Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lace'

English Word: lace

Key Russian Translations:

• кружево [kruˈʐɛvə] - [Noun, Neutral, Formal/Informal]
• шнурок [ˈʂnurək] - [Noun, Masculine, Informal, Used for shoe laces]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language related to clothing and fabrics, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun cases and basic vocabulary, though 'кружево' is straightforward for learners at this level. For 'шнурок', difficulty remains B1 due to its regular inflection.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кружево: [kruˈʐɛvə]

Note on кружево: The 'ж' sound (as in [ʐ]) is a voiced retroflex fricative, similar to the 'zh' in English 'measure'. Stress falls on the second syllable, which is common in Russian neuter nouns.

шнурок: [ˈʂnurək]

Note on шнурок: The 'ш' sound (as in [ʂ]) is a voiceless retroflex fricative, like 'sh' in 'shoe', but with a more palatalized quality. Be mindful of the stress on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A delicate fabric made of yarn or thread in an open weblike pattern (e.g., for clothing or decoration)

Translation(s) & Context:

• кружево - Used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as fashion, textiles, or historical discussions.
• шнурок - Less applicable here, but could be used metaphorically if referring to laced patterns in a casual setting.

Usage Examples:

• Это платье украшено красивым кружевом. (This dress is adorned with beautiful lace.)

  English: This dress is adorned with beautiful lace.

• Она сшила занавески из тонкого кружева. (She sewed curtains from fine lace.)

  English: She sewed curtains from fine lace. (This example shows 'кружево' in a domestic or craft context.)

• В музее выставлено старинное кружево из Франции. (The museum displays antique lace from France.)

  English: The museum displays antique lace from France. (Illustrates 'кружево' in a historical or cultural context.)

• Дети любят играть с шнурками, похожими на кружево. (Children love playing with laces that resemble lace.)

  English: Children love playing with laces that resemble lace. (Here, 'шнурок' is used to contrast or extend the meaning in an informal, everyday scenario.)

• Кружево добавляет элегантности любому наряду. (Lace adds elegance to any outfit.)

  English: Lace adds elegance to any outfit. (Demonstrates 'кружево' in a fashion-related sentence with positive connotation.)

Meaning 2: A cord or string used for fastening, such as on shoes (e.g., shoelace)

Translation(s) & Context:

• шнурок - Commonly used in everyday, informal contexts like clothing or sports.
• кружево - Rarely used for this meaning; prefer 'шнурок' to avoid confusion.

Usage Examples:

• Не забудь завязать шнурки на кроссовках. (Don't forget to tie the laces on your sneakers.)

  English: Don't forget to tie the laces on your sneakers.

• Шнурок на ботинке порвался, нужно заменить. (The lace on the boot broke; it needs to be replaced.)

  English: The lace on the boot broke; it needs to be replaced. (Shows 'шнурок' in a practical, maintenance context.)

• В спортивных магазинах продают эластичные шнурки. (Sports stores sell elastic laces.)

  English: Sports stores sell elastic laces. (Illustrates 'шнурок' in a commercial or product description.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'кружево' is a neuter noun in the second declension, which means it follows standard patterns for Russian neuter nouns. It is indeclinable in some contexts but typically inflects by case and number.

'шнурок' is a masculine noun with a regular inflection pattern. It changes by case and number as follows:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • кружево: гипюр (hypyur) - Fine lace, often used for high-end fabrics.
  • шнурок: завязка (zavyazka) - A general term for a tie or lace, with a more abstract connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • кружево: гладкая ткань (gladkaya tkany) - Smooth fabric, implying the opposite texture.
  • шнурок: застежка (zastezhka) - Fastener, like a button, which doesn't require tying.

Related Phrases:

• Кружевная отделка (Kruzevnaya otdelka) - Lace trimming; a decorative element in clothing or home decor.
• Завязать шнурок (Zavyazat' shnurok) - To tie a lace; commonly used in instructions for shoes or bags.
• Русское кружево (Russkoye kruzevo) - Russian lace; refers to traditional folk art in fabric work.

Usage Notes:

• Choose 'кружево' for contexts involving decorative fabrics, as it directly corresponds to the aesthetic sense of 'lace' in English. It's versatile across formal and informal settings but is more common in written or descriptive language.
• 'Шнурок' is better for functional laces like shoelaces, and it's often used in everyday spoken Russian. Be aware of case changes to match sentence structure, as Russian requires nouns to agree grammatically.
• In formal writing, prefer 'кружево' over 'шнурок' for fashion topics to maintain precision. Learners should note that Russian vocabulary for fabrics often carries cultural nuances, so context is key.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'кружево' interchangeably with 'шнурок' without considering context. For example, saying "Завяжите кружево на ботинке" (incorrect) instead of "Завяжите шнурок на ботинке" (correct). Explanation: This confuses decorative fabric with functional cordage; always match the word to the intended meaning to avoid misunderstanding.
• Error: Forgetting case inflections, e.g., using nominative 'кружево' in a genitive context like "платье из кружево" (incorrect) instead of "платье из кружева" (correct). Explanation: Russian nouns must inflect for case; practice declension tables to build accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

'Кружево' often evokes Russian folk traditions, such as the intricate lacework from regions like Vologda, which is a UNESCO-recognized craft. In Russian culture, lace symbolizes femininity, heritage, and craftsmanship, frequently appearing in literature and festivals, unlike the more utilitarian 'шнурок', which lacks such deep cultural connotations.

Related Concepts:

• ткань (tkany) - Fabric
• вышивка (vyshivka) - Embroidery
• шнуровка (shnurovka) - Lacing (as in a process)