Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'freckle'

English Word: freckle

Key Russian Translations:

• веснушка /vʲɪsˈnuʂkə/ - [Informal, Singular; Used in everyday descriptions of skin features]

Frequency: Medium (Common in conversations about appearance, especially among children or in dermatological contexts)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner level; Easy to learn due to its straightforward usage, but requires basic understanding of Russian noun inflections)

Pronunciation (Russian):

веснушка: /vʲɪsˈnuʂkə/

Note on веснушка: The 'ш' sound is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, similar to the 'sh' in English 'shoe', but ensure the preceding 'н' is softened in Russian pronunciation. Stress falls on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Small, flat spots on the skin, often brown, caused by sun exposure.

Translation(s) & Context:

• веснушка - Typically used in informal or neutral contexts when describing facial or skin features, such as in casual conversations or literature.

Usage Examples:

• У неё на лице много веснушек от летнего загара.

  She has many freckles on her face from the summer tan.

• Дети часто стесняются своих веснушек, но они делают их милыми.

  Children often feel self-conscious about their freckles, but they make them cute.

• Веснушки появляются у людей с рыжими волосами чаще всего.

  Freckles appear most often in people with red hair.

• Он нанёс крем, чтобы скрыть веснушки перед фотографией.

  He applied cream to cover his freckles before the photo.

• Веснушки — это естественный пигмент, который защищает кожу.

  Freckles are a natural pigment that protects the skin.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

веснушка is a feminine noun of the first declension in Russian. It follows regular patterns for most cases and numbers, with no irregularities. Below is a table outlining its inflections:

Note: This word does not change in gender or have verbal forms, as it is a noun. Always use appropriate adjectives or modifiers to agree with its feminine gender.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: пигментное пятно (pigmentnoe pyatno; more formal, scientific term); родинка (rodinka; though less precise, as it means 'mole')
• Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as this is a descriptive term for a physical feature)

Related Phrases:

• Покрытый веснушками - Covered in freckles; Used to describe someone with a lot of freckles on their skin.
• Веснушки на носу - Freckles on the nose; Common in affectionate descriptions, often in poetry or casual talk.
• Летние веснушки - Summer freckles; Refers to freckles that appear seasonally due to sun exposure.

Usage Notes:

веснушка is a diminutive form in Russian, which adds an affectionate or endearing connotation, similar to how 'freckle' in English can sound cute. It corresponds directly to the English 'freckle' in most contexts but is more commonly used in informal settings. Be mindful of gender agreement: always pair it with feminine adjectives (e.g., 'малая веснушка' for 'small freckle'). If multiple translations are needed, choose веснушка for everyday use and пигментное пятно for medical discussions. This word is neutral in terms of formality but can vary by context, such as in literature where it evokes innocence.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing веснушка with родинка (which means 'mole'). Incorrect: "У меня родинка на лице" when meaning freckles. Correct: "У меня веснушка на лице". Explanation: родинка refers to a permanent skin mark, while веснушка is temporary and sun-related; this mix-up can lead to misunderstandings in descriptions of appearance.

• Error: Forgetting to inflect properly in sentences. Incorrect: "Я вижу веснушка" (missing case agreement). Correct: "Я вижу веснушку" (accusative case). Explanation: Russian requires nouns to change based on their role in the sentence, so always check the case for accurate usage.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, freckles (веснушки) are often portrayed positively in literature and media, symbolizing youth, beauty, or even good luck. For instance, in folk tales and poetry by authors like Pushkin, freckles are associated with natural charm and innocence, contrasting with Western views that sometimes see them as imperfections. This cultural nuance can help English speakers appreciate the affectionate tone when Russians use the term.

Related Concepts:

• родинка (mole)
• загар (tan)
• пигмент (pigment)