Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Complexion'

English Word: Complexion

Key Russian Translations:

• цвет лица [tsvet litsa] - [Neutral, Common]
• кожа [kozha] - [Neutral, Often refers to skin in general]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

цвет лица: [tsvet litsa]

Note on цвет лица: Stress falls on the first syllable of "цвет" and second syllable of "лица".

кожа: [kozha]

Note on кожа: Stress on the first syllable; the "zh" sound is like the 's' in "measure".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Skin Tone or Appearance of the Face (Primary Meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• цвет лица - Used specifically to describe the tone or appearance of someone's face.

Usage Examples:

• У неё очень светлый цвет лица.

  She has a very fair complexion.

• После отпуска его цвет лица стал темнее.

  After the vacation, his complexion became darker.

• Цвет лица может многое рассказать о здоровье.

  Complexion can reveal a lot about one's health.

2. Skin in General (Secondary Meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• кожа - Refers to skin broadly, sometimes implying complexion when used in specific contexts.

Usage Examples:

• У неё гладкая кожа без единого изъяна.

  She has smooth skin without a single flaw.

• Солнце сильно повлияло на её кожу.

  The sun greatly affected her complexion/skin.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

цвет лица (Phrase consisting of two nouns):

This is a fixed phrase, but its components can inflect based on grammatical case and number.

Case	Singular (цвет лица)
Nominative	цвет лица
Genitive	цвета лица
Dative	цвету лица
Accusative	цвет лица
Instrumental	цветом лица
Prepositional	о цвете лица

кожа (Noun, Feminine):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	кожа	кожи
Genitive	кожи	кож
Dative	коже	кожам
Accusative	кожу	кожи
Instrumental	кожей	кожами
Prepositional	о коже	о кожах

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for цвет лица:

• тон кожи (skin tone)

Note: "тон кожи" is often interchangeable but can refer more broadly to skin tone beyond the face.

Antonyms for цвет лица:

• No direct antonyms, as it is a descriptive term.

Synonyms for кожа:

• покров (covering, less common)

Related Phrases:

• бледный цвет лица - Pale complexion.
• здоровый цвет лица - Healthy complexion.
• уход за кожей - Skin care (related to кожа).

Usage Notes:

• "цвет лица" is the more precise translation for "complexion" when referring to the face's appearance or skin tone. It is a compound phrase and often used in health or beauty contexts.
• "кожа" is broader and can refer to skin in general. Use it only when the context is not strictly about facial appearance.
• Both terms are neutral in register and can be used in formal or informal settings.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "кожа" to exclusively mean "complexion" in facial contexts.
  Incorrect: У неё красивая кожа (intended as "She has a beautiful complexion").
  Correct: У неё красивый цвет лица.
  Explanation: "кожа" might imply skin on the body, not necessarily the face. Use "цвет лица" for clarity when discussing facial complexion.
• Error: Incorrect case usage with "цвет лица".
  Incorrect: Я заметил цвет лицо.
  Correct: Я заметил цвет лица.
  Explanation: Ensure proper agreement in case between "цвет" and "лица".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, commenting on someone's "цвет лица" (complexion) can be a way to assess health or well-being, as it is often associated with vitality. A pale complexion might prompt concern, while a rosy one is seen as a sign of good health.

Related Concepts:

• красота (beauty)
• здоровье (health)
• тон кожи (skin tone)