Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lass'

English Word: lass

Key Russian Translations:

• девушка [dʲɪˈvuʂkə] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday conversation to refer to a young female]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations are encountered in standard Russian conversations but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary level; suitable for beginners as it involves straightforward feminine nouns, though pronunciation may pose initial challenges.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

девушка: [dʲɪˈvuʂkə]

Note on девушка: The stress falls on the second syllable ("vu"), and the "ш" sound is a soft, palatalized "sh" which can be tricky for English speakers. Practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A young girl or woman, often implying youthfulness or informality (similar to the English "lass" in Scottish or informal contexts).

Translation(s) & Context:

• девушка - Used in informal settings, such as casual conversations or descriptions; avoid in formal writing where "молодая женщина" might be more appropriate.

Usage Examples:

• Она выглядит как молодая девушка из деревни. (Ona vyglyadit kak molodaya devushka iz derevni.)

  She looks like a young girl from the village. (This example shows the word in a descriptive context, highlighting appearance and origin.)

• Девушка улыбнулась и вошла в комнату. (Devushka ulybnulas' i vosla v komnatu.)

  The girl smiled and entered the room. (Here, it demonstrates the word in a narrative, simple sentence structure.)

• В парке я увидел красивую девушку с книгой. (V parke ya uvidel krasivuyu devushku s knigoy.)

  In the park, I saw a beautiful girl with a book. (This illustrates usage in observational contexts, with an adjective modifier.)

• Моя подруга — настоящая девушка из сказки. (Moya podruga — nastoyaschaya devushka iz skazki.)

  My friend is a real girl from a fairy tale. (This example uses metaphorical language to show figurative applications.)

• Девушка на рецепции помогла мне с вопросом. (Devushka na retseptsii pomogla mne s voprosom.)

  The girl at the reception helped me with my question. (This demonstrates professional or service-oriented contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Девушка" is a feminine noun in the first declension group. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for gender, number, and case. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender (always feminine) and does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • девчонка (devchonka) - More diminutive and affectionate, often for younger girls.
  • леди (ledi) - Borrowed from English, used in more modern or urban contexts for a young woman.
• Antonyms:
  • мужчина (muzhchina) - Man, providing a direct gender opposite.
  • парень (paren') - Guy or young man, for informal contrasts.

Related Phrases:

• Молодая девушка - A young girl; often used in descriptions of age and appearance.
• Девушка за прилавком - The girl at the counter; common in retail or service scenarios.
• Красивая девушка - A beautiful girl; highlights aesthetic qualities in everyday language.

Usage Notes:

"Девушка" directly corresponds to the informal English "lass" in terms of referring to a young female, but it's more versatile in Russian and can be used in both affectionate and neutral contexts. Be mindful of formal settings where "женщина" (woman) might be preferred to avoid sounding too casual. Grammatically, always treat it as a feminine noun, ensuring agreement in adjectives and verbs (e.g., "красивая девушка" for "beautiful girl"). When choosing between synonyms like "девчонка," opt for it in familial or playful situations.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "девушка" in formal contexts, such as business emails, where it might sound overly familiar. Correct: Replace with "молодая женщина" (young woman). Example of error: "Девушка, пожалуйста, помогите." (Incorrect in a professional email). Correct: "Уважаемая коллега, пожалуйста, помогите." (Dear colleague, please help.) Explanation: Russian culture emphasizes formality in professional interactions, so mismatched tone can lead to miscommunication.

• Error: Mispronouncing the word by stressing the wrong syllable, e.g., saying [ˈdʲɪvuʂkə] instead of [dʲɪˈvuʂkə]. Correct: Practice with audio to master the second-syllable stress. Explanation: Incorrect stress can alter perceived fluency and make the word harder to understand for native speakers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "девушка" often carries a connotation of youth and innocence, similar to "lass" in English folklore. It can evoke images from Russian literature, like in folk tales where young women are central figures. However, in modern contexts, it's a neutral term, but overuse in addressing strangers (e.g., in service industries) might be seen as outdated or patronizing, reflecting evolving gender norms in contemporary Russia.

Related Concepts:

• девчонка (a more playful variant for young girls)
• женщина (for adult women, providing a maturity contrast)
• подруга (friend, often female, linking to social relationships)