Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'embroider'

English Word: embroider

Key Russian Translations:

• вышивать [vɨˈʂɨvətʲ] - [Formal, commonly used in contexts involving crafts or sewing]

Frequency: Low (This verb is not frequently used in everyday conversation but appears in discussions about arts, crafts, or traditional activities.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1) - Involves understanding basic verb conjugations and the 'ш' sound, which may be challenging for beginners but manageable with practice.

Pronunciation (Russian):

вышивать: [vɨˈʂɨvətʲ]

Note on вышивать: The 'ш' sound is similar to the 'sh' in English "she", but it can be softer in rapid speech. Pay attention to the stress on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To decorate fabric or material with needlework, often using thread and patterns.

Translation(s) & Context:

• вышивать - Used in formal or creative contexts, such as describing hobbies, traditional crafts, or professional sewing. It implies a deliberate and artistic process.

Usage Examples:

• Она вышивает красивые узоры на полотне, используя разноцветные нити.

  She embroiders beautiful patterns on the fabric, using colorful threads. (This example shows the verb in a simple present tense context, highlighting a personal hobby.)

• В деревне женщины часто вышивают народные мотивы на одежде для праздников.

  In the village, women often embroider folk motifs on clothing for holidays. (This illustrates cultural usage in a plural or community setting.)

• Он учит детей вышивать простые фигуры в школьном кружке.

  He teaches children to embroider simple shapes in the school club. (This demonstrates the verb in an educational context with infinitive forms.)

• Вышивать такие детали требует терпения и точности, как в профессиональной мастерской.

  Embroidering such details requires patience and precision, as in a professional workshop. (This example uses the infinitive in a general statement about the process.)

• После урока, студенты начали вышивать собственные дизайны на холсте.

  After the lesson, the students began embroidering their own designs on canvas. (This shows the verb in a past tense context, emphasizing progression.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Вышивать" is a first-conjugation verb in Russian, which means it follows regular patterns for imperfective aspects. It is an imperfective verb, indicating ongoing or repeated actions. Below is a table outlining its key inflections for present tense (as an example; full conjugation includes past, future, and imperative forms).

Note: The verb has regular endings, but the stem "вышив-" may require attention to vowel harmony. For perfective aspect, use "вышить" (to have embroidered), which changes inflections accordingly.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • шить (shit') - More general, meaning "to sew," but less specific to decorative embroidery.
  • орнаментировать (ornamentirovat') - Focuses on ornamentation, often used in artistic contexts with slight differences in connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • разрывать (razryvat') - To tear or rip, implying destruction rather than creation.
  • снимать (snimat') - To remove or undo, as in unraveling stitches.

Related Phrases:

• Вышивать крестиком - Cross-stitch embroidery (A popular technique in Russian folk art, often used for decorative items.)
• Вышивать по канве - To embroider on canvas (Refers to working on a specific base material, common in beginner projects.)
• Народная вышивка - Folk embroidery (A phrase denoting traditional Russian styles with cultural significance.)

Usage Notes:

"Вышивать" directly corresponds to "embroider" in English, emphasizing the decorative aspect rather than general sewing. It is typically used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as arts and crafts. Be mindful of the imperfective aspect, which suits ongoing actions; for completed actions, pair it with "вышить." When choosing between translations, use "вышивать" for hobbies or traditions, but avoid it in casual sewing contexts where "шить" might be more appropriate. Grammatically, ensure subject-verb agreement as per Russian rules.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "вышивать" with "шить": English learners often use "шить" (to sew) interchangeably, but this omits the decorative nuance. Incorrect: "Я шью узоры" (I sew patterns – implies plain sewing). Correct: "Я вышиваю узоры" (I embroider patterns). Explanation: "Вышивать" specifies artistic decoration, so always check the context for precision.

• Incorrect conjugation: Beginners might forget stem changes or endings, e.g., saying "я вышивать" instead of "я вышиваю." Correct form: "я вышиваю." Explanation: Russian verbs require proper person endings; practice with conjugation tables to avoid this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "вышивать" is tied to traditional folk art, often seen in embroidered items like sarafans or towels. This craft has historical roots in Slavic heritage, symbolizing protection and beauty in rural communities. Understanding this adds depth to its usage, as it evokes national identity during festivals or in museums.

Related Concepts:

• ткать (to weave)
• вырезание (carving or cutting designs)
• народное искусство (folk art)