Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'indigo'

English Word: indigo

Key Russian Translations:

• индиго [ɪnʲˈdʲiɡə] - [Formal, used in color descriptions]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in discussions of colors, art, and fashion, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can recognize and use borrowed words like this in context, though pronunciation may pose challenges for non-Slavic speakers)

Pronunciation (Russian):

индиго: [ɪnʲˈdʲiɡə]

Note on индиго: The stress is on the second syllable ('di'), and the 'нʲ' sound is a palatalized 'n', which is common in Russian but may be tricky for English speakers. Practice with native audio for accurate intonation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The color indigo (a deep blue-violet hue)

Translation(s) & Context:

• индиго - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as art, fashion, or scientific descriptions of colors, to denote the specific shade between blue and violet.

Usage Examples:

• Этот оттенок — чистый индиго, идеальный для вечерних платьев.

  This shade is pure indigo, perfect for evening dresses.

• Художник смешал синий и фиолетовый, чтобы получить индиго.

  The artist mixed blue and violet to get indigo.

• В её картине доминирует цвет индиго, символизирующий тайну.

  In her painting, the color indigo dominates, symbolizing mystery.

• Индиго часто используется в текстиле для создания долговечных красителей.

  Indigo is often used in textiles for creating durable dyes.

• Этот индиго оттенок глаз делает портрет особенно выразительным.

  This indigo eye shade makes the portrait particularly expressive.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Индиго" is a neuter noun borrowed from English/French, and it follows the pattern of third-declension nouns in Russian, which are often indeclinable or have limited changes. As a modern loanword, it is typically invariable in most contexts, but can show basic adjectival agreement in some cases.

Note: This word does not undergo regular inflection like native Russian nouns; it remains unchanged in most forms, which simplifies its use for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • темно-синий (dark blue) - Similar shade, but less specific; used in everyday contexts.
  • ультрамариновый (ultramarine) - A deeper blue variant, often interchangeable in artistic descriptions.
• Antonyms:
  • жёлтый (yellow) - Represents the opposite end of the color spectrum.
  • красный (red) - A contrasting warm color.

Related Phrases:

• Индиго-синий - A phrase meaning "indigo blue"; used in fashion or design to describe shades. (Refers to a specific variant of blue in color theory.)
• Цвет индиго - "The color indigo"; common in artistic or educational contexts. (Emphasizes the hue in descriptions.)
• Индиго в текстиле - "Indigo in textiles"; refers to traditional dyeing techniques. (Often linked to historical practices like those in denim production.)

Usage Notes:

"Индиго" directly corresponds to the English word for the color, making it a straightforward borrow for learners. It is primarily used in formal, technical, or creative contexts rather than casual conversation. Be mindful of its invariable nature—unlike many Russian nouns, it doesn't change endings, which avoids common declension errors. When choosing between synonyms like "темно-синий," opt for "индиго" if precision is needed, such as in art or science. Grammatically, it functions as a neuter noun and can be modified by adjectives (e.g., яркий индиго for "bright indigo").

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "индиго" with "синий" and using the latter inaccurately. For example, learners might say "синий" when "индиго" is more precise for the shade.

  Correct Usage: Это именно индиго, а не просто синий. (This is exactly indigo, not just blue.)

  Explanation: "Синий" is a broader term for blue, so it can lead to vagueness; always specify "индиго" for the exact hue to maintain accuracy in descriptions.

• Error: Mispronouncing the palatalized 'нʲ' sound, which might sound like a plain 'n' in English.

  Correct Usage: Practice [ɪnʲˈdʲiɡə] to ensure the soft 'n' is distinct.

  Explanation: This can make the word harder to understand for native speakers, so audio repetition is key.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "индиго" is associated with historical dyeing techniques, such as those used in traditional Russian folk art and textiles. It also ties into broader global history, like the indigo dye trade in the 18th and 19th centuries, which influenced Russian imports. Symbolically, indigo often represents mystery or depth in art, echoing its use in literature and painting, such as in works by Russian impressionists.

Related Concepts:

• синий (blue)
• фиолетовый (violet)
• ультрамарин (ultramarine)
• красители (dyes)