Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'frippery'

English Word: frippery

Key Russian Translations:

• безделушки [bʲɪz.dʲɪˈluʂ.kʲi] - [Informal, Plural, Used to describe trivial or showy items in everyday conversation]
• пустая мишура [ˈpus.tə.jə ˈmʲi.ʂu.rə] - [Formal, Metaphorical, Used in literary or critical contexts to imply superficiality]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly encountered in daily Russian speech, more prevalent in literature or descriptive writing)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 level; requires understanding of nuanced vocabulary and cultural connotations; the first translation is easier for beginners, while the second may require B2 for full comprehension)

Pronunciation (Russian):

безделушки: [bʲɪz.dʲɪˈluʂ.kʲi]

Note on безделушки: The stress falls on the third syllable ("luʂ"), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to Russian's mobile stress patterns. Pronounce the "ʂ" sound like the 'sh' in "shoe" but softer.

пустая мишура: [ˈpus.tə.jə ˈmʲi.ʂu.rə]

Note on пустая мишура: This phrase has two words with primary stress on the first syllable of each; the "ʂ" in "мишура" is similar to the note above. Be mindful of the soft sign (ь) affecting vowel pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Showy or unnecessary ornamentation, often implying something frivolous or lacking substance

Translation(s) & Context:

• безделушки - Used in informal, everyday contexts, such as describing home decor or personal items that are decorative but not essential.
• пустая мишура - Applied in more formal or metaphorical settings, like criticizing superficial aspects of art, fashion, or society.

Usage Examples:

• В её комнате полно безделушек, которые она собирает на рынках.

  Her room is full of fripperies that she collects from markets. (Shows plural noun in a possessive context, highlighting accumulation.)

• Эти пустые мишуры моды не добавляют ничего ценного в коллекцию.

  These fripperies of fashion add nothing valuable to the collection. (Demonstrates metaphorical use in a critical sentence about trends.)

• Он тратит деньги на безделушки, вместо того чтобы инвестировать в полезные вещи.

  He spends money on fripperies instead of investing in useful things. (Illustrates contrast in a decision-making scenario.)

• Пустая мишура праздничных украшений быстро надоедает детям.

  The frippery of holiday decorations quickly bores the children. (Shows temporal context and emotional response.)

• Безделушки в витрине магазина привлекают внимание прохожих, но редко покупаются.

  The fripperies in the shop window catch passersby's attention but are rarely bought. (Depicts a commercial setting with observational tone.)

Meaning 2: Trivial or unimportant matters, often in a dismissive sense

Translation(s) & Context:

• безделушки - Informal, when referring to minor distractions or insignificant topics in conversation.
• пустая мишура - Formal, for philosophical or literary discussions about life's superficial elements.

Usage Examples:

• Не стоит тратить время на такие безделушки, как сплетни.

  Don't waste time on such fripperies as gossip. (Emphasizes dismissal in an advisory context.)

• Его речи полны пустой мишуры, без реального содержания.

  His speeches are full of frippery, without real substance. (Highlights metaphorical application in critique.)

• Безделушки повседневной рутины иногда помогают расслабиться.

  The fripperies of daily routine sometimes help to relax. (Shows a positive twist in a habitual scenario.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns. "Безделушки" is a feminine plural noun with standard declension patterns, while "Пустая мишура" is a phrase where "пустая" is an adjective agreeing with "мишура" (feminine noun).

For "безделушки" (feminine plural):

"Пустая мишура" follows standard adjective-noun agreement; "пустая" changes based on case, e.g., Genitive: "пустой мишуры". It is invariable in number as a phrase but can be adapted in context.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • побрякушки (similar to безделушки, but often implies cheaper or noisier items)
  • мелочи (more neutral, for minor things, with less negative connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • необходимые вещи (essential items, emphasizing utility over frivolity)
  • ценные предметы (valuable objects, contrasting with superficiality)

Related Phrases:

• Собрание безделушек - A collection of trifles; refers to an assortment of unimportant items, often in a humorous or critical way.
• Пустая мишура жизни - The frippery of life; a metaphorical phrase used to describe meaningless aspects of existence in philosophical discussions.
• Накопление побрякушек - Accumulation of knick-knacks; implies hoarding frivolous things, common in everyday critiques of consumerism.

Usage Notes:

"Frippery" corresponds most closely to "безделушки" in informal English-Russian contexts, where it conveys a sense of playfulness or disdain for superficiality. Use "пустая мишура" for more formal or literary settings, as it carries a stronger metaphorical weight. Be aware of gender agreement in Russian sentences; for example, adjectives must match the noun's gender. When choosing between translations, opt for "безделушки" in spoken language and "пустая мишура" in written critiques. Grammatically, these are feminine nouns, so they require appropriate case endings in complex sentences.

• Context tip: In Russian culture, these terms often appear in discussions of materialism, so they may carry subtle social commentary.

Common Errors:

English learners often mistake "безделушки" for "украшения" (decorations), which is more neutral and doesn't imply frivolity. For example:

• Incorrect: "Её украшения – это frippery." (This uses a general term without the negative connotation.)
• Correct: "Её безделушки – это пустая мишура." (Properly conveys the dismissive tone.)
• Another error is forgetting plural forms; learners might say "безделушка" when a plural context is needed, e.g., "I have a frippery" should be "У меня есть безделушка" for singular, but adjust for plural in lists.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "безделушки" often reflect a historical disdain for excess, stemming from Soviet-era minimalism and anti-materialism. "Пустая мишура" might evoke literary references, such as in 19th-century Russian novels by authors like Tolstoy, where it criticizes societal superficiality, helping users appreciate the word's deeper social critique.

Related Concepts:

• украшения
• побрякушки
• мелочи