Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dark'

English Word: dark

Key Russian Translations:

• тёмный [ˈtʲɵmnɨj] - [Adjective, General Use]
• темно [tʲɪmˈno] - [Adverb, Often Used for Darkness Level]
• мрачный [ˈmraʧnɨj] - [Adjective, Figurative/Dreary Context]

Frequency: High (especially for 'тёмный' and 'темно')

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for 'тёмный' and 'темно'); B1 (Intermediate for 'мрачный')

Pronunciation (Russian):

тёмный: [ˈtʲɵmnɨj]

Note on тёмный: Stress falls on the first syllable. The 'ё' is always stressed and pronounced as 'yo'.

темно: [tʲɪmˈno]

Note on темно: Stress on the second syllable. Often used as a predicate or adverb.

мрачный: [ˈmraʧnɨj]

Note on мрачный: Stress on the first syllable. The 'ч' is pronounced as 'ch' in 'church'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Literal Darkness (Absence of Light)

Translation(s) & Context:

• тёмный - Used for objects or places lacking light (e.g., a dark room).
• темно - Used as an adverb or predicative to describe the state of darkness (e.g., it is dark outside).

Usage Examples:

• Комната была тёмной, и я включил свет.

  The room was dark, so I turned on the light.

• На улице уже темно, пора домой.

  It's already dark outside, time to go home.

• Тёмные шторы не пропускают свет.

  Dark curtains don't let light through.

2. Figurative Darkness (Gloomy, Sad, or Mysterious)

Translation(s) & Context:

• мрачный - Used for mood, atmosphere, or personality (e.g., a dark story or person).

Usage Examples:

• Это был мрачный день, полный плохих новостей.

  It was a dark day, full of bad news.

• У него мрачный взгляд, словно он что-то скрывает.

  He has a dark look, as if he's hiding something.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

тёмный (Adjective): Declines by gender, number, and case as a typical Russian adjective.

Case	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Plural
Nominative	тёмный	тёмная	тёмное	тёмные
Genitive	тёмного	тёмной	тёмного	тёмных

темно (Adverb/Predicative): Does not decline; used as is in all contexts.

мрачный (Adjective): Follows similar declension patterns to 'тёмный'.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for тёмный:

• чёрный (black, often overlapping in meaning)
• неосвещённый (unlit, for physical spaces)

Synonyms for мрачный:

• угрюмый (gloomy, sullen, often for people)
• хмурый (overcast, moody)

Antonyms:

• светлый (light, bright)
• ясный (clear, bright)

Related Phrases:

• тёмная ночь (dark night) - Refers to a night with little to no light.
• тёмная сторона (dark side) - Often used metaphorically, as in personality or morality.
• мрачные мысли (dark thoughts) - Refers to depressing or negative thoughts.

Usage Notes:

• 'тёмный' is the most common and neutral term for describing literal darkness or dark colors. Use it for physical objects or spaces.
• 'темно' functions as an adverb or predicative and is used to describe a general state of darkness, often without a direct object.
• 'мрачный' carries a figurative or emotional connotation, often used for moods, weather, or narratives. Avoid using it for literal darkness unless contextually appropriate.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'мрачный' for literal darkness (e.g., a dark room). Wrong: Комната мрачная. Correct: Комната тёмная. Explanation: 'мрачный' implies a gloomy or depressing atmosphere, not just lack of light.
• Error: Using 'темно' as an adjective. Wrong: Это темно место. Correct: Это тёмное место. Explanation: 'темно' is not an adjective and cannot modify a noun.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, darkness (both literal and figurative) often carries symbolic weight in literature and folklore. 'мрачный' is frequently used in classic Russian literature to describe tragic or melancholic themes, reflecting the cultural emphasis on deep emotional expression.

Related Concepts:

• ночь (night)
• тьма (darkness, obscurity)
• грусть (sadness)