Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fog'

English Word: fog

Key Russian Translations:

• туман (/tuˈman/) - [Neutral, commonly used for weather descriptions]

Frequency: Medium (This word is encountered regularly in everyday conversations, literature, and weather reports in Russian.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; the word is straightforward and basic, suitable for early learners of Russian.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

туман: /tuˈman/ (The stress is on the second syllable, with a soft 't' sound at the beginning.)

Note on туман: Be mindful of the soft sign (ь) which affects pronunciation; it softens the preceding consonant. In casual speech, the vowel sounds may vary slightly by region.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The atmospheric condition (a thick cloud of tiny water droplets near the ground)

Translation(s) & Context:

• туман - Used in general weather contexts, such as describing visibility issues or atmospheric phenomena. This is the most direct equivalent in neutral or formal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Сегодня утром был густой туман, и мы не могли видеть дорогу.

  This morning there was a thick fog, and we couldn't see the road.

• В горах туман часто скрывает вершины, делая пейзаж загадочным.

  In the mountains, fog often hides the peaks, making the landscape mysterious.

• Из-за тумана самолёт задержался на несколько часов.

  Due to the fog, the plane was delayed for several hours.

• Туман рассеивается к полудню, открывая солнечный день.

  The fog clears by noon, revealing a sunny day.

• В тумане улица выглядела как из старого фильма.

  In the fog, the street looked like it was from an old movie.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Туман" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows regular noun declension patterns, with changes based on case and number. As a singular noun, it does not have plural forms in most contexts, but can be pluralized as "туманы" for multiple instances.

Note: This word is invariable in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms, making it relatively easy for beginners to learn.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мгла (mgla) - Often used for a lighter or hazier fog, with a more poetic connotation.
  • дымка (dymka) - Refers to a thin fog or mist, typically in the context of early morning or over water.
• Antonyms:
  • ясность (yasnost') - Clarity or clearness, implying the absence of fog.
  • солнечный день (solnechnyy den') - A sunny day, contrasting with foggy conditions.

Related Phrases:

• густой туман - Thick fog; used to describe dense, visibility-reducing fog in weather reports.
• утренний туман - Morning fog; common in descriptions of dawn or rural settings.
• рассеять туман - To dispel the fog; metaphorically means to clarify a situation or confusion.

Usage Notes:

"Туман" directly corresponds to the English "fog" in its literal sense, making it a reliable translation for weather-related contexts. However, it is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal (e.g., news reports) and informal settings (e.g., casual conversations). Be cautious with metaphorical uses; in Russian, "туман" can imply confusion or obscurity, similar to English, but it's less common in everyday speech. When choosing between synonyms like "мгла" for more poetic contexts, opt for "туман" for straightforward descriptions to avoid overcomplicating the language.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "туман" with "дым" (smoke), leading to incorrect usage in weather contexts. For example, an incorrect sentence might be: "На улице дым" (meaning "There is smoke outside" when intending "fog"). The correct form is: "На улице туман" (There is fog outside). This error arises from visual similarities, but "дым" specifically refers to smoke from fire.

• Another common mistake is improper declension, such as using the nominative "туман" in all cases. For instance, saying "из туман" instead of "из тумана" (from the fog). Always adjust for the genitive case in prepositional phrases.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, fog is often depicted in literature and folklore as a symbol of mystery or the unknown, as seen in works by authors like Pushkin or Chekhov. For example, fog in rural or Siberian settings can evoke a sense of isolation and introspection, reflecting the vastness of the Russian landscape.

Related Concepts:

• дождь (dovzh')
• снег (sneg)
• ветер (veter)