Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'cravat'

English Word: cravat

Key Russian Translations:

• галстук [ɡɐlʲˈstuk] - [Formal; refers to a necktie or cravat in modern contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in discussions about clothing and fashion, but not as frequent as everyday words like "house" or "eat")

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires basic knowledge of Russian nouns and declensions, suitable for learners with some vocabulary in clothing-related topics)

Pronunciation (Russian):

галстук: [ɡɐlʲˈstuk]

Note on галстук: The stress is on the second syllable ("stuk"). The "лʲ" represents a palatalized 'l' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers; it's softer than in English words like "love". Practice with native speakers for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A type of necktie or decorative cloth worn around the neck, often in formal attire.

Translation(s) & Context:

• галстук - Used in formal or professional contexts, such as business meetings or weddings, to describe a standard necktie equivalent to a cravat.

Usage Examples:

• Он надел галстук к своему костюму, чтобы выглядеть элегантно на свадьбе.

  He put on a cravat (or tie) with his suit to look elegant at the wedding.

• В исторических фильмах актёры часто носят галстук, имитирующий старый крават.

  In historical films, actors often wear a cravat that imitates an old-style cravat.

• Ей не нравится, когда муж забывает завязать галстук перед важной встречей.

  She doesn't like it when her husband forgets to tie his cravat before an important meeting.

• Галстук может быть частью униформы в некоторых офисах, но сейчас его носят реже.

  A cravat can be part of the uniform in some offices, but it's worn less frequently now.

• Дети иногда путают галстук с шарфом, особенно в холодную погоду.

  Children sometimes confuse a cravat with a scarf, especially in cold weather.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Галстук" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the second declension. It follows regular patterns for most cases but has no irregularities. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: As a inanimate masculine noun, it does not change in accusative singular. This regular pattern makes it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • крават (an older or more literary term for cravat, often used in historical contexts; less common in everyday speech)
  • шарф (in informal contexts, if referring to a scarf-like cravat, but with a looser meaning)
• Antonyms:
  • None directly, as "галстук" is a specific item; however, in fashion contexts, something casual like "футболка" (T-shirt) could be considered opposite in formality.

Related Phrases:

• Завязать галстук - To tie a cravat (used when preparing for formal events; literal meaning: "to tie the tie").
• Галстук-бабочка - Bow tie (a variation of cravat; often used in evening wear or parties).
• Выбрать галстук к костюму - To choose a cravat for a suit (common in shopping or fashion advice contexts).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "галстук" directly corresponds to the English "cravat" or "tie" in formal settings, but it's more commonly used for modern neckties. Be mindful of context: in everyday conversation, it's neutral and formal, but avoid it in casual slang. When choosing between translations like "галстук" vs. "крават", opt for "галстук" for contemporary usage. Grammatically, always decline it according to Russian cases, as shown in the inflections table, to ensure sentence accuracy.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "галстук" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я купил галстук" but incorrectly in other cases like "Я думаю о галстук" (wrong; should be "галстуке" in prepositional case).

  Correct: "Я думаю о галстуке." (Explanation: English learners often forget case endings, which can make sentences sound unnatural.)

• Error: Confusing "галстук" with "шарф" (scarf), leading to misuse in descriptions, e.g., "Это шарф" when meaning a cravat.

  Correct: "Это галстук." (Explanation: Differentiate based on function; a cravat is for formal neckwear, not warmth.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the cravat or "галстук" has historical ties to Western fashion influences, particularly from the 19th century when European styles became popular in Russia. It symbolizes formality and professionalism, often seen in business attire or during celebrations like New Year's Eve. However, in modern casual culture, especially among younger generations, wearing a cravat is less common, reflecting a shift towards relaxed dress codes.

Related Concepts:

• костюм (suit)
• рубашка (shirt)
• аксессуары (accessories)