Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'daylight'

English Word: daylight

Key Russian Translations:

• дневной свет [dnʲɪvˈnoj svʲet] - [Formal, Literal]
• день [dʲenʲ] - [Informal, Often used metaphorically or in context]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "день", Intermediate for "дневной свет")

Pronunciation (Russian):

дневной свет: [dnʲɪvˈnoj svʲet]

Note on дневной свет: Stress falls on the second syllable of "дневной" and the first syllable of "свет". The "в" is soft due to the following "н".

день: [dʲenʲ]

Note on день: A short, simple word with a soft "д" sound due to the palatalized consonant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Natural light during the day

Translation(s) & Context:

• дневной свет - Used literally to refer to natural light from the sun during daytime.

Usage Examples:

• В комнате много дневного света.

  There is a lot of daylight in the room.

• Дневной свет помогает экономить электроэнергию.

  Daylight helps save electricity.

• Мне нравится работать при дневном свете.

  I like working in daylight.

2. Daytime or the concept of day

Translation(s) & Context:

• день - Often used to refer to the daytime period or metaphorically for "day".

Usage Examples:

• Мы встретимся при свете дня.

  We will meet in broad daylight.

• День был ясным и солнечным.

  The day was clear and sunny.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

дневной свет (noun phrase, masculine):

"Дневной" is an adjective modifying "свет" (light). Both components decline based on case and number.

день (noun, masculine):

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for дневной свет:

• естественное освещение
• солнечный свет

Note: "естественное освещение" is more formal, often used in technical contexts, while "солнечный свет" emphasizes sunlight specifically.

Antonyms for дневной свет:

• темнота
• ночь

Related Phrases:

• при свете дня - "in broad daylight" (used for emphasizing visibility or openness of an action)
• дневной свет лампы - "daylight lamp" (refers to artificial light mimicking natural daylight)
• на закате дня - "at the end of the day" (often metaphorical, using "день")

Usage Notes:

• "Дневной свет" is the direct and literal translation for "daylight" when referring to natural light. It is more formal and specific than "день".
• "День" can mean both "day" and imply "daylight" in certain contexts, especially in idiomatic expressions like "при свете дня" (in broad daylight).
• Use "дневной свет" in technical or descriptive contexts (e.g., architecture, photography), and "день" in casual or metaphorical speech.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "день" when "дневной свет" is more appropriate. For example, saying "В комнате много дня" instead of "В комнате много дневного света".

  Explanation: "День" refers to the concept of day, not the physical light. Use "дневной свет" for literal daylight.

• Error: Mispronouncing "дневной" by stressing the first syllable.

  Correct: Stress on the second syllable [dnʲɪvˈnoj].

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "день" carries significant metaphorical weight, often symbolizing life, clarity, or opportunity, as seen in expressions like "день за днём" (day by day). The concept of daylight is also tied to long summer days in northern regions, where "белые ночи" (white nights) blur the line between day and night.

Related Concepts:

• солнце (sun)
• утро (morning)
• освещение (lighting)