Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'eyelash'

English Word: eyelash

Key Russian Translations:

• ресница /rʲɪsʲˈnʲit͡sə/ - [Formal, commonly used in everyday language for anatomical descriptions]

Frequency: High (This word is commonly encountered in daily conversations, literature, and medical contexts in Russian.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it is a basic vocabulary item in the CEFR framework, suitable for early learners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ресница: /rʲɪsʲˈnʲit͡sə/

Note on ресница: The pronunciation involves a palatalized 'r' sound (/rʲ/), which can be challenging for English speakers; practice with native audio to master the soft consonants. Variations may occur in dialects, but this is the standard Moscow variant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The fine hair on the edge of the eyelid, often associated with beauty or eye protection.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ресница - Used in formal and informal contexts for describing human or animal anatomy, such as in beauty products, medical discussions, or everyday descriptions. For example, in casual conversations about makeup.

Usage Examples:

• Её ресницы были длинными и густыми, как у модели с обложки журнала.

  Her eyelashes were long and thick, like those of a model on a magazine cover.

• В ветреный день ресницы защищают глаза от пыли и грязи.

  On a windy day, eyelashes protect the eyes from dust and dirt.

• Он нанёс тушь на ресницы, чтобы подчеркнуть выразительность глаз.

  He applied mascara to his eyelashes to enhance the expressiveness of his eyes.

• Ресницы младенца ещё не полностью сформированы и кажутся очень нежными.

  A baby's eyelashes are not fully formed yet and appear very delicate.

• В салоне красоты предлагали процедуру по удлинению ресниц для особых случаев.

  The beauty salon offered a procedure for lengthening eyelashes for special occasions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Ресница" is a feminine noun in the first declension group. It follows standard Russian noun declension patterns, which means it changes based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its inflections for singular and plural forms:

Note: This word does not have irregular inflections, making it straightforward for learners. Always ensure the correct case based on sentence structure.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вековая щетина (vekovaia shchetina) - Less common, used poetically to describe eyelashes as bristle-like hairs; implies a more rustic or descriptive context.
  • ресничка (resnichka) - Diminutive form, used in informal or affectionate speech, e.g., for children or in beauty contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • None directly applicable, as "eyelash" is a specific anatomical term without a clear opposite in Russian.

Related Phrases:

• наращивание ресниц - Eyelash extensions; a common beauty procedure in modern Russian culture.
• тёмные ресницы - Dark eyelashes; often used in descriptions of appearance or makeup routines.
• ресницы в макияже - Eyelashes in makeup; refers to techniques for enhancing eyelashes in cosmetic applications.

Usage Notes:

• The Russian word "ресница" directly corresponds to "eyelash" in English and is used across various contexts, from medical to cosmetic. It is gender-neutral in application but grammatically feminine, so ensure agreement with adjectives and verbs (e.g., "длинная ресница" for "long eyelash").
• In formal settings, such as scientific or medical texts, it is straightforward; in informal speech, diminutives like "ресничка" add endearment.
• When choosing between translations, use "ресница" for standard references and "вековая щетина" only in literary or poetic contexts to avoid sounding overly archaic.
• Grammar note: Always decline it correctly based on case; for example, in prepositional phrases like "о ресницах" (about eyelashes).

Common Errors:

• English learners often mispronounce the palatalized 'r' in "ресница" as a standard English 'r', resulting in /rɪsˈnɪtsə/ instead of /rʲɪsʲˈnʲit͡sə/. Correct usage: Practice the soft 'r' sound to avoid confusion with words like "рис" (rice).
• Another error is incorrect gender agreement, such as saying "длинный ресница" (wrong, as it should be "длинная ресница" for feminine noun). Example of error: "Я видел длинный ресница" (incorrect); Correct: "Я видел длинную ресницу" – This happens because English has no grammatical gender.
• Overusing diminutives: Beginners might incorrectly use "ресничка" in formal contexts; reserve it for casual or affectionate speech.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, eyelashes are often associated with beauty and femininity, frequently referenced in literature and folklore. For instance, in fairy tales, long eyelashes might symbolize allure or innocence. In modern contexts, procedures like eyelash extensions are popular, reflecting Western beauty influences, but traditional Russian poetry, such as in Pushkin's works, uses eyelashes metaphorically to describe emotional depth.

Related Concepts:

• волос (volos) - Hair (general term)
• глаз (glaz) - Eye
• тюшь (tush') - Mascara (cosmetic product)