Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'doorway'

English Word: doorway

Key Russian Translations:

• дверной проем [dvernoj proem] - [Formal, Architectural context]
• вход [vhod] - [Informal, General entrance]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday and descriptive language, but not as frequent as basic nouns like "door").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun cases and compound words, but not overly complex for learners at this level).

Pronunciation (Russian):

дверной проем: [dvernoj proem] (/ˈdvʲernəj ˈproʲɛm/)

вход: [vhod] (/ˈv x ɐt/)

Note on дверной проем: The stress is on the first syllable of each word; be careful with the soft sign (ь) in "дверной," which affects the pronunciation of the preceding consonant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

An opening or entrance into a place, especially a building

Translation(s) & Context:

• дверной проем - Used in formal or architectural descriptions, such as in literature or technical discussions about buildings.
• вход - Applied in everyday contexts for general entrances, like to a room or event.

Usage Examples:

• Он стоял в дверном проеме, наблюдая за улицей.

  He stood in the doorway, watching the street.

• Дверной проем дома был украшен резными узорами.

  The doorway of the house was decorated with carved patterns.

• Через вход в здание можно было увидеть сад.

  Through the entrance to the building, one could see the garden.

• Вход в музей был обозначен большим дверным проемом.

  The entrance to the museum was marked by a large doorway.

• Она замерла в дверном проеме, не решаясь войти.

  She froze in the doorway, hesitant to enter.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Дверной проем" is a noun phrase where "дверной" is an adjective and "проем" is a masculine noun. "Вход" is also a masculine noun. Russian nouns and adjectives inflect based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table for key inflections:

Note: "Дверной" agrees in case, number, and gender with "проем." These are regular inflections for masculine nouns and adjectives.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вход (similar to "entrance")
  • проход (more general, implying a passage)
• Antonyms:
  • выход (exit; often used in opposition to "вход")

Explanation: "Вход" and "проход" can be synonyms but "проход" implies a longer path, while "выход" directly contrasts as the opposite direction.

Related Phrases:

• у дверного проема - Near the doorway; used to describe proximity in spatial contexts.
• вход в здание - Entrance to the building; a common phrase for accessing structures.
• закрыть вход - To close the entrance; implies securing an area.

Usage Notes:

"Дверной проем" is a more precise translation for "doorway" in formal or architectural English, emphasizing the physical opening rather than just a door. In contrast, "вход" is broader and often used for any type of entry point. Choose "дверной проем" for contexts involving buildings or design, and "вход" for everyday situations. Be mindful of Russian case endings, as they change based on the sentence structure (e.g., use genitive after prepositions like "у"). This vocabulary is neutral in terms of register but can sound more literary in formal writing.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "дверной проем" with "дверь" (door): Learners might say "Он стоял в двери" instead of "Он стоял в дверном проеме," which implies standing inside the door itself rather than the opening. Correct usage: Use "дверном проеме" for the space. Explanation: "Дверь" refers to the physical door, not the doorway.

• Overusing "вход" in architectural contexts: Non-native speakers might default to "вход" everywhere, but it's less specific. For example, saying "Архитектор спроектировал вход" when "дверной проем" is more accurate for a building's design. Correct: Specify based on context to avoid vagueness.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, doorways (дверные проемы) often hold symbolic meaning in literature and folklore, representing transitions or thresholds between worlds, as seen in classic works like those of Pushkin. This reflects a broader Slavic tradition where entrances are associated with hospitality or omens.

Related Concepts:

• дверь (door)
• коридор (corridor)
• лестница (staircase)