Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'diva'

English Word: diva

Key Russian Translations:

• дива (/ˈdʲivə/) - [Informal, Used in modern contexts, often borrowed from English]
• примадонна (/prʲɪməˈdonə/) - [Formal, Used in theatrical or opera settings]

Frequency: Medium (This word is not extremely common in everyday Russian but appears in cultural, artistic, or entertainment discussions.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can grasp it with basic vocabulary knowledge, but the nuances require context familiarity. For 'примадонна', it may be B2 due to its formal usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

дива: /ˈdʲivə/

Note on дива: The initial 'д' is soft (/dʲ/), which can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the 'd' in 'dew'. Pronounce with stress on the first syllable.

Audio: []

примадонна: /prʲɪməˈdonə/

Note on примадонна: Stress falls on the third syllable; the 'р' is rolled, and 'д' is soft, common in loanwords from Italian via Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A highly talented but temperamental female singer or performer, often with a connotation of diva-like behavior.

Translation(s) & Context:

• дива - Used in informal contexts like pop culture or media, referring to a celebrity with dramatic flair.
• примадонна - Applied in formal settings such as opera or theater, emphasizing professional status and potential egotism.

Usage Examples:

• Она настоящая дива на сцене, всегда в центре внимания.

  She is a real diva on stage, always the center of attention.

• В оперном театре примадонна требует особого освещения для своего выступления.

  In the opera theater, the prima donna demands special lighting for her performance.

• Эта певица – дива современного рока, но её капризы раздражают команду.

  This singer is a diva of modern rock, but her whims irritate the team.

• Примадонна оркестра отказалась выступать без идеальных условий.

  The orchestra's prima donna refused to perform without perfect conditions.

• Молодая актриса стремится стать дива Hollywood, но в России её называют просто звездой.

  The young actress strives to become a Hollywood diva, but in Russia, she's just called a star.

Secondary Meaning: A woman who is exceptionally talented in any field but difficult to work with.

Translation(s) & Context:

• дива - In everyday informal speech, to describe a demanding professional in non-artistic fields.

Usage Examples:

• В офисе она – дива, всегда диктует свои правила.

  In the office, she is a diva, always dictating her own rules.

• Эта дива в бизнесе требует только лучшие контракты.

  This diva in business demands only the best contracts.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'дива' and 'примадонна' are feminine nouns in Russian. 'Дива' follows standard first-declension patterns for feminine nouns ending in -a, while 'примадонна' is less inflected as a loanword but still follows basic rules.

Note: 'Примадонна' has irregular inflections due to its foreign origin but is invariant in some contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • звезда (star) - Often used interchangeably but implies broader fame.
  • королева (queen) - Emphasizes dominance in a field, with a positive connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • неизвестный (unknown) - Refers to someone without recognition.
  • скромный (modest) - Highlights the opposite of diva-like behavior.

Related Phrases:

• Опера дива - A diva of the opera; refers to a leading female singer in opera productions.
• Примадонна сцены - Prima donna of the stage; used for a demanding theater performer.
• Дива шоу-бизнеса - Diva of show business; common in media contexts for celebrities.

Usage Notes:

'Дива' is a direct borrowing from English and is often used in informal Russian to mirror the English concept, especially in pop culture. 'Примадонна' has a more traditional, Italian-derived meaning and is preferred in formal or artistic settings. English speakers should note that Russian lacks a perfect one-to-one equivalent, so context dictates choice—use 'дива' for modern, casual references and 'примадонна' for historical or theatrical ones. Be mindful of gender agreement, as both are feminine nouns requiring feminine adjectives (e.g., "великая дива" for "great diva").

• In sentences, always adjust for case; for example, in genitive constructions like "вокруг дивы" (around the diva).
• When multiple translations exist, select based on register: informal for everyday talk, formal for professional critiques.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse the genitive case, saying "of дива" instead of "дивы". For example:

• Incorrect: Я фанат дива. (This omits case agreement; it should be genitive in some contexts.)
• Correct: Я фанат дивы. (Proper genitive form.)
• Explanation: Russian requires case changes based on sentence structure, unlike English, so always check the noun's role.

Another error is confusing 'дива' with 'diva' in pronunciation, leading to over-emphasis on the wrong syllable.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'примадонна' evokes images of iconic figures like those in the Bolshoi Theater, drawing from 19th-century opera traditions. It often carries a mix of admiration and criticism, reflecting historical gender dynamics in the arts. 'Дива', as a modern loanword, highlights contemporary celebrity culture influenced by Western media, showing Russia's integration of global pop trends.

Related Concepts:

• актриса (actress)
• певец (singer)
• звезда экрана (screen star)