Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'jeans'

English Word: jeans

Key Russian Translations:

• джинсы [ˈdʒɪn.zɨ] - [Informal, Plural, Used in everyday contexts for casual clothing]

Frequency: High (Very common in modern Russian, especially in urban and youth slang, due to global influence)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it is a loanword from English and requires minimal grammatical adjustment)

Pronunciation (Russian):

джинсы: [ˈdʒɪn.zɨ]

Note on джинсы: The stress falls on the first syllable. The "дж" sound is similar to the English "j" in "jeans," but with a softer, more palatalized quality in Russian. Pronunciation may vary slightly by region, such as in faster speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Trousers made from denim fabric

Translation(s) & Context:

• джинсы - Typically used in informal or casual settings to refer to denim trousers, often in everyday conversations about fashion or daily wear.

Usage Examples:

• Я ношу джинсы каждый день, потому что они удобные.

  I wear jeans every day because they are comfortable.

• Её новые джинсы выглядят стильно с этой рубашкой.

  Her new jeans look stylish with that shirt.

• В джинсах нельзя ходить на работу в этой компании.

  You can't wear jeans to work at this company.

• Мои старые джинсы порвались, так что я купил новые.

  My old jeans tore, so I bought new ones.

• Дети любят играть в джинсах, потому что они прочные.

  Kids love playing in jeans because they are durable.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"джинсы" is a plural noun (pluralia tantum), meaning it is almost always used in its plural form and does not have a singular counterpart in standard Russian. As a borrowed word, it exhibits limited inflection. It follows the pattern of indeclinable nouns in some cases but can show changes in prepositional phrases.

Note: Since "джинсы" is indeclinable in its base form, it does not undergo full regular noun inflection like native Russian words, making it easier for beginners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • брюки (bryuki) - More general term for trousers, but less specific to denim; used in formal contexts.
  • джинсовые брюки (dzhinsovyye bryuki) - A more descriptive synonym, emphasizing the material.
• Antonyms:
  • костюм (kostyum) - Suit, implying formal wear as opposed to casual jeans.

Related Phrases:

• синие джинсы - Blue jeans; a common description for the most typical style.
• рваные джинсы - Ripped jeans; often used in fashion contexts.
• джинсы скинни - Skinny jeans; refers to a fitted style, popular among youth.
• джинсовый стиль - Jeans style; implies a casual, Western-influenced fashion trend.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "джинсы" is always plural and does not have a singular form, unlike in English where "jean" could be singular (though rare). When translating "jeans," use "джинсы" for casual or everyday contexts, but avoid it in very formal settings where "брюки" might be preferred. Be mindful of gender agreement if describing ownership (e.g., мои джинсы for "my jeans"). Learners should note that Russian often pairs this word with adjectives for specificity, such as "тесные джинсы" (tight jeans), to match English nuances.

Common Errors:

• Error: Treating "джинсы" as singular, e.g., saying "Этот джинса" instead of "Эти джинсы."

  Correct: Use "джинсы" in plural form always. Explanation: Russian does not have a singular equivalent, so phrases like "a pair of jeans" translate to "пара джинсов," maintaining plurality to avoid confusion.

• Error: Mispronouncing as [ʤiːnz] like English, without the Russian palatalization.

  Correct: Pronounce as [ˈdʒɪn.zɨ] with the soft "дж" sound. Explanation: This ensures natural integration into Russian speech and prevents it from sounding foreign.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "джинсы" symbolize Western influence and modernity, especially since they became popular in the Soviet era as imported goods. They are associated with youth culture, rebellion, and casual fashion, often evoking images of American pop culture from the 20th century. However, in professional or traditional settings, they might be seen as too informal, reflecting broader cultural attitudes toward formality in Russia.

Related Concepts:

• брюки
• рубашка
• футболка
• одежда