Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hair'

English Word: hair

Key Russian Translations:

• волосы (/vɐˈɫosɨ/) - [Plural, Informal; Used for hair in general, especially on the head]
• волос (/ˈvɐɫəs/) - [Singular, Formal; Used for a single strand of hair]

Frequency: High (Commonly used in everyday conversations, media, and literature in Russian-speaking contexts).

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level for basic vocabulary; however, understanding inflections may reach A2 for learners new to Russian grammar).

Pronunciation (Russian):

волосы: /vɐˈɫosɨ/ (The stress is on the second syllable; the 'ы' sound is a high back unrounded vowel, which can be tricky for English speakers.)

волос: /ˈvɐɫəs/ (Stress on the first syllable; note the soft 'л' sound, which is palatalized.)

Note on волосы: This word often has a rolled 'р' in some dialects, but standard pronunciation uses a flap. Variations may occur in fast speech.

Note on волос: Pay attention to the vowel reduction in unstressed syllables, common in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The mass of strands growing on a person's head (uncountable in English).

Translation(s) & Context:

• волосы - Used in everyday contexts for describing hair appearance, care, or style in informal or neutral settings.

Usage Examples:

• У неё длинные и чёрные волосы.

  She has long and black hair.

• Я мою волосы каждый день.

  I wash my hair every day. (This shows the verb in a routine context.)

• Его волосы были мокрыми после дождя.

  His hair was wet after the rain. (Demonstrates adjective usage in a descriptive sentence.)

• Волосы этой модели идеально уложены.

  The model's hair is perfectly styled. (Context: Fashion or beauty discussions.)

Meaning 2: A single strand of hair (countable in English).

Translation(s) & Context:

• волос - Used in more precise or scientific contexts, such as biology or when emphasizing individual strands.

Usage Examples:

• На ковре нашелся один волос.

  There was a single hair on the carpet. (This highlights singular usage in a detective or everyday scenario.)

• Этот волос был седым.

  This hair was gray. (Shows attributive description in a personal context.)

• В микроскопе виден каждый волос.

  Every hair is visible under the microscope. (Scientific or detailed observation context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "волосы" and "волос" are nouns in Russian. "Волосы" is typically plural and follows the standard declension for feminine nouns ending in -ы. "Волос" is masculine and has irregular inflections in some cases due to its root.

Note: "Волосы" does not have a singular form in common usage for the general meaning; it is invariant in plural contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • шевелюра (More poetic or informal, often for a full head of hair; implies style or volume)
  • прическа (Refers specifically to a hairstyle, not just the hair itself)
• Antonyms:
  • лысina (Baldness, referring to the absence of hair)

Related Phrases:

• Длинные волосы - Long hair (Common in descriptions of appearance or fashion).
• Короткие волосы - Short hair (Used in contexts like haircuts or personal style).
• Расчесывать волосы - To brush one's hair (A daily routine phrase).
• Вьющиеся волосы - Curly hair (Descriptive for hair texture).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "волосы" is the standard translation for the uncountable sense of "hair" in English, but it's always plural. Avoid using it as a singular noun. For formal or literary contexts, "волосы" might be preferred over synonyms like "шевелюра." When discussing hair care, pair it with verbs like "мыть" (to wash) or "стричь" (to cut). Choose between "волосы" and "волос" based on context: use the former for general references and the latter for specifics to ensure precise correspondence with English usage.

Common Errors:

• Error: Treating "волосы" as singular, e.g., saying "Этот волосы" instead of "Эти волосы."

  Correct: Use proper plural agreement, e.g., "Эти волосы красивые." Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in number and case with adjectives and verbs, unlike English.

• Error: Mispronouncing the vowel in "волосы" by using an English 'o' sound.

  Correct: Pronounce as /vɐˈɫosɨ/ with the correct Russian vowel reduction. Explanation: This can lead to misunderstandings in spoken language.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, hair often symbolizes beauty, health, and tradition. For instance, in folklore and literature like Russian fairy tales, long hair (длинные волосы) on women is associated with youth and allure, as seen in stories like "The Tale of Tsar Saltan." Historically, hair was a key element in rituals, such as cutting it during mourning, reflecting deeper emotional or social connotations.

Related Concepts:

• борода (beard)
• усики (mustache)
• прическа (hairstyle)