Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'drizzle'

English Word: drizzle

Key Russian Translations:

• морось [mɐˈrosʲ] - [Informal, Common in everyday weather descriptions]
• мелкий дождь [ˈmʲɛlkʲɪj ˈdoʐdʲ] - [Formal, Used in more precise or meteorological contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly encountered in weather-related discussions but not as ubiquitous as basic daily vocabulary.)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner level; straightforward for English learners with basic Russian exposure, as it involves simple noun forms and common weather terminology.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

морось: [mɐˈrosʲ]

мелкий дождь: [ˈmʲɛlkʲɪj ˈdoʐdʲ]

Note on морось: The stress is on the second syllable, and the 'р' sound is rolled, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may soften the 'с' to a 'sʲ' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Light rain falling in very fine drops, often persistent but not heavy.

Translation(s) & Context:

• морось - Typically used in casual conversations about weather, such as describing mild, drizzly conditions in urban or rural settings.
• мелкий дождь - Preferred in formal contexts like weather reports or scientific descriptions, emphasizing the light intensity of the rain.

Usage Examples:

• Сегодня на улице морось, и всё вокруг мокрое. (Today it's drizzling outside, and everything is wet.)

  Today it's drizzling outside, and everything is wet. (This example shows the word in a simple declarative sentence describing current weather.)

• Весной часто бывает мелкий дождь, который может продлиться часами. (In spring, there is often a drizzle that can last for hours.)

  In spring, there is often a drizzle that can last for hours. (This illustrates the word in a seasonal context, highlighting persistence.)

• Не берите зонтик, это всего лишь морось. (Don't take an umbrella; it's just a drizzle.)

  Don't take an umbrella; it's just a drizzle. (Here, it's used to downplay the intensity, in an advisory sentence.)

• Мелкий дождь в горах может быстро превратиться в туман. (A drizzle in the mountains can quickly turn into fog.)

  A drizzle in the mountains can quickly turn into fog. (This example demonstrates the word in a geographical or predictive context.)

• Дети любят играть в морось, но родители беспокоятся о простуде. (Children love playing in a drizzle, but parents worry about colds.)

  Children love playing in a drizzle, but parents worry about colds. (This shows the word in a social or familial scenario, with emotional nuance.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"морось" is a feminine noun (feminine singular in its base form) and follows the standard first declension pattern for Russian nouns. It is relatively regular but can vary by case and number. "мелкий дождь" is a phrase where "мелкий" is an adjective agreeing with "дождь" (a masculine noun).

Note: "морось" does not have irregular forms but is invariant in plural contexts. Always ensure adjective agreement in phrases like "мелкий дождь."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • дождик (A more affectionate or diminutive term, often used in casual speech for light rain.)
  • капель (Emphasizes the droplet aspect, suitable for poetic or descriptive contexts.)
• Antonyms:
  • ливень (Heavy downpour, implying intensity and volume.)
  • ураганный дождь (Stormy rain, used for severe weather.)

Related Phrases:

• Идёт морось (It's drizzling) - A common phrase for describing ongoing light rain in real-time weather updates.
• Мелкий дождь с ветром (Drizzle with wind) - Used to indicate accompanying conditions, often in forecasts.
• Промозглая морось (Damp drizzle) - Implies a chilling or unpleasant quality, common in literary descriptions.

Usage Notes:

While "drizzle" directly translates to "морось" or "мелкий дождь" in Russian, choose based on context: use "морось" for informal, everyday talk and "мелкий дождь" for formal or technical discussions. Russian weather vocabulary often integrates with verbs like "идёт" (it's going) to describe ongoing actions, e.g., "идёт морось." Be mindful of grammatical agreement; adjectives must match the noun's gender, number, and case. For English learners, note that Russian doesn't always distinguish drizzle from light rain as precisely, so context is key.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "морось" with heavier rain terms like "ливень" and using it for intense storms. Correct: Use "морось" only for fine, light rain. Example of error: "Снаружи ливень" when meaning drizzle. Correct usage: "Снаружи морось." Explanation: This mistake overemphasizes intensity, which can lead to miscommunication in weather descriptions.

• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement in phrases, e.g., saying "мелкая дождь" instead of "мелкий дождь." Correct: Always adjust the adjective to match the noun's gender (here, masculine). Explanation: Russian requires strict concordance, unlike English, so learners must practice declensions to avoid this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, weather like drizzle is often romanticized in literature and poetry, evoking melancholy or introspection, as seen in works by authors like Chekhov. However, in everyday life, it symbolizes the unpredictable Russian climate, leading to practical adaptations like carrying umbrellas year-round, reflecting a broader cultural resilience to frequent, mild rains.

Related Concepts:

• дождь (rain)
• снег (snow)
• туман (fog)
• ураган (hurricane)