Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gown'

English Word: gown

Key Russian Translations:

• платье [ˈplatʲjə] - [Formal, typically for women's formal dresses or gowns]
• халат [xɐˈlat] - [Informal, used for robes or dressing gowns]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday fashion contexts and formal descriptions, but not as ubiquitous as basic clothing terms)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner level; straightforward for English speakers learning Russian, as the words follow basic noun patterns, though pronunciation may vary slightly between translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

платье: [ˈplatʲjə]

Note on платье: The soft sign 'ь' in 'ть' softens the preceding consonant, making it sound more palatalized; practice with native speakers for accuracy.

халат: [xɐˈlat]

Note on халат: The 'х' is a guttural sound similar to the Scottish 'ch' in "loch"; this can be challenging for English speakers and has no direct equivalent.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A long dress worn by women on formal occasions (e.g., evening gown or wedding dress).

Translation(s) & Context:

• платье - Used in formal or ceremonial contexts, such as weddings or galas; common in written and spoken Russian for describing elegant attire.

Usage Examples:

• Она надела элегантное платье на званый ужин.

  She wore an elegant gown to the formal dinner.

• В этом бутике продаются роскошные платья для балов.

  This boutique sells luxurious gowns for balls.

• Дизайнер создал уникальное платье из шелка для невесты.

  The designer created a unique gown from silk for the bride.

• Платье с длинным подолом идеально подходит для вечерних мероприятий.

  A gown with a long hem is perfect for evening events.

2. A loose robe or dressing gown (e.g., for lounging or medical use).

Translation(s) & Context:

• халат - Used in casual, everyday contexts like home wear or hospital garments; less formal and more practical than платье.

Usage Examples:

• После душа она надела мягкий халат.

  After the shower, she put on a comfortable gown.

• Врачи носят белые халаты в больнице.

  Doctors wear white gowns in the hospital.

• Халат из фланели помогает согреться зимой.

  A flannel gown helps stay warm in winter.

• Он предпочитает халат для расслабления дома по вечерам.

  He prefers a gown for relaxing at home in the evenings.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are nouns and follow standard Russian inflection patterns. "Платье" is a neuter noun in the second declension, while "халат" is a masculine noun in the second declension. Russian nouns change based on case, number, and gender.

Note: These are regular inflections; no irregular forms for these words.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for платье: наряд (outfit, more general), одеяние (garment, formal)
• Synonyms for халат: роба (work robe), пеньюар (negligee, for women's robes)
• Antonyms: None directly, but could include повседневная одежда (casual clothing) for contrast in formality.

Related Phrases:

• Вечернее платье - Evening gown; used for formal evening events, emphasizing elegance.
• Банный халат - Bathrobe; a common household item for post-bath comfort.
• Свадебное платье - Wedding gown; refers to bridal attire with cultural significance in Russian weddings.

Usage Notes:

"Платье" is the more precise translation for a formal gown and is widely used in contexts similar to English, but it can also mean a general dress. Choose "халат" for casual or functional robes to avoid confusion. Be mindful of gender agreements in sentences, as Russian adjectives and verbs must agree with the noun's gender (e.g., платье is neuter, so use neuter forms). In formal writing, "платье" might appear in descriptions of fashion or events, while "халат" is everyday vernacular.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "платье" interchangeably with "халат" in casual contexts. Correct: Халат надевают для отдыха (A gown is worn for relaxation). Explanation: "Платье" implies formality, so it might sound odd for a bathrobe; this confuses the level of formality.
• Mistake: Incorrect inflection, e.g., saying "в платью" instead of "в платье". Correct: В платье (In the gown). Explanation: Russian prepositional case requires specific endings; English speakers often overlook case changes.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, a "свадебное платье" (wedding gown) often symbolizes tradition and family values, with white being popular but not mandatory as in Western customs. Historically, "халат" has been associated with practicality in daily life, reflecting Russia's emphasis on functionality in clothing during colder seasons.

Related Concepts:

• юбка (skirt)
• костюм (suit)
• одежда (clothing)