Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'feminine'

English Word: feminine

Key Russian Translations:

• Женский [ʐenˈskʲij] - [Adjective, Formal, used in general contexts for gender-related descriptions]
• Женский род [ˈʐen.skʲij rod] - [Noun phrase, Formal, used specifically in grammatical contexts]
• Фемининный [fʲe.mʲɪˈnʲin.nɨj] - [Adjective, Less common, Informal or literary, implying a more nuanced or Western-influenced sense of femininity]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations are commonly encountered in everyday language, especially in discussions of gender, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like colors or numbers.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions and gender concepts. For 'Женский', it's B1; for 'Женский род', it might be B2 due to grammatical nuances.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Женский: [ʐenˈskʲij]

Женский род: [ˈʐen.skʲij rod]

Фемининный: [fʲe.mʲɪˈnʲin.nɨj]

Note on Женский: The 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure' in English, and it softens before vowels; pay attention to stress on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Relating to women, the female gender, or characteristics typically associated with femininity.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Женский - Used in everyday contexts to describe something pertaining to women, such as clothing or roles; common in formal and informal settings.
• Фемининный - Applied in more literary or modern contexts to denote subtle, elegant femininity, often in fashion or psychology discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Её стиль одежды очень женский. (Her clothing style is very feminine.)

  Translation: Her clothing style is very feminine. (This example shows 'женский' in a descriptive, everyday context, modifying a noun.)

• В этой культуре ценится женский шарм. (In this culture, feminine charm is valued.)

  Translation: In this culture, feminine charm is valued. (Illustrates 'женский' with an abstract noun, highlighting cultural perceptions.)

• Она обладает фемининным обаянием, которое привлекает внимание. (She possesses a feminine charm that draws attention.)

  Translation: She possesses a feminine charm that draws attention. (Demonstrates 'фемининный' in a sentence with emotional nuance.)

• Женский мир полон тайн и эмоций. (The feminine world is full of mysteries and emotions.)

  Translation: The feminine world is full of mysteries and emotions. (Shows 'женский' in a metaphorical, broader context.)

Meaning 2: In grammar, referring to the feminine gender in language structure.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Женский род - Specifically used in linguistic contexts to denote the feminine grammatical gender in Russian nouns and adjectives.

Usage Examples:

• В русском языке слово "девушка" женского рода. (In the Russian language, the word 'девушка' is of feminine gender.)

  Translation: In the Russian language, the word 'girl' is of feminine gender. (This example places 'женский род' in an educational, grammatical context.)

• Прилагательные в женском роде изменяются по падежам. (Adjectives in the feminine gender change according to cases.)

  Translation: Adjectives in the feminine gender change according to cases. (Illustrates 'женский род' with verb conjugation and case systems.)

• Узнайте, как определять женский род в предложениях. (Learn how to identify the feminine gender in sentences.)

  Translation: Learn how to identify the feminine gender in sentences. (Shows instructional use, common in language learning.)

• Существительные женского рода часто оканчиваются на -а. (Nouns of feminine gender often end in -a.)

  Translation: Nouns of feminine gender often end in -a. (Demonstrates a rule-based context for grammar enthusiasts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'Женский' (an adjective), Russian adjectives inflect based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard first-declension pattern for hard-stem adjectives.

For 'Женский род' (a noun phrase), 'род' is a masculine noun and inflects accordingly, while 'Женский' remains an adjective that agrees with it. 'Фемининный' follows similar adjective inflections but is less commonly used.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Женственный (more poetic, implying graceful femininity)
  • Дамский (colloquial, often for items associated with women)
• Antonyms:
  • Мужской (male)
  • Мужественный (manly or brave, with a connotation of strength)

Related Phrases:

• Женский пол - Refers to the female sex or gender in biological or social contexts.
• Женский взгляд - Means "female perspective," often used in discussions about gender roles.
• Фемининный стиль - Implies a "feminine style" in fashion or design, with a modern twist.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'Женский' directly corresponds to the English 'feminine' in gender-related contexts but must agree in case, number, and gender with the noun it modifies. For grammatical use, 'Женский род' is the precise term and is essential in language learning. Be cautious with 'Фемининный', as it's borrowed from English and may sound unnatural in everyday speech; reserve it for formal or artistic settings. English speakers often confuse it with purely biological terms, but in Russian, it can carry cultural nuances.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'Женский' without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я имею женский рюкзак" instead of "Я имею женский рюкзак" (correct, but if the noun requires genitive, it should be "женского рюкзака").

  Correct: Я ношу женскую одежду (I wear feminine clothing). Explanation: Adjectives must agree; beginners often forget case changes, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing 'Женский' with 'Женственный', e.g., using 'Женский' for poetic descriptions where 'Женственный' fits better.

  Correct: Она выглядит женственно (She looks feminine). Explanation: 'Женский' is more literal, while 'Женственный' adds an emotional layer; mixing them can alter the intended tone.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'Женский' often reflect traditional gender roles, such as in literature or folklore where femininity is idealized (e.g., in fairy tales). However, modern usage has evolved with feminism, and terms like 'Фемининный' may carry Western influences, highlighting ongoing cultural shifts in gender perceptions.

Related Concepts:

• Мужской (male)
• Гендер (gender)
• Равенство (equality)