Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lacquer'

English Word: lacquer

Key Russian Translations:

• лак (/lak/) - [Formal, Singular]

Frequency: Medium (Common in contexts like art, furniture, and manufacturing, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners should be familiar with basic nouns and their inflections, as per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

лак: /lak/ (The 'a' is pronounced like the 'a' in 'father', with stress on the first syllable)

Note on лак: This word has a hard 'l' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the absence of similar phonemes in English. Avoid softening it as in some Slavic accents.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A shiny coating or varnish used for protection or decoration.

Translation(s) & Context:

• лак - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as describing furniture finishes or artistic applications; common in written Russian or professional settings.

Usage Examples:

• Этот стол покрыт лаком, который придаёт ему глянцевый блеск.

  This table is covered with lacquer, which gives it a glossy shine. (Demonstrates use in a descriptive context for furniture.)

• Художник наносит лак на холст, чтобы защитить краски от пыли.

  The artist applies lacquer to the canvas to protect the paints from dust. (Shows use in an artistic or creative setting.)

• В фабрике производят лак для мебели, устойчивый к влаге.

  In the factory, they produce lacquer for furniture that is resistant to moisture. (Illustrates industrial or manufacturing context.)

• Девушка использовала лак для ногтей, чтобы сделать маникюр ярче.

  The girl used nail lacquer to make her manicure brighter. (Variant context, showing compound usage in everyday personal care.)

• Старый лак на дверях начал трескаться от времени.

  The old lacquer on the doors started to crack over time. (Demonstrates use in a narrative or descriptive sentence about deterioration.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Лак" is a masculine noun in Russian, and it follows the standard first declension pattern for inanimate masculine nouns. It inflects based on case and number, with no irregularities. Below is a table outlining its singular forms (plural is less common but follows similar patterns).

Note: In plural, it becomes "лаки" in nominative, but this is rare as "lacquer" is often uncountable in English contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: эмаль (/emalʲ/) - Often used for enamel-based coatings, with a slight difference in texture and application; глянцевая краска (/ɡlʲanskʲevaja ˈkraska/) - For glossy paint variants, more general in everyday use.
• Antonyms: матовая краска (/matovaja ˈkraska/) - Matte paint, implying the opposite finish (non-shiny).

Related Phrases:

• Покрыть лаком - To cover with lacquer; used in contexts of applying a protective layer, e.g., on wood or art.
• Лак для ногтей - Nail lacquer; a common phrase in beauty and personal care routines.
• Глянцевый лак - Glossy lacquer; refers to high-shine variants, often in furniture or automotive contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Лак" directly corresponds to the English "lacquer" in most contexts, but English speakers should note that Russian often requires the appropriate case for grammatical agreement (e.g., "покрыт лаком" in instrumental case). It is neutral in terms of formality but leans formal in technical writing. When choosing between translations like "лак" and "эмаль", opt for "лак" if the emphasis is on a clear, protective coating; use "эмаль" for enamel-specific applications. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as "лак" is masculine.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "lacquer" with "lack" and translating it as "недостаток" (/nʲɪdəˈstatək/), which means "shortage" in Russian.

  Correct Usage: Use "лак" for the coating. Example of error: *Я имею лак краски* (incorrect, implying "I have a lack of paint"). Correct: Я наношу лак на поверхность (I apply lacquer to the surface). Explanation: This mix-up stems from homophones in English; always check the context for material vs. absence.

• Error: Forgetting case inflections, e.g., using "лак" in dative contexts without changing to "лаку".

  Correct Usage: In a sentence like "Give it lacquer," say "Дай ему лаку" (using genitive). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English learners often overlook, leading to grammatically incorrect sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "lacquer" is notably associated with traditional lacquer boxes and miniatures from regions like Palekh and Fedoskino, which are UNESCO-recognized art forms. These items often feature intricate paintings under a lacquer finish, symbolizing Russian folk art and craftsmanship, and are popular as souvenirs, reflecting a blend of functionality and aesthetic heritage.

Related Concepts:

• краска
• эмаль
• грунтовка