Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cleavage'

English Word: Cleavage

Key Russian Translations:

• раскол [rɐˈskol] - [Formal, Often used metaphorically for division or split]
• расщепление [rɐʂːɪˈplʲenʲɪjə] - [Formal, Scientific/Technical, Often for physical or chemical splitting]
• декольте [dʲɪkɐlˈtʲe] - [Informal, Refers to neckline or bust area in fashion]

Frequency: Medium (varies by context; "декольте" is more common in casual contexts, while "раскол" and "расщепление" are context-specific)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; "декольте" is easier at A2, while "раскол" and "расщепление" are B2 due to nuanced usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

раскол: [rɐˈskol]

Note on раскол: Stress on the second syllable; the 'r' is rolled slightly.

расщепление: [rɐʂːɪˈplʲenʲɪjə]

Note on расщепление: Stress on the third syllable; the 'щ' sounds like a long 'shch'.

декольте: [dʲɪkɐlˈtʲe]

Note on декольте: Stress on the last syllable; borrowed from French, pronounced with a soft 'd'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Split or Division (Physical or Metaphorical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• раскол - Used for social, political, or ideological splits (e.g., schism).
• расщепление - Used in scientific or technical contexts for splitting (e.g., atomic cleavage).

Usage Examples:

• Раскол в обществе стал очевиден после выборов.

  The cleavage in society became evident after the elections.

• Расщепление атома — это сложный процесс.

  The cleavage of an atom is a complex process.

• Раскол между друзьями был неизбежен.

  The cleavage between friends was inevitable.

2. Neckline or Bust Area (Fashion)

Translation(s) & Context:

• декольте - Refers to a low-cut neckline or the visible bust area in clothing.

Usage Examples:

• Её платье с глубоким декольте привлекло внимание.

  Her dress with a deep cleavage caught attention.

• Декольте на этом платье выглядит элегантно.

  The cleavage on this dress looks elegant.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

раскол (Masculine Noun):

Case	Singular
Nominative	раскол
Genitive	раскола
Dative	расколу
Accusative	раскол
Instrumental	расколом
Prepositional	о расколе

расщепление (Neuter Noun): Follows standard neuter noun declension patterns for singular and plural forms.

декольте (Neuter Noun, Indeclinable): Borrowed from French, does not change form in any case or number.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for раскол:

• разделение (division)
• распад (disintegration)

Note: "разделение" is more neutral, while "распад" often implies collapse or decay.

Antonyms for раскол:

• объединение (unification)
• согласие (agreement)

Synonyms for декольте:

• вырез (neckline)

Related Phrases:

• раскол общества - Social cleavage/divide.
• расщепление на части - Cleavage into parts (physical or abstract).
• глубокое декольте - Deep cleavage (in fashion context).

Usage Notes:

• "раскол" is often used in historical or political contexts (e.g., church schisms or societal divides) and rarely refers to physical splitting.
• "расщепление" is mostly technical or scientific; it is not used for personal or social contexts.
• "декольте" exclusively refers to the fashion/body context and should not be confused with the other meanings of "cleavage."
• Choosing the right translation depends heavily on context; English speakers must clarify whether they mean a metaphorical split or a physical/fashion-related term.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "декольте" to mean a societal split. Wrong: "Декольте в обществе." Correct: "Раскол в обществе."
• Error: Using "раскол" in a scientific context like atomic splitting. Wrong: "Раскол атома." Correct: "Расщепление атома."
• Explanation: These errors stem from not distinguishing the specific domains of each Russian term. Always consider the context before translating "cleavage."

Cultural Notes:

The term "раскол" carries significant historical weight in Russian culture, often associated with the 17th-century schism in the Russian Orthodox Church (Раскол). When using this term, be aware of its deep cultural and historical connotations.

"декольте," as a borrowed term from French, reflects the influence of European fashion terminology in Russian and is commonly used in modern contexts without cultural baggage.

Related Concepts:

• разделение (division)
• конфликт (conflict)
• мода (fashion, for декольте)