Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cream'

English Word: Cream

Key Russian Translations:

• сливки [ˈslʲivkʲi] - [Plural, Common for dairy cream]
• крем [krʲem] - [Singular, Often used for cosmetic or dessert cream]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сливки: [ˈslʲivkʲi]

Note on сливки: Stress falls on the first syllable. The 'и' is pronounced as a soft 'i' sound.

крем: [krʲem]

Note on крем: The 'е' is pronounced as 'ye' with a soft 'r' sound preceding it.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Dairy Cream (for cooking or coffee)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сливки - Refers to the dairy product, often used in recipes or as a coffee additive.

Usage Examples:

• Я добавлю сливки в кофе.

  I will add cream to the coffee.

• Сливки идеально подходят для супа.

  Cream is perfect for the soup.

• Купи сливки для десерта.

  Buy cream for the dessert.

2. Cosmetic Cream or Dessert Cream

Translation(s) & Context:

• крем - Used for skincare products or creamy dessert fillings.

Usage Examples:

• Этот крем увлажняет кожу.

  This cream moisturizes the skin.

• Торт с шоколадным кремом очень вкусный.

  The cake with chocolate cream is very tasty.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

сливки (Plural Noun): This word is inherently plural in Russian and does not have a singular form in standard usage. It follows the standard declension for plural feminine nouns.

крем (Singular Noun, Masculine): Follows standard masculine noun declension.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for сливки:

• молочный жир (rare, technical term for dairy fat)

Synonyms for крем:

• мазь (for medicinal creams, slightly different context)

Antonyms: None directly applicable for either term in common usage.

Related Phrases:

• взбитые сливки - Whipped cream, often used in desserts.
• крем для рук - Hand cream, a common cosmetic product.
• сливки общества - "Cream of society," an idiom meaning the elite or best part of a group.

Usage Notes:

• "сливки" is strictly used for dairy cream and is always plural. It cannot be used for cosmetic or dessert contexts.
• "крем" is versatile, covering both cosmetic creams and creamy dessert fillings, but not dairy cream for cooking.
• Be mindful of the context when choosing between these translations, as they are not interchangeable.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "крем" for dairy cream in cooking contexts. Incorrect: "Добавь крем в суп." Correct: "Добавь сливки в суп." (Add cream to the soup.) Explanation: "крем" implies a cosmetic or dessert cream, not a cooking ingredient.
• Error: Treating "сливки" as singular. Incorrect: "Одна сливка." Correct: Use it as plural, e.g., "сливки." Explanation: This word has no singular form in standard Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "сливки" often carry a metaphorical meaning in the phrase "сливки общества," referring to the elite or the best of society. Additionally, dairy cream is a staple in traditional Russian cuisine, especially in soups and desserts.

Related Concepts:

• молоко (milk)
• масло (butter)
• сметана (sour cream)