Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'clinquant'

English Word: clinquant

Key Russian Translations:

• Блестящий /blʲɪˈstʲaʂɨj/ - [Adjective, Formal, Often implies gaudy or excessive shine]
• Искрящийся /ɪˈskrʲaʂɨj/ - [Adjective, Informal, Used for sparkling objects with a lighter connotation]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation, more prevalent in literary or descriptive contexts)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1) for Блестящий; Advanced (C1) for nuanced use of Искрящийся, as it requires understanding contextual implications

Pronunciation (Russian):

Блестящий: /blʲɪˈstʲaʂɨj/

Искрящийся: /ɪˈskrʲaʂɨj/

Note on Блестящий: The stress falls on the second syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. This word may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Note on Искрящийся: Pronunciation can soften in informal settings, with the 'р' sometimes rolled less prominently.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Sparkling or showy in a gaudy, superficial way (e.g., describing something that appears flashy but lacks substance)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Блестящий - Typically used in formal or literary contexts to describe overly ornate objects, such as jewelry or decor, emphasizing artificial glamour.
• Искрящийся - Applied in informal settings for things that sparkle playfully, like fireworks, but can imply excess if overused.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Её платье было таким блестящим, что оно отвлекало от её настоящей красоты.

  English: Her dress was so clinquant that it distracted from her real beauty.

• Русский пример: В витрине магазина искрились дешёвые украшения, привлекающие внимание прохожих.

  English: In the shop window, cheap clinquant jewelry sparkled, catching the passersby's eye.

• Русский пример: Этот блестящий декор на вечеринке выглядел слишком кричащим для скромного события.

  English: This clinquant decor at the party looked too ostentatious for a modest event.

• Русский пример: Дети любят искрящиеся игрушки, но они быстро надоедают из-за своей дешевизны.

  English: Children love clinquant toys, but they quickly tire of them due to their cheapness.

• Русский пример: В старом фильме актриса носила блестящие аксессуары, подчёркивая эпоху роскоши.

  English: In the old film, the actress wore clinquant accessories, highlighting an era of opulence.

Meaning 2: Figuratively, something pretentious or overly embellished (e.g., in language or behavior)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Блестящий - In metaphorical contexts, such as describing speech or style, to indicate superficial brilliance.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Его речь была блестящей, но лишённой глубины.

  English: His speech was clinquant but lacking in depth.

• Русский пример: Блестящий фасад дома скрывал его ветхость внутри.

  English: The clinquant facade of the house hid its decay inside.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Блестящий follows regular adjectival patterns, while Искрящийся is also regular but can vary in poetic or archaic use.

Note: These adjectives do not change irregularly, but always agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Искрящийся (more playful), Ослепительный (blindingly bright), Блистательный (dazzling, with a positive connotation) - Note: Ослепительный often implies overwhelming light, while Блистательный is less gaudy.
• Antonyms: Тусклый (dull), Скучный (boring) - These highlight the lack of shine or excitement.

Related Phrases:

• Блестящий наряд - A showy outfit; often used to describe overly flashy clothing in social events.
• Искрящийся снег - Sparkling snow; a poetic phrase for snow that glitters in sunlight, implying natural beauty versus artificial clinquant.
• Блестящий фасад - Clinquant facade; metaphorically refers to something that appears impressive on the surface but is shallow.

Usage Notes:

The English word 'clinquant' corresponds most closely to Блестящий in Russian when emphasizing gaudiness, but choose Искрящийся for lighter, more positive contexts. Be mindful of formal vs. informal settings: Блестящий is better for written or literary use, while Искрящийся suits casual speech. Grammatically, these adjectives must agree with the nouns they describe, which is a key difference from English. When translating, consider the connotation—'clinquant' often carries negativity, so pair it with Блестящий to convey superficiality.

• Avoid overusing in everyday conversation, as it may sound archaic or pretentious.
• In comparative structures, use forms like "более блестящий" for "more clinquant."

Common Errors:

One common mistake is confusing Блестящий with simply meaning 'shiny' (like 'bright'), leading learners to overuse it for any reflective object. For example:

• Incorrect: "Солнце блестящее" (implying the sun is gaudy, which is inaccurate).
• Correct: "Солнце яркое" (The sun is bright). Use Блестящий only for artificial or excessive shine, as in "Блестящие украшения" for clinquant jewelry.
• Another error: Forgetting gender agreement, e.g., saying "блестящий машина" instead of "блестящая машина" for a feminine noun like 'machine'.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like Блестящий often appear in literature (e.g., in works by Pushkin or Tolstoy) to critique superficiality or the excesses of the aristocracy. They can evoke themes of facade versus reality, reflecting historical contexts like the opulence of imperial Russia, helping users understand the word's deeper social commentary.

Related Concepts:

• Искусство
• Мода
• Роскошь