Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'diaphanous'

English Word: diaphanous

Key Russian Translations:

• прозрачный [prɐˈzraʧnɨj] - [Adjective, Formal, used for completely transparent materials]
• полупрозрачный [pəlʊˈprɐzraʧnɨj] - [Adjective, Formal, used for semi-transparent or translucent materials]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in literature, fashion, and descriptive contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections and precise descriptive language in Russian, though the core vocabulary is accessible to upper-intermediate learners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

прозрачный: [prɐˈzraʧnɨj]

полупрозрачный: [pəlʊˈprɐzraʧnɨj]

Note on прозрачный: The 'ч' sound (as in 'church') can be tricky for English speakers; emphasize the stressed syllable 'zra' for natural flow.

Note on полупрозрачный: This is a compound word; pronounce it as two parts for clarity, with stress on the second syllable of each component.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Transparent or translucent, especially referring to fabrics, materials, or light-passing qualities

Translation(s) & Context:

• прозрачный - Used in formal or descriptive contexts for materials that allow light to pass through completely, such as glass or sheer fabrics.
• полупрозрачный - Applied to semi-transparent items like curtains or veils, where light passes but objects are not fully visible.

Usage Examples:

• Ее платье было прозрачным, и оно идеально подходило для летнего вечера.

  Her dress was diaphanous, and it was perfect for a summer evening.

• Полупрозрачный шарф мягко рассеивал свет в комнате.

  The diaphanous scarf gently diffused the light in the room.

• Художник использовал прозрачный материал, чтобы создать эффект невесомости.

  The artist used diaphanous material to create an effect of weightlessness.

• Окна в старом доме были покрыты полупрозрачной пленкой для защиты от солнца.

  The windows in the old house were covered with diaphanous film for sun protection.

• В музее выставлена прозрачная ткань, напоминающая о древних традициях.

  In the museum, there is a diaphanous fabric on display, reminiscent of ancient traditions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "прозрачный" and "полупрозрачный" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow standard patterns for most cases, with no irregularities here. Below is a table outlining the inflections for "прозрачный" (the pattern is identical for "полупрозрачный").

Note: These adjectives do not change in short form or have special verbal aspects, as they are not verbs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • тонкий (tonkiy) - More general, meaning 'thin'; often used interchangeably in fabric contexts but lacks the transparency emphasis.
  • невесомый (nevesomyy) - Implies 'weightless' or 'ethereal', suitable for poetic descriptions but less precise for literal transparency.
• Antonyms:
  • непрозрачный (neprozrachnyy) - Directly opposite, meaning 'opaque' or 'non-transparent'.
  • плотный (plotnyy) - Means 'dense' or 'thick', often used for materials that block light.

Related Phrases:

• Прозрачный материал - A diaphanous material; used in contexts like fashion or architecture to describe see-through fabrics.
• Полупрозрачная занавеска - A diaphanous curtain; common in home decor for privacy with light diffusion.
• Прозрачный воздух - Diaphanous air; metaphorical for clear, unpolluted atmosphere, often in literary descriptions.

Usage Notes:

"Прозрачный" is the most direct equivalent to "diaphanous" when emphasizing full transparency, while "полупрозрачный" is better for semi-translucent scenarios. In Russian, these adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key grammatical difference from English. For formal writing or fashion discussions, "прозрачный" is preferred, but in everyday speech, simpler synonyms like "тонкий" might be used. When choosing between translations, opt for "полупрозрачный" if the material partially obscures vision. Be cautious with poetic contexts, where these words can evoke sensory imagery similar to English.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "прозрачный" for fully opaque objects, thinking it means "clear" in a non-visual sense. Correct: Reserve it for visual transparency; for example, instead of saying "прозрачный план" (incorrect for an unclear plan), use "ясный план". Example of error: "Мой план прозрачный" (implies the plan is see-through, which is wrong); Correct: "Мой план неясный" with proper context.

• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "прозрачная дом" instead of "прозрачный дом" for a masculine noun. Correct: Always match the adjective to the noun's gender and case, as in "прозрачный дом" (nominative masculine).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "прозрачный" often appear in literature and art to symbolize purity, fragility, or ephemerality, as seen in works by poets like Pushkin. For instance, in fashion and theater, diaphanous materials are associated with elegance and mystery, reflecting historical influences from European styles during the Imperial era.

Related Concepts:

• ткань (fabric)
• светопрозрачный (light-permeable)
• невесомость (weightlessness)