggy contexts but more scientific.
• Antonyms:
  • ясность (yasnost') - Clearness or clarity, implying the absence of fog.
  • свет (svet) - Light, contrasting with the obscurity of brume.

Related Phrases:

• густой туман - Thick brume; used to describe dense fog that reduces visibility.
• мгла тайги - The brume of the taiga; refers to the mysterious haze in forested areas, with cultural connotations of wilderness.
• рассеять туман - To dispel the brume; a metaphorical phrase for clarifying confusion or mystery.

Usage Notes:

"Brume" corresponds most directly to "туман" in neutral contexts, but "мгла" is preferred for poetic or atmospheric descriptions, similar to how English uses "mist" versus "haze". Be mindful of case endings in Russian sentences; for example, use the genitive "тумана" after prepositions like "из-за" (because of). In formal writing, "туман" is versatile, while "мгла" suits literary or artistic language. When choosing between translations, opt for "туман" in everyday scenarios and "мгла" for emphasis on mood or mystery.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "туман" with "дым" (smoke): English learners might misuse "туман" for smoky conditions. Incorrect: "В комнате был туман от сигареты" (The room had brume from the cigarette). Correct: "В комнате был дым от сигареты" (The room had smoke from the cigarette). Explanation: "Туман" specifically means atmospheric moisture, not particulate matter like smoke.
• Neglecting case changes: For instance, saying "в туман" instead of "в тумане" in prepositional contexts. Incorrect: "Я гулял в туман" (I walked in brume). Correct: "Я гулял в тумане" (I walked in the brume). Explanation: The prepositional case requires the ending "-е" for location.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "мгла" often appears in literature, such as in the works of Pushkin or Chekhov, symbolizing uncertainty, introspection, or the vastness of the Russian landscape. It evokes a sense of melancholy or romanticism, reflecting the country's long winters and foggy terrains, which have historically influenced art and folklore.

Related Concepts:

• осадки (osadki) - Precipitation
• погода (pogoda) - Weather
• влажность (vlagmost') - Humidity