Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fur'

English Word: fur

Key Russian Translations:

• мех [/mʲɛx/] - [Formal, Singular]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions about clothing, animals, and fashion in Russian media and everyday speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves basic noun declensions; learners at this level can grasp it with practice)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мех: [/mʲɛx/]

Note on мех: The initial sound is a soft 'm' (palatalized), which can be challenging for English speakers; it's pronounced like 'myekh' with a slight 'y' glide. Stress falls on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Animal skin or fur used for clothing or materials

Translation(s) & Context:

• мех - Used in formal and everyday contexts for animal fur, such as in fashion, wildlife, or trade. Common in descriptive language about clothing or nature.

Usage Examples:

• Я купил шубу из натурального меха. (Ya kupil shubu iz natural'nogo mekha.)

  I bought a coat made of natural fur. (This example shows 'мех' in a possessive context, describing material in a shopping scenario.)

• Мех лисицы очень мягкий и теплый. (Mekh lisitsy ochen' myagkiy i teplyy.)

  Fox fur is very soft and warm. (Here, 'мех' is used as a subject complement, highlighting its qualities in a descriptive sentence.)

• В музее есть экспонаты из меха древних животных. (V muzeye est' ekspoznaty iz mekha drevnikh zhivotnykh.)

  In the museum, there are exhibits made from the fur of ancient animals. (This demonstrates 'мех' in a historical or educational context, with genitive case usage.)

• Она шьет одежду из искусственного меха. (Ona sheyet odezhdu iz iskusstvennogo mekha.)

  She sews clothes from artificial fur. (Example of 'мех' in a modern, ethical context, contrasting natural vs. synthetic materials.)

Secondary Meaning: Figurative or metaphorical use (e.g., referring to hair or fluff)

Translation(s) & Context:

• мех - Less common, but can refer to animal-like fur in a poetic or metaphorical sense, such as on toys or in literature.

Usage Examples:

• Игрушка медведя покрыта мягким мехом. (Igroshka medvedya pokryta myagkim mekhom.)

  The teddy bear toy is covered in soft fur. (This illustrates 'мех' in a playful, everyday object description.)

• В сказке животные носили меховые костюмы. (V skazke zhivotnye nosili mekhovye kostyumy.)

  In the fairy tale, the animals wore fur costumes. (Shows metaphorical use in storytelling, with adjective form 'меховые'.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Мех' is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows standard patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: The plural form 'мехи' is less common and can sometimes refer to multiple items or types of fur. This noun does not have irregular forms but requires attention to soft consonants in pronunciation.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • шерсть (sherst') - More specific to wool or animal hair, often used interchangeably in casual contexts.
  • пушнина (pushnina) - Refers to fur as a material or trade good, with a connotation of luxury.
• Antonyms:
  • голый (golyy) - Meaning 'bare' or 'naked', implying the absence of fur.
  • синтетика (sintetika) - Referring to synthetic materials, contrasting with natural fur.

Related Phrases:

• Меховая шуба (Mekhovaya shuba) - Fur coat; a common winter clothing item in Russian culture, often associated with cold climates.
• Из меха (Iz mekha) - Made of fur; used in descriptions of accessories or garments.
• Торговля мехом (Torgovlya mekhom) - Fur trade; historically significant in Russia, referring to economic activities.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'мех' directly corresponds to the English 'fur' in most contexts, but it's primarily a noun and must agree in case, number, and gender with other words in the sentence. For English speakers, remember that Russian nouns like 'мех' require declension—e.g., use genitive 'меха' after prepositions like 'из' (from). It's neutral in formality but leans formal in written contexts. When choosing between translations, opt for 'мех' for literal fur and 'пушнина' for trade-related discussions to capture nuances.

• Grammar tip: Always check the case; for example, in 'шуба из меха', 'меха' is genitive.
• Cultural tip: In Russia, fur is often linked to traditional attire, so usage might evoke heritage in conversations.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse cases with 'мех'. For instance, they might say "Я имею шуба из мех" instead of the correct "Я имею шубу из меха" (I have a coat made of fur). The error here is forgetting the genitive case for 'меха'. Correct usage: Always decline based on context—e.g., nominative for subjects, genitive for possession. Another common mistake is confusing it with 'шерсть', using it for human hair; clarify that 'мех' is for animals only.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, fur like 'мех' holds historical significance due to Russia's harsh winters and fur trade legacy, dating back to the tsarist era. It's often symbolized in literature and art as a sign of wealth or survival, as seen in folk tales where characters wear fur to endure cold. This adds a layer of cultural depth, making 'мех' more than just a material—it's tied to national identity and environmental adaptation.

Related Concepts:

• шуба (shuba) - Coat
• пушной (pushnoy) - Furry
• зверь (zver') - Animal (in the context of wildlife)