Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'daub'

English Word: daub

Key Russian Translations:

• мазать [ˈma.zətʲ] - [Verb, Informal, Used for actions involving spreading or smearing]
• мазок [ˈma.zək] - [Noun, Neutral, Often in artistic or literal contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations are commonly used in everyday language, especially in contexts like painting, cleaning, or descriptions, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "to be" or "to have").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate for 'мазать' as it involves verb conjugations; A2 for 'мазок' as a straightforward noun, based on CEFR standards, suitable for learners with basic sentence-building skills).

Pronunciation (Russian):

мазать: [ˈma.zətʲ]

мазок: [ˈma.zək]

Note on мазать: The final 'тʲ' sound is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers; it softens the 't' as in "cute" but more pronounced. A common variation in fast speech might reduce to [ˈma.zət].

Note on мазок: The 'ок' ending is stressed, with a hard 'k' sound; ensure not to soften it as in some other Russian nouns.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

As a verb: To smear or spread something thickly (e.g., paint, mud).

Translation(s) & Context:

• мазать - Used in informal or everyday contexts, such as applying paint or substances carelessly.

Usage Examples:

• Он мажет краску на холст, не заботясь о деталях. (He daubs paint on the canvas, not caring about details.)

  Translation: He daubs paint on the canvas, not caring about details. (This example shows 'мазать' in an artistic context with imperfective aspect.)

• Дети мажут грязь на стены во время игры. (The children daub mud on the walls while playing.)

  Translation: The children daub mud on the walls while playing. (Illustrates informal, playful usage with plural subjects.)

• Не мажьте масло слишком толстым слоем. (Don't daub the oil on too thickly.)

  Translation: Don't daub the oil on too thickly. (Demonstrates imperative form in a practical, everyday scenario.)

• Она мажет крем на лицо каждое утро. (She daubs cream on her face every morning.)

  Translation: She daubs cream on her face every morning. (Shows habitual action in a personal care context.)

As a noun: A smear, blot, or crude painting.

Translation(s) & Context:

• мазок - Used for literal smears or in artistic criticism, implying something rough or unskilled.

Usage Examples:

• Этот мазок на картине выглядит неуклюжим. (This daub on the painting looks clumsy.)

  Translation: This daub on the painting looks clumsy. (Highlights 'мазок' in an art critique context.)

• Врачи берут мазок для анализа. (Doctors take a daub for analysis, e.g., a swab.)

  Translation: Doctors take a daub for analysis. (Shows a medical usage, demonstrating versatility.)

• Его работа — всего лишь мазок, а не настоящее искусство. (His work is just a daub, not real art.)

  Translation: His work is just a daub, not real art. (Emphasizes derogatory connotation in evaluative contexts.)

• Мазок грязи на окне испортил вид. (The daub of dirt on the window ruined the view.)

  Translation: The daub of dirt on the window ruined the view. (Illustrates literal, everyday usage.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'мазать' (verb, imperfective): This is a first-conjugation verb with regular patterns. It changes based on tense, person, and number. Below is a basic conjugation table:

For 'мазок' (noun, masculine, inanimate): This is a second-declension noun with regular inflections. It changes by case and number:

Note: 'Мазок' is invariant in gender and has no irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • намазывать (namazyvat') - Similar to 'мазать' but implies a more deliberate action; often used for spreading food.
  • размазывать (razmazyvat') - Emphasizes spreading out thinly, with a connotation of messiness.
• Antonyms:
  • снимать (snimat') - To remove or wipe off.
  • очищать (ochishchat') - To clean or purify.

Related Phrases:

• Нанести мазок - To apply a daub (e.g., in painting); used in artistic contexts to mean adding a quick stroke.
• Размазать краску - To daub paint everywhere; implies a sloppy application, often in informal descriptions.
• Мазок грязи - A daub of dirt; a common phrase for stains in everyday life.

Usage Notes:

'Мазать' directly corresponds to the verb form of 'daub' and is ideal for actions involving thick, imprecise application, but it's more casual in Russian than formal English equivalents. Use 'мазок' for the noun form when describing a blot or crude mark. Be mindful of context: in formal writing, opt for more precise synonyms like 'наносить' for artistic applications. For learners, choose 'мазать' over other options when the action is imperfective and ongoing. Grammar note: Always conjugate based on subject; e.g., avoid using the infinitive in sentences where a finite verb is needed.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'мазать' without proper conjugation, e.g., saying "Я мазать краску" instead of "Я мажу краску".
  Correct: "Я мажу краску" (I daub paint). Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with the subject in person and number; infinitive forms are for dictionaries or commands, not statements.
• Mistake: Confusing 'мазок' with 'мазать' in noun contexts, e.g., treating 'мазать' as a noun.
  Correct: Use 'мазок' for the noun; e.g., "Это мазок" not "Это мазать". Explanation: These are different parts of speech, and mixing them can lead to grammatical errors.
• Mistake: Overusing 'мазать' in formal contexts, where it sounds too casual.
  Correct: In formal settings, use 'наносить' (to apply). Explanation: Russian has register variations; 'мазать' is fine for everyday talk but not for professional or literary use.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'мазок' in art often carry a critical undertone, reflecting the influence of Soviet-era realism where precise technique was valued over expressionism. For instance, in discussions of folk art or children's drawings, 'дауб' equivalents might be dismissed lightly, highlighting a cultural appreciation for meticulousness in creative endeavors.

Related Concepts:

• краска (paint)
• грязь (dirt or mud)
• холст (canvas)