Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fabric'

English Word: fabric

Key Russian Translations:

• ткань [ˈtkanʲ] - [Common, Informal/Neutral, Singular/Plural forms vary]
• материя [mɐˈtʲerʲɪjə] - [Formal, often in literary or technical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations about clothing, textiles, and materials, but not as ubiquitous as basic nouns like "дом" for house).

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner-Intermediate; straightforward for basic learners, but understanding inflections requires familiarity with Russian noun cases, per CEFR standards. For 'ткань': A2; for 'материя': B1 due to more formal usage).

Pronunciation (Russian):

ткань: [ˈtkanʲ] (The 'т' is a voiceless alveolar plosive, and the 'ь' softens the preceding consonant; stress on the first syllable.)

материя: [mɐˈtʲerʲɪjə] (Soft 'т' sound due to palatalization; stress on the second syllable, which can be tricky for English speakers unfamiliar with Russian stress patterns.)

Note on ткань: Be cautious with the soft sign 'ь', which affects pronunciation but not spelling in related words.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Material made from woven fibers, often used in clothing or textiles.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ткань - Used in everyday contexts for fabrics in clothing, home goods, or manufacturing; neutral or informal settings.
• материя - Applied in more formal, literary, or scientific discussions, such as fabric types in fashion design or physics.

Usage Examples:

• Эта ткань очень мягкая и приятная на ощупь.

  This fabric is very soft and pleasant to the touch. (Demonstrates adjective agreement and basic description in a shopping context.)

• Из какой ткани сделано это платье?

  What fabric is this dress made from? (Shows interrogative structure in a conversational setting.)

• Материя для костюма должна быть прочной и элегантной.

  The fabric for the suit should be durable and elegant. (Illustrates formal usage in a professional or fashion context.)

• В фабрике производят различные ткани для экспорта.

  The factory produces various fabrics for export. (Highlights plural forms and industrial contexts.)

• Ткань на диване износилась от времени.

  The fabric on the sofa has worn out over time. (Shows usage in describing wear and tear in everyday home scenarios.)

Secondary Meaning: A metaphorical sense, e.g., the underlying structure or essence of something (less common).

Translation(s) & Context:

• ткань - Rarely used metaphorically, e.g., in literature for the "fabric of society."

Usage Examples:

• Социальная ткань общества изменилась за последние годы.

  The social fabric of society has changed in recent years. (Demonstrates metaphorical extension in a philosophical context.)

• Эта книга раскрывает ткань человеческой природы.

  This book reveals the fabric of human nature. (Shows literary usage with abstract concepts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'ткань' and 'материя' are feminine nouns, which follow standard Russian inflection patterns for first-declension nouns. 'ткань' is more common and has regular declensions, while 'материя' is less variable in everyday use.

Note: These are regular patterns; 'материя' is less frequently inflected in modern usage and may remain unchanged in fixed phrases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ткань: полотно (polotno) - Similar for woven materials, but often implies canvas or broader sheets.
  • материя: материал (material) - More general term for any substance, with subtle differences in formality.
• Antonyms:
  • ткань: синтетика (sintetika) - Implies artificial or non-fabric materials.
  • материя: эфир (efir) - In metaphorical senses, meaning something intangible like air or spirit.

Related Phrases:

• ткань для одежды - Fabric for clothing (Common phrase in shopping or tailoring contexts; refers to materials used in apparel).
• натуральная материя - Natural fabric (Used in eco-friendly or health discussions; emphasizes organic materials).
• изношенная ткань - Worn-out fabric (Describes damaged textiles in everyday maintenance scenarios).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'ткань' directly corresponds to the everyday English 'fabric' and is the most straightforward translation for general use, while 'материя' aligns with more formal or abstract contexts like in literature or science. Choose 'ткань' for neutral conversations (e.g., shopping) and 'материя' for elevated language. Be mindful of gender agreement: as a feminine noun, adjectives and verbs must agree (e.g., "мягкая ткань" for "soft fabric"). In plural forms, it's common in lists or descriptions, but avoid overusing in singular for emphasis.

• Grammar tip: Always check case endings when using in sentences, as Russian requires declension based on sentence role.
• Context guidance: In business or design, 'материя' might sound more professional, but it's less common in casual speech.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse case endings, such as saying "Я купил ткань" when it should be "Я купил ткань" (correct, but errors like "Я купил ткани" confuse genitive for accusative). Another mistake is treating it as masculine, e.g., saying "Этот ткань" instead of "Эта ткань" for proper gender agreement. Correct example: Wrong: "Этот материя мягкий" (incorrect gender and adjective form). Right: "Эта материя мягкая". Explanation: Russian nouns have fixed genders, so always use feminine modifiers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, fabrics like 'ткань' hold historical significance in traditional crafts, such as the production of sarafans or folk embroidery. 'Материя' might evoke literary references in works by authors like Tolstoy, symbolizing the intricate "fabric" of society, reflecting Russia's emphasis on communal and historical narratives.

Related Concepts:

• полотно
• шелк (silk)
• шерсть (wool)