Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ivory'

English Word: ivory

Key Russian Translations:

• слоновая кость [slɐˈnovəjə ˈkostʲ] - [Formal; used for the material or color]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in contexts like wildlife, art, or fashion, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of compound nouns and basic noun declensions, as per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

слоновая кость: [slɐˈnovəjə ˈkostʲ]

Note on слоновая кость: The stress falls on the second syllable of "кость" (ˈkostʲ). Be mindful of the soft sign (ʲ) which affects the pronunciation of the 't' sound, making it palatalized. Regional variations may soften vowels slightly in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The hard, white material from the tusks of elephants, used in crafts or as a metaphor.

Translation(s) & Context:

• слоновая кость - Used in formal or scientific contexts, such as discussing wildlife conservation or historical artifacts.

Usage Examples:

• В музее выставлена коллекция изделий из слоновой кости.

  In the museum, there is a collection of items made from ivory.

• Слоновая кость ценится за свою прочность и белизну в ювелирном деле.

  Ivory is valued for its durability and whiteness in jewelry making.

• Из-за браконьерства запасы слоновой кости в Африке резко сократились.

  Due to poaching, ivory reserves in Africa have sharply declined.

• Художник вырезал фигурку из слоновой кости с большим мастерством.

  The artist carved a figure from ivory with great skill.

• Слоновая кость часто используется в традиционных обрядах некоторых африканских племен.

  Ivory is often used in traditional rituals of some African tribes.

Meaning 2: A pale, off-white color, often used in design or fashion.

Translation(s) & Context:

• слоновая кость - Applied in descriptive contexts, such as interior design or clothing, where a formal tone is preferred.

Usage Examples:

• Эта комната оформлена в цвете слоновой кости, что придает ей элегантность.

  This room is decorated in an ivory color, which gives it elegance.

• Вещи в оттенке слоновой кости идеально подходят для свадебных нарядов.

  Items in an ivory shade are perfect for wedding attire.

• Художник смешал краски, чтобы получить оттенок слоновой кости.

  The artist mixed paints to achieve an ivory shade.

• Слоновая кость как цвет символизирует чистоту в модных коллекциях.

  Ivory as a color symbolizes purity in fashion collections.

• Интерьер квартиры в тонах слоновой кости выглядит современно и сдержанно.

  The apartment's interior in ivory tones looks modern and restrained.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Слоновая кость" is a feminine noun phrase in Russian, functioning as a compound noun. It is invariable in its base form but follows standard Russian declension patterns for feminine nouns ending in -ь (like "кость"). The adjective "слоновая" agrees with the noun in gender, number, and case.

Note: The phrase is irregular as a compound, but "кость" drives the inflection. It does not change in plural forms if referring to the material collectively.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • белая кость (belaia kost') - Less formal, often used poetically for a similar white material.
  • слонокость (slonokost') - A shortened, archaic variant with subtle historical connotations.
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "ivory" is a specific material/color without a clear opposite in Russian.

Related Phrases:

• торговля слоновой костью - Trade in ivory; refers to the illegal or regulated commerce of the material.
• украшения из слоновой кости - Jewelry made from ivory; commonly used in discussions of craftsmanship or cultural artifacts.
• цвет слоновой кости - Ivory color; a phrase for describing shades in design or fashion contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "слоновая кость" directly corresponds to the English "ivory" as a material, but it's more formal and often implies cultural or historical significance. Use it in contexts involving nature, art, or ethics (e.g., poaching discussions). For the color meaning, it's less common as a standalone term and may require additional descriptors. When choosing between translations, opt for "слоновая кость" in written or formal speech; avoid it in casual conversation to prevent sensitivity around wildlife issues. Grammatically, ensure adjectives agree with the noun in case and gender.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "кость слона" instead of "слоновая кость" (which incorrectly reverses the order and omits the adjective form).
  Correct: слоновая кость
  Explanation: Russian compound nouns like this require the adjective to precede and agree with the noun; "кость слона" sounds unnatural and literal, implying "the bone of an elephant" without the specific material connotation.

• Error: Failing to decline the phrase properly, e.g., using "слоновая кость" in the genitive case as is.
  Correct: слоновой кости
  Explanation: Learners often forget that the adjective and noun must both inflect; this can lead to grammatical errors in sentences like "коллекция слоновая кость" (incorrect) vs. "коллекция слоновой кости" (correct).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "слоновая кость" carries historical connotations tied to imperial Russia and colonial-era artifacts, often featured in museums or folklore. However, due to global bans on ivory trade (e.g., CITES agreements), it's now associated with ethical concerns and conservation efforts, symbolizing both luxury and environmental destruction.

Related Concepts:

• бронза (bronza) - Referring to bronze materials in art.
• драгоценные камни (dragocennye kamni) - Precious stones, often paired with ivory in jewelry contexts.
• браконьерство (brakonerstvo) - Poaching, a related issue in wildlife discussions.