Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'finesse'

English Word: finesse

Key Russian Translations:

• Изящество /ɪzʲaˈʂestvə/ - [Formal, often used in artistic or diplomatic contexts]
• Тонкость /tɐnˈkostʲ/ - [Informal, emphasizing subtlety in everyday situations]
• Мастерство /ˈmasterstvə/ - [Neutral, focusing on skill and expertise]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear regularly in literature, business discussions, and media, but not as commonly as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of nuanced vocabulary and context, as per CEFR standards. For 'Изящество', it may be B2; for 'Тонкость', slightly easier at B1.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Изящество: /ɪzʲaˈʂestvə/ (The 'щ' sound is a soft, hissing fricative; stress on the third syllable.)

Тонкость: /tɐnˈkostʲ/ (The 'т' is soft; stress on the second syllable, with a palatalized 'к'.)

Мастерство: /ˈmasterstvə/ (Stress on the first syllable; note the soft 'т' and rolling 'р' in some dialects.)

Note on Изящество: This word can have slight regional variations in pronunciation, such as a more emphasized 'з' in southern Russian dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Skillful handling of a situation with delicacy and subtlety (e.g., in negotiations or art)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Изящество - Used in formal settings, such as diplomacy or creative arts, to convey elegance and precision.
• Тонкость - Applied in informal or everyday contexts, like social interactions, to highlight fine details.

Usage Examples:

• Он проявил изящество в переговорах, убедив всех без лишнего давления.

  He showed finesse in the negotiations, convincing everyone without undue pressure.

• Её тонкость в приготовлении блюд делает каждый ужин незабываемым.

  Her finesse in preparing dishes makes every dinner unforgettable.

• Мастерство теннисиста проявляется в изяществе его ударов.

  The tennis player's finesse is evident in the elegance of his strokes.

• В этой пьесе автор использовал тонкость, чтобы передать сложные эмоции.

  In this play, the author used finesse to convey complex emotions.

• Его изящество в общении помогло разрешить конфликт мирно.

  His finesse in communication helped resolve the conflict peacefully.

Meaning 2: Refinement or elegance in style or execution (e.g., in fashion or performance)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Изящество - Common in artistic or aesthetic discussions, implying grace and sophistication.
• Мастерство - Used when emphasizing technical skill, such as in crafts or performances.

Usage Examples:

• Дизайнер добавила изящество в платье, используя лёгкие ткани.

  The designer added finesse to the dress by using lightweight fabrics.

• Тонкость его игры на пианино заворожила аудиторию.

  The finesse of his piano playing captivated the audience.

• Мастерство художника видно в изяществе мазков кистью.

  The artist's finesse is visible in the elegance of his brushstrokes.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily nouns. 'Изящество' is a neuter noun, which follows standard Russian declension patterns. 'Тонкость' is a feminine noun, and 'Мастерство' is neuter. They exhibit regular inflections based on case, number, and gender.

Note: These words do not have irregular inflections, making them straightforward for learners, but always check context for correct case usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Элегантность (elegance; more focused on visual appeal)
  • Грация (grace; often used in physical or artistic contexts)
  • Ловкость (agility; implies quickness in addition to finesse)
• Antonyms:
  • Грубость (crudeness; lacks subtlety)
  • Неловкость (clumsiness; opposite in terms of skill)
  • Прямолинейность (straightforwardness; no delicacy involved)

Related Phrases:

• С изяществом - With finesse (Used to describe actions performed elegantly, e.g., in dance or speech.)
• Тонкость подхода - Finesse in approach (Refers to a subtle method in problem-solving.)
• Мастерство исполнения - Mastery of execution (Emphasizes skillful performance with finesse.)

Usage Notes:

'Finesse' corresponds most closely to 'изящество' in formal English-Russian translations, but 'тонкость' is preferred for everyday subtlety. Be mindful of context: 'изящество' is ideal for artistic or professional settings, while 'мастерство' highlights technical prowess. In Russian, these words often require specific cases (e.g., instrumental for means), and they can vary by gender and number. When choosing among translations, select based on the desired connotation—e.g., use 'тонкость' for interpersonal nuances.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'изящество' with 'красотa' (beauty): Learners might overuse 'изящество' for general aesthetics. Error: "Это красивое изящество" (incorrect overlap). Correct: "Это изящество в дизайне" (This finesse in design). Explanation: 'Изящество' implies skill, not just visual appeal.
• Misapplying cases: For example, using nominative when instrumental is needed. Error: "Он сделал задачу изящество" (wrong case). Correct: "Он сделал задачу с изяществом". Explanation: Always pair with prepositions correctly to avoid grammatical errors.
• Overgeneralizing synonyms: Mistaking 'ловкость' for 'изящество'. Error: "Его ловкость в переговорах" (implies speed, not delicacy). Correct: "Его изящество в переговорах". Explanation: Choose based on context to maintain precise meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'изящество' often ties to historical traditions like ballet or literature (e.g., in works by Pushkin), where finesse represents intellectual and emotional depth. It reflects the value placed on refinement in social interactions, contrasting with more direct Western styles, and can evoke a sense of aristocratic heritage.

Related Concepts:

• Искусство (art)
• Гармония (harmony)
• Техника (technique)
• Эстетика (aesthetics)