Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'female'

English Word: female

Key Russian Translations:

• женский [ˈʐɛnskʲɪj] - [Adjective; Formal and Informal]
• женщина [ʐɨnʲˈɕinə] - [Noun; Formal and Informal; Refers specifically to adult human females]

Frequency: High (Commonly used in everyday language, media, and formal contexts in Russian-speaking regions.)

Difficulty: A1 for basic forms (Beginner level, as it involves simple vocabulary and grammar), but B1 for inflections if used in sentences (Intermediate for handling case changes).

Pronunciation (Russian):

женский: [ˈʐɛnskʲɪj] (The stress is on the first syllable. The 'ж' is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure'.)

женщина: [ʐɨnʲˈɕinə] (Stress on the third syllable. Note the soft 'н' which affects the preceding vowel.)

Note on женский: Be cautious with the soft sign (ь) in derived forms, as it can alter pronunciation subtly in fast speech.

Note on женщина: The 'щ' sound is a voiceless alveolo-palatal fricative, which may be challenging for English speakers; it's softer than 'sh' in 'shoe'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: As an adjective, referring to the female gender or sex (e.g., female characteristics, roles, or attributes).

Translation(s) & Context:

• женский - Used in general contexts to describe something related to females, such as in biology, society, or daily life (e.g., in formal writing or conversations about gender).

Usage Examples:

• В этом классе много женских студентов. (In this class, there are many female students.)

  Translation: In this class, there are many female students. (This example shows the adjective in a school setting, agreeing with the noun in gender and number.)

• Женский голос звучит нежно в этой песне. (The female voice sounds gentle in this song.)

  Translation: The female voice sounds gentle in this song. (Demonstrates usage in artistic or descriptive contexts.)

• Женский спорт развивается быстро в нашей стране. (Female sports are developing quickly in our country.)

  Translation: Female sports are developing quickly in our country. (Illustrates application in social or cultural discussions.)

• Этот женский журнал интересный. (This female magazine is interesting.)

  Translation: This female magazine is interesting. (Shows everyday informal use.)

Meaning 2: As a noun, referring to a female person (e.g., a woman or female individual).

Translation(s) & Context:

• женщина - Typically used for adult human females in personal, professional, or societal contexts; can be formal or informal but often implies maturity.

Usage Examples:

• Эта женщина работает врачом. (This woman works as a doctor.)

  Translation: This woman works as a doctor. (Example in a professional context, showing nominative case.)

• В парке я увидела красивую женщину. (In the park, I saw a beautiful woman.)

  Translation: In the park, I saw a beautiful woman. (Descriptive use in everyday scenarios.)

• Женщина в красном платье — моя сестра. (The woman in the red dress is my sister.)

  Translation: The woman in the red dress is my sister. (Demonstrates identification in social settings.)

• Моя бабушка — мудрая женщина. (My grandmother is a wise woman.)

  Translation: My grandmother is a wise woman. (Family-related usage, emphasizing attributes.)

• Женщина на сцене выступает талантливо. (The woman on stage is performing talentfully.)

  Translation: The woman on stage is performing talentfully. (Cultural or performance context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'женский' (adjective): Russian adjectives inflect for gender, number, and case. It follows the standard first-declension pattern for adjectives.

For 'женщина' (noun): This is a first-declension feminine noun. It inflects for case and number but has no gender variation as it is inherently feminine.

Note: These forms are regular, but pay attention to the soft sign (ь) in some cases, which affects pronunciation.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • девичий (for female in a youthful or maiden context; less formal)
  • женственный (emphasizing feminine qualities, often with a softer connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • мужской (male)
  • мужчина (man)

Note: 'Женственный' implies grace or delicacy, which is a subtle difference from 'женский', often used in poetic or descriptive language.

Related Phrases:

• Женский пол (Female gender) - Refers to the biological or social category of females.
• Женщина за рулем (Woman behind the wheel) - A common phrase discussing women drivers, often with cultural stereotypes.
• Женский день (Women's Day) - Refers to International Women's Day, a significant holiday in Russia.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'женский' directly corresponds to the English adjective 'female' in most contexts, but it must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies. For example, use 'женская' for feminine nouns. 'Женщина' is more equivalent to 'woman' as a noun, not a general 'female' for animals (use 'самка' for that). Be mindful of formal vs. informal settings; 'женский' is neutral, but in sensitive topics like gender equality, cultural nuances may affect usage. When choosing between translations, opt for 'женский' for attributes and 'женщина' for individuals.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'женский' without proper inflection, e.g., saying 'женский студент' instead of 'женская студентка' for a female student. Correct: 'Женская студентка'. Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender; this mistake often occurs due to English influence where adjectives don't inflect.

• Error: Confusing 'женщина' with 'девушка' (girl). Correct: Use 'женщина' for adult females and 'девушка' for younger ones. Explanation: Overgeneralizing can lead to age-related inaccuracies in social contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'женский' and 'женщина' are deeply tied to historical gender roles, influenced by traditions from the Soviet era where women were celebrated as equals in the workforce (e.g., via International Women's Day on March 8th). However, contemporary discussions often address gender equality challenges, so using these words sensitively is important to avoid reinforcing stereotypes.

Related Concepts:

• мужской
• гендер
• феминизм