Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ink'

English Word: ink

Key Russian Translations:

• чернила [t͡ɕɪrˈnʲilə] - [Plural, Neutral; Used in general contexts for writing or printing ink]
• тушь [tuʂ] - [Formal; Used specifically for drawing ink or India ink]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language related to writing, art, and office supplies, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like "water").

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary; Straightforward for beginners, but understanding inflections may require basic knowledge of Russian noun cases).

Pronunciation (Russian):

чернила: [t͡ɕɪrˈnʲilə]

тушь: [tuʂ]

Note on чернила: The initial sound [t͡ɕ] is a palatalized "ch" similar to the "ch" in "cheek" but softer; stress is on the second syllable. Variations in pronunciation may occur in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A colored liquid used for writing, drawing, or printing.

Translation(s) & Context:

• чернила - Used in everyday contexts for standard writing ink, such as in pens or printers. Common in informal and formal settings.
• тушь - Used in artistic or technical contexts for dense, opaque ink, like in illustrations or tattoos. More formal or specialized.

Usage Examples:

• В перьевой ручке кончилось чернила. (V per'evoy ruchke konchilos' chernila.)

  The ink in the fountain pen ran out. (This example shows the noun in a nominative case, common in simple statements about everyday objects.)

• Художник использует тушь для создания контрастных линий. (Khudozhnik ispol'zuyet tush' dlya sozdaniya kontrastnykh linij.)

  The artist uses ink for creating contrasting lines. (Illustrates the word in a creative context, with the accusative case showing direct object usage.)

• Купите новые чернила для принтера, чтобы избежать размытости. (Kupite novyye chernila dlya printera, chtoby izbezhat' razmytosti.)

  Buy new ink for the printer to avoid smudging. (Demonstrates plural form in an imperative sentence, typical in advice or instructions.)

• Эта тушь не смывается водой, как чернила. (Eta tush' ne smyvayetsya vodoy, kak chernila.)

  This ink doesn't wash off with water, unlike regular ink. (Compares two translations in a contrastive structure, highlighting differences in properties.)

• В старых документах чернила выцвели от времени. (V starykh dokumentakh chernila vycveli ot vremeni.)

  The ink in old documents has faded over time. (Shows the noun in a prepositional case, in a historical or descriptive context.)

Secondary Meaning: Figurative use, e.g., in expressions related to permanence or artistry.

Translation(s) & Context:

• чернила - Metaphorically for something indelible, as in literary contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Его слова были начертаны чернилами в моей памяти. (Yego slova byli nachertany chernilami v moyey pamyati.)

  His words were etched in ink in my memory. (Figurative use, showing the noun in an instrumental case for metaphorical engraving.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns. "Чернила" is a plural-only noun (neuter gender) and follows standard Russian plural declension patterns. It does not have a singular form in common usage. "Тушь" is a feminine singular noun with regular declension.

Note: "Чернила" remains unchanged in plural forms across cases, which is a regular feature for many Russian plural nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • краска (kraska) - More general, often for paint or dye; differs from чернила by implying broader coloring agents.
  • чернильная жидкость (chernil'naya zhidkost') - Literal and descriptive, used in technical contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • стирательный ластик (stirat'el'nyy lastik) - Not a direct antonym, but implies erasure; used for concepts like pencil erasers.
  • белый фон (belyy fon) - Figuratively, for something that contrasts by being blank or uncolored.

Related Phrases:

• Чернила для ручки (Chernila dlya ruchki) - Ink for a pen; refers to standard writing supplies.
• Неразбавленная тушь (Nerazbavlennaya tush') - Un diluted ink; used in artistic contexts for pure, intense colors. (Meaning: Pure or concentrated form, often in painting.)
• Выцветшие чернила (Vycvesthie chernila) - Faded ink; common in discussions of aging documents. (Meaning: Refers to ink that has lost its color over time.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "ink" is most commonly translated as "чернила" for general purposes, but choose "тушь" for artistic or specialized contexts. Note the plural nature of "чернила," which doesn't have a singular equivalent, so it's always used in plural forms. English speakers should be cautious with case endings; for example, in prepositional phrases like "в чернилах" (in the ink). If the context involves permanence, "чернила" can carry a metaphorical weight similar to "etched in stone."

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "чернила" in singular form (e.g., saying *чернило* as if it were singular). Correct: Always use the plural form; e.g., Incorrect: *Я купил чернило.* Correct: Я купил чернила. (Explanation: Russian doesn't have a singular for this word, so treating it as singular leads to grammatical errors.)
• Mistake: Confusing "тушь" with "краска" (paint). Correct: Use "тушь" only for ink-like substances in art; e.g., Incorrect: Я использую тушь для стены. (I use ink for the wall.) Correct: Я использую краску для стены. (Explanation: "Тушь" is for fine art, not broad surfaces, to avoid misuse in context.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "чернила" often evokes historical imagery, such as the ink used in Soviet-era documents or classic literature. For instance, in works by authors like Tolstoy, ink symbolizes the permanence of written words, reflecting Russia's literary tradition where handwritten letters and manuscripts hold cultural significance.

Related Concepts:

• бумага (bumaga) - Paper
• писать (pisat') - To write
• художественные материалы (khudozhestvennye materialy) - Art supplies