Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hairpiece'

English Word: hairpiece

Key Russian Translations:

• парик [ˈparʲɪk] - [Informal; commonly used in everyday contexts for wigs or hairpieces]
• волосяной протез [vɐˈlosʲnəj prɐˈtʲes] - [Formal; used in medical or professional settings, such as prosthetics]

Frequency: Medium (The word is encountered in discussions about fashion, theater, or cosmetics, but not as common in general conversation as everyday terms.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; involves basic noun declensions, which may require familiarity with Russian cases. For 'парик', it's straightforward, but 'волосяной протез' might be more challenging due to compound structure.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

парик: [ˈparʲɪk]

волосяной протез: [vɐˈlosʲnəj prɐˈtʲes]

Note on парик: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'р' is rolled, which is a common feature in Russian pronunciation. Be mindful of the palatalized 'рʲ' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A piece of artificial hair worn to cover baldness or for fashion purposes.

Translation(s) & Context:

• парик - Used in informal, everyday contexts, such as fashion or theater (e.g., for costumes).
• волосяной протез - Applied in formal or medical contexts, emphasizing functionality over style.

Usage Examples:

• Он надел парик, чтобы скрыть облысение. (He put on a hairpiece to hide his baldness.)

  Translation: He put on a wig to hide his baldness. (This example shows the word in a personal, everyday context.)

• В театре актриса использовала волосяной протез для роли. (In the theater, the actress used a hairpiece for her role.)

  Translation: In the theater, the actress used a hair prosthesis for her role. (Illustrates formal usage in performance arts.)

• Парик выглядел так натурально, что никто не заметил. (The hairpiece looked so natural that no one noticed.)

  Translation: The wig looked so natural that no one noticed. (Demonstrates descriptive use in casual conversation.)

• Она заказала волосяной протез у специалиста. (She ordered a hairpiece from a specialist.)

  Translation: She ordered a hair prosthesis from a specialist. (Shows medical or custom contexts.)

• Модный парик стал хитом на показе. (The fashionable hairpiece became a hit at the show.)

  Translation: The stylish wig became a hit at the show. (Highlights fashion industry usage.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Парик' is a masculine noun (second declension), which undergoes regular inflection based on Russian cases. 'Волосяной протез' is a compound noun phrase where 'волосяной' is an adjective and 'протез' is a masculine noun (second declension).

For 'парик' (and similarly for 'протез'):

Note: 'Волосяной' as an adjective agrees with the noun it modifies and changes based on case, gender, and number (e.g., волосяного in genitive singular).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • волосы (volosy) - More general, referring to hair extensions.
  • накладка (nakladka) - Specifically for hair additions, with a slight connotation of temporary use.
• Antonyms:
  • натуральные волосы (natural'nye volosy) - Natural hair, emphasizing authenticity.
  • лысый (lysy) - Bald, as an opposite state.

Related Phrases:

• надеть парик (nadet' parik) - To put on a wig; used for dressing up or disguising oneself.
• волосяной протез для восстановления (volosnoy protez dlya vosstanovleniya) - Hair prosthesis for restoration; common in medical contexts for hair loss treatment.
• модный парик на вечеринке (modnyy parik na vecherinke) - Fashionable wig at a party; highlights social or event-based usage.

Usage Notes:

'Парик' is the most direct and common translation for 'hairpiece' in informal settings, while 'волосяной протез' is preferred in formal or medical contexts to emphasize functionality. English speakers should note that Russian nouns change based on case, so 'парик' must agree with prepositions (e.g., 'в парике' for 'in a wig'). Choose 'парик' for everyday fashion talk and 'волосяной протез' for professional discussions to ensure cultural appropriateness.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'парик' in a medical context without proper inflection, e.g., saying "я имею парик" instead of "я имею парик" (correct, but learners might forget case: should be "у меня парик" for possession).

Correct: У меня новый парик. (I have a new wig.)

Explanation: English learners often overlook genitive constructions in Russian, leading to awkward phrasing.

• Mistake: Confusing with 'прическа' (hairstyle), which is not a direct synonym.

Correct: For a hairpiece, use 'парик', not 'прическа'.

Explanation: 'Прическа' refers to a styled haircut, not an artificial addition, so context is key to avoid misuse.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, wigs or hairpieces like 'парик' are often associated with theater, festivals, or historical reenactments, such as in performances of classic plays or during Maslenitsa celebrations. They can symbolize disguise or transformation, reflecting themes in Russian literature, like in Chekhov's works, where they might represent social facades.

Related Concepts:

• шляпа (shlyapa) - Hat
• прическа (pricheska) - Hairstyle
• косметика (kosmetika) - Cosmetics