Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'flame'

English Word: flame

Key Russian Translations:

• пламя [ˈpla.mʲə] - [Formal, Noun; used in literal and poetic contexts]
• пылать [pɨˈlatʲ] - [Formal, Verb; implies intense burning or metaphorical passion]
• гореть [ˈgorʲɪtʲ] - [Informal, Verb; general burning, often everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literature, scientific descriptions, and everyday language, but not as ubiquitous as basic words like "water").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and verb conjugations, suitable for learners with basic Russian grammar knowledge. For 'пылать', it may be B2 due to its metaphorical uses.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пламя: [ˈpla.mʲə]

пылать: [pɨˈlatʲ]

гореть: [ˈgorʲɪtʲ]

Note on пламя: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'мʲ' sound, which is common in Russian but may be challenging for English speakers. Variations in regional accents might soften the vowel sounds.

Audio: Listen to пламя pronunciation (placeholder for audio player integration).

Meanings and Usage:

1. A hot glowing mass of burning gas or vapor (Noun, literal meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пламя - Used in contexts describing fire, such as in emergencies, science, or poetry; formal and vivid language.

Usage Examples:

• В камине ярко горело пламя, освещая комнату теплым светом.

  In the fireplace, the flame burned brightly, illuminating the room with warm light.

• Пламя костра разгорелось под дождем, но быстро угасло.

  The flame of the bonfire flared up in the rain but quickly died out.

• В лаборатории ученые наблюдали за пламенем в пробирке.

  In the laboratory, scientists observed the flame in the test tube.

• Пламя свечи трепетало от сквозняка в старом доме.

  The flame of the candle flickered from the draft in the old house.

2. To burn with flames or metaphorically (Verb, figurative meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пылать - Used for intense, passionate burning, e.g., in emotions or descriptions of fire; often in literary or emotional contexts.
• гореть - More general, everyday verb for burning; informal and versatile.

Usage Examples:

• Ее глаза пылали гневом, как пламя в бурю.

  Her eyes blazed with anger, like a flame in a storm.

• Дерево начало гореть от искры, и пламя быстро распространилось.

  The tree started to burn from the spark, and the flame spread quickly.

• В жару лета поля пылали под солнцем, как вечное пламя.

  In the summer heat, the fields blazed under the sun, like an eternal flame.

• Сердце пылало любовью, но слова горели на языке.

  The heart burned with love, but the words flamed on the tongue.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'пламя' (neuter noun, 2nd declension):

For 'пылать' and 'гореть' (verbs, imperfective):

• пылать: Conjugates irregularly in some aspects; e.g., Present: я пылaю, ты пылaeшь, он пылaeт. Past: пылал/пылала/пылало.
• гореть: Regular imperfective verb; e.g., Present: я горю, ты горишь, он горeт. Past: горел/горела/горело. It does not change in perfective form without a prefix.

These words follow standard Russian inflection patterns with no major irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: огонь (fire, more general), жар (heat, metaphorical), blaze (as in пламя, but less common)
• Antonyms: тьма (darkness), холод (cold)

Note: 'Огонь' is a broader synonym for 'пламя' but often used interchangeably in casual speech, while 'жар' emphasizes intensity in emotional contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Вечное пламя - Eternal flame; a phrase used for memorials or symbols of remembrance.
• Пламя войны - Flame of war; refers to the destructive force of conflict.
• Гореть ярким пламенем - To burn with a bright flame; metaphorical for passion or excellence in performance.

Usage Notes:

'Пламя' directly corresponds to the English 'flame' in literal contexts, such as fire safety or descriptions, but it's more poetic in Russian literature. Use 'пылать' for metaphorical burning (e.g., emotions), which aligns with 'to flame up' in anger. 'Гореть' is versatile for everyday burning but avoid it in formal writing where 'пламя' fits better. Grammatically, nouns like 'пламя' require correct declension based on case, which English speakers often overlook. When choosing between translations, opt for 'пламя' in static descriptions and verbs for actions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'пламя' without declension, e.g., saying "в пламя" instead of "в пламени".
  Correct: "в пламени" (in the flame). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case; this mistake stems from English's lack of cases.
• Error: Confusing 'пылать' and 'гореть', e.g., using 'пылать' for simple burning when 'гореть' is more appropriate.
  Correct: Use 'гореть' for literal fire (e.g., "огонь горить"), and 'пылать' for intensity. Explanation: Overgeneralizing verbs can lead to unnatural phrasing in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'пламя' often symbolizes eternity and remembrance, as seen in the Eternal Flame at war memorials like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow. This reflects Russia's historical emphasis on heroism and sacrifice, drawing from literature like Tolstoy's works where fire motifs represent passion or destruction.

Related Concepts:

• огонь
• жар
• пепел (ashes)