Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'curl'

English Word: curl

Key Russian Translations:

• завиток [zɐˈvʲitək] - [Singular, Neutral]
• локон [ˈlokən] - [Singular, Often used for hair]
• завивать [zɐˈvʲivətʲ] - [Verb, Imperfective, To curl]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate, depending on context and word form)

Pronunciation (Russian):

завиток: [zɐˈvʲitək]

Note on завиток: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'з' is voiced like 'z' in 'zebra'.

локон: [ˈlokən]

Note on локон: Stress on the first syllable. The 'о' sounds like 'o' in 'core'.

завивать: [zɐˈvʲivətʲ]

Note on завивать: Stress on the second syllable. Soft 'в' sound due to palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Curl as a noun (a spiral or loop, often of hair)

Translation(s) & Context:

• завиток - Used for a small spiral or curl, often in a general or abstract sense (e.g., a curl of smoke).
• локон - Specifically refers to a curl or lock of hair, more poetic or romantic in tone.

Usage Examples:

• На картине был изображен завиток дыма.

  A curl of smoke was depicted in the painting.

• Ее волосы падали локонами на плечи.

  Her hair fell in curls over her shoulders.

• Завиток на бумаге выглядел как украшение.

  The curl on the paper looked like a decoration.

2. Curl as a verb (to form into a spiral or loop)

Translation(s) & Context:

• завивать - Used as a verb meaning 'to curl' or 'to wind', often for hair or objects.

Usage Examples:

• Она любит завивать волосы каждое утро.

  She loves to curl her hair every morning.

• Ветер завивал листья в маленькие спирали.

  The wind curled the leaves into small spirals.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

завиток (Noun, Masculine):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	завиток	завитки
Genitive	завитка	завитков
Dative	завитку	завиткам
Accusative	завиток	завитки
Instrumental	завитком	завитками
Prepositional	о завитке	о завитках

локон (Noun, Masculine): Follows similar declension patterns to завиток.

завивать (Verb, Imperfective): Conjugates regularly in the present, past, and future tenses.

Person	Present Tense
I	завиваю
You (singular)	завиваешь
He/She/It	завивает
We	завиваем
You (plural)	завиваете
They	завивают

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for завиток:

• спираль
• завихрение

Note: 'спираль' is more technical, while 'завихрение' often implies a whirl or twist.

Synonyms for локон:

• прядь

Antonyms for завиток/локон:

• прямой (straight)

Related Phrases:

• завивать волосы - To curl hair (commonly used in beauty contexts).
• локон ангела - A curl of an angel (a poetic expression for beautiful hair).
• завиток судьбы - A curl of fate (a metaphorical expression for twists in life).

Usage Notes:

• 'завиток' is more versatile and can refer to curls in various contexts (hair, smoke, paper), while 'локон' is almost exclusively used for hair and carries a poetic or romantic tone.
• The verb 'завивать' is imperfective and often implies an ongoing or repeated action. For a one-time action, use its perfective counterpart 'завить'.
• Be mindful of the context when choosing between 'завиток' and 'локон', as using 'локон' for non-hair contexts would sound odd or overly literary.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'локон' to describe a curl of smoke or paper.
  Incorrect: Завиток дыма как локон.
  Correct: Завиток дыма как спираль.
  Explanation: 'локон' is specific to hair and sounds unnatural in other contexts.
• Error: Confusing 'завивать' (imperfective) with 'завить' (perfective).
  Incorrect: Я завить волосы вчера.
  Correct: Я завила волосы вчера.
  Explanation: Use the perfective form for completed past actions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'локон' often appears in literature and poetry, evoking images of beauty and romance, especially in descriptions of women’s hair. It’s less common in everyday speech, where 'завиток' or simply 'кудри' (curls, plural) might be used instead.

Related Concepts:

• кудри (curls, plural)
• волосы (hair)
• спираль (spiral)