Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'jazz'

English Word: jazz

Key Russian Translations:

• джаз [dʒæz] - [Formal, Used in music contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in discussions about music, arts, or cultural events, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 level on CEFR scale; involves recognizing and pronouncing loanwords from English, which may require practice for non-native speakers)

Pronunciation (Russian):

джаз: [dʒæz]

Note on джаз: The pronunciation closely mirrors the English original, with the initial "дж" sound like the "j" in "jump." Be cautious of the soft "ж" sound, which can vary slightly in regional accents. Stress falls on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A style of music characterized by improvisation, syncopation, and blues influences.

Translation(s) & Context:

• джаз - Used in formal and informal contexts to refer to the genre, especially in music discussions, concerts, or cultural events.

Usage Examples:

• Я обожаю слушать джаз по вечерам; это помогает расслабиться.

  I love listening to jazz in the evenings; it helps me relax.

• В Москве ежегодно проходит фестиваль джазовой музыки.

  In Moscow, there's an annual jazz music festival.

• Его игра на саксофоне придала джазу неповторимый колорит.

  His saxophone playing gave the jazz an unmistakable flavor.

• Дети учились импровизации в стиле джаз.

  The children were learning improvisation in the jazz style.

• Современный джаз сочетает элементы классики и рока.

  Modern jazz combines elements of classical music and rock.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Джаз" is a masculine noun (masc. sg.) borrowed from English, and it follows standard Russian inflection patterns for foreign words. It is relatively stable but can change based on grammatical case. Below is a table of its basic inflections:

Note: As a loanword, it may not always inflect in informal speech, and the plural form is rarely used unless referring to multiple sub-genres.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: свинг (swing - often refers to a sub-style of jazz), джаз-рок (jazz-rock - for blended genres)
• Antonyms: классика (classics - referring to classical music, as an opposite in style)

Explanation: "Свинг" is a synonym that highlights a specific energetic sub-genre, while "классика" serves as an antonym due to its structured, non-improvisational nature.

Related Phrases:

• джазовый фестиваль - A jazz festival; commonly used for events like those in Moscow or St. Petersburg.
• джазовая музыка - Jazz music; a general phrase for the genre in broader contexts.
• импровизировать в стиле джаз - To improvise in jazz style; emphasizes the creative aspect of the genre.

Usage Notes:

"Джаз" directly corresponds to the English "jazz" as a loanword, making it straightforward for English speakers, but it's primarily used in cultural or artistic contexts. In Russian, it's gender-neutral in application but treated as masculine grammatically. Be mindful of formal settings where it's paired with adjectives like "современный джаз" (modern jazz). When choosing between translations, stick with "джаз" for accuracy, as other terms like "свинг" are more specific sub-genres.

Common Errors:

• Error: Mispronouncing as [ʒæz] instead of [dʒæz], which softens the initial sound.
  Correct: Use [dʒæz] to match the standard Russian pronunciation.
  Explanation: English speakers might confuse it with French influences, but in Russian, the "дж" is harder.
• Error: Using the plural form incorrectly, e.g., saying "джазес" (a non-existent form).
  Correct: Stick to "джазы" only when necessary for multiple types.
  Explanation: Russian nouns don't borrow English plurals; follow Russian inflection rules to avoid confusion.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, "джаз" carries historical significance due to its association with the Soviet era, where it was initially suppressed as "bourgeois" music but later embraced in the 1950s. Today, it symbolizes cultural exchange and modernity, with festivals like the Moscow International Jazz Festival highlighting its role in contemporary Russian arts.

Related Concepts:

• блюз (blues)
• рок (rock)
• свинг (swing)