Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lavender'

English Word: lavender

Key Russian Translations:

• лаванда [lɐˈvandə] - [Formal, used in botanical, cosmetic, and everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in contexts like gardening, aromatherapy, and color descriptions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level should recognize it as a loanword with straightforward usage, though pronunciation may require practice)

Pronunciation (Russian):

лаванда: [lɐˈvandə]

Note on лаванда: The stress is on the second syllable ('van'), which is a common point of difficulty for English speakers. Ensure the 'a' sounds are soft and open, as in Russian vowels.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Lavender as a plant or herb (botanical context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• лаванда - Used for referring to the flowering plant in gardening, herbal medicine, or natural settings; formal and neutral in everyday Russian speech.

Usage Examples:

• Я выращиваю лаванду в своем саду, чтобы отпугивать насекомых.

  I grow lavender in my garden to repel insects.

• Лаванда часто используется в ароматерапии для релаксации.

  Lavender is often used in aromatherapy for relaxation.

• В поле расцветает лаванда, создавая пурпурный ковер.

  In the field, lavender blooms, creating a purple carpet.

• Моя бабушка делает чай из сушеной лаванды.

  My grandmother makes tea from dried lavender.

2. Lavender as a color (descriptive context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• лаванда - Refers to the light purple shade; used in fashion, design, or artistic descriptions; informal and versatile.

Usage Examples:

• Ее платье цвета лаванды идеально подходит для летнего вечера.

  Her lavender-colored dress is perfect for a summer evening.

• В интерьере комнаты доминирует оттенок лаванды.

  The lavender shade dominates the room's interior.

• Художник смешал синий и фиолетовый, чтобы получить цвет лаванды.

  The artist mixed blue and purple to get the lavender color.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Лаванда" is a feminine noun (feminine singular) in Russian, belonging to the first declension. It follows regular patterns for most cases, but as a loanword, it doesn't have irregular forms. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This word does not change in gender or have verbal inflections, as it is not a verb.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • душица (oregano, though not exact; used in herbal contexts with similar aromatic properties)
  • мята (mint; sometimes associated in aromatherapy, but with subtle differences in scent and usage)
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "лаванда" is a specific plant/color and doesn't have clear opposites.

Related Phrases:

• Масло лаванды - Lavender oil; used in cosmetics and therapy for its calming effects.
• Поле лаванды - Lavender field; refers to scenic areas, often in Provence or Russian countryside contexts.
• Аромат лаванды - Lavender scent; commonly used in descriptions of perfumes or soaps.

Usage Notes:

"Лаванда" is a borrowed word from Latin via French, making it straightforward for English speakers to recognize. It corresponds directly to the English "lavender" in both plant and color meanings. Use it in formal contexts like botany or design, but it's also neutral in casual speech. Be mindful of case endings when using in sentences, as Russian requires agreement with other words. For color descriptions, it's often paired with adjectives like "светлая" (light) for shades. If multiple translations exist in broader contexts, choose based on the primary meaning—e.g., stick with "лаванда" for accuracy over less precise synonyms.

Common Errors:

• Error: Misplacing the stress in pronunciation, e.g., saying [ˈlɐvɐndə] instead of [lɐˈvandə]. Correct: Always stress the second syllable to avoid sounding unnatural. Example of error: "Я произношу лаванда" (incorrect stress); Correct: "Я произношу лаванда" with proper [lɐˈvandə].

• Error: Forgetting declensions in sentences, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Correct: In genitive contexts, use "лаванды" as in "цвет лаванды" (the color of lavender) instead of "цвет лаванда".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, lavender is not as deeply rooted as in Western traditions, but it symbolizes tranquility and is popular in modern aromatherapy and gardening. It's often associated with southern regions like the Caucasus, where it's grown for essential oils, reflecting a blend of global influences in contemporary Russian life.

Related Concepts:

• розмарин (rosemary)
• мята (mint)
• фиалка (violet)