lavish
Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lavish'
English Word: lavish
Key Russian Translations:
- роскошный /rɐˈskɔʂnɨj/ - [Formal; used for describing luxury or extravagance in appearance or style]
- щедрый /ˈʂʲedrɨj/ - [Informal; primarily for generosity or abundance in giving]
- изобильный /ɪzɐˈbʲilʲnɨj/ - [Formal; emphasizing abundance or richness, often in resources]
Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, media, and everyday conversations about wealth or generosity, but not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives).
Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective declensions and contextual nuances, varying by translation—e.g., 'роскошный' is straightforward, while 'щедрый' may involve subtle emotional connotations).
Pronunciation (Russian):
роскошный: /rɐˈskɔʂnɨj/ (Note the stress on the second syllable; the 'ш' sound is a soft, palatalized fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers.)
щедрый: /ˈʂʲedrɨj/ (The initial 'щ' is a voiceless alveolo-palatal fricative; practice with minimal pairs to avoid confusing it with 'ш'.)
изобильный: /ɪzɐˈbʲilʲnɨj/ (Emphasize the 'и' in the stressed syllable; the 'бʲ' is palatalized, adding a soft 'y' sound.)
Audio: []
Meanings and Usage:
Meaning 1: Extravagant in size, amount, or degree (e.g., luxurious or opulent)
Translation(s) & Context:
- роскошный - Used in formal contexts like describing high-end products, events, or lifestyles; often in written or spoken descriptions of wealth.
- изобильный - Applied in contexts involving abundance, such as natural resources or feasts, but less common for personal luxury.
Usage Examples:
-
Этот отель роскошный, с золотыми люстрами и мраморными полами.
This hotel is lavish, with golden chandeliers and marble floors.
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В её доме роскошная мебель, которая выглядит как из старых фильмов.
In her house, the furniture is lavish, looking straight out of old movies.
-
Изобильный ужин был организован на празднике, с роскошными блюдами.
The dinner was lavish in abundance, with extravagant dishes at the party.
-
Роскошный сад в усадьбе впечатляет посетителей своей пышностью.
The lavish garden in the estate impresses visitors with its opulence.
Meaning 2: Very generous or liberal in giving (e.g., abundant in provision)
Translation(s) & Context:
- щедрый - Common in interpersonal or emotional contexts, such as gifts or hospitality; informal and warm in tone.
- роскошный - Less frequent here, but used if generosity manifests as extravagance.
Usage Examples:
-
Его щедрый подарок на день рождения тронул всех гостей.
His lavish gift on her birthday touched all the guests.
-
Щедрый хозяин угощал всех роскошными блюдами на банкете.
The lavish host treated everyone to extravagant dishes at the banquet.
-
Её щедрый жест в помощи друзьям сделал её любимой в компании.
Her lavish gesture in helping friends made her beloved in the group.
-
Щедрый вклад в благотворительность сделал его известным филантропом.
His lavish contribution to charity made him a renowned philanthropist.
Russian Forms/Inflections:
All key translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow standard first-declension patterns for adjectives, with some irregularities in certain forms. Below is a table for 'роскошный' as an example; similar patterns apply to 'щедрый' and 'изобильный' with minor variations.
Form | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nominative | роскошный | роскошная | роскошное | роскошные |
Genitive | роскошного | роскошной | роскошного | роскошных |
Dative | роскошному | роскошной | роскошному | роскошным |
Accusative | роскошный/ого | роскошную | роскошное | роскошные/ых |
Instrumental | роскошным | роскошной | роскошным | роскошными |
Prepositional | роскошном | роскошной | роскошном | роскошных |
For 'щедрый', it is mostly regular but softens in certain forms (e.g., 'щедрого' in genitive). These adjectives do not change in invariable contexts like after certain prepositions.
Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:
- Synonyms:
- богатый (wealthy; more neutral for richness)
- пышный (sumptuous; often for elaborate displays)
- обильный (abundant; similar to 'изобильный' but more common)
- Antonyms:
- скромный (modest; implies simplicity)
- бедный (poor; for lack of wealth)
- скупой (stingy; for lack of generosity)
Related Phrases:
- Роскошный образ жизни - A lavish lifestyle; refers to living extravagantly, often associated with the elite.
- Щедрый жест - A lavish gesture; used for generous acts in social or charitable contexts.
- Изобильный урожай - A lavish harvest; describes abundant yields in agriculture.
- Роскошный банкет - A lavish banquet; common in event planning for opulent gatherings.
Usage Notes:
'Роскошный' best matches the luxurious aspect of 'lavish' and is ideal for formal descriptions, while 'щедрый' aligns with generosity and suits informal, emotional contexts. Be cautious with word choice based on nuance—'lavish' in English can imply excess, which 'роскошный' captures well. In Russian, these adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, so always check sentence structure. For example, use 'щедрый' in proverbs like "Щедрый человек всегда в почёте" to emphasize cultural values of giving.
Common Errors:
- Mistake: Using 'роскошный' interchangeably with 'богатый' without considering connotation. Error example: "Богатый ужин" (incorrect for 'lavish dinner' if extravagance is meant). Correct: "Роскошный ужин". Explanation: 'Богатый' means wealthy but not necessarily extravagant.
- Mistake: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "Роскошный книги" instead of "Роскошные книги" for plural. Correct: Ensure the adjective matches the noun's form. Explanation: Russian requires full inflection, unlike English, to avoid grammatical errors.
- Mistake: Overusing 'щедрый' in formal contexts. Error example: "Щедрый конференция" (awkward). Correct: Use 'роскошный' for events. Explanation: 'Щедрый' is more personal; save it for interpersonal scenarios.
Cultural Notes:
In Russian culture, words like 'роскошный' often evoke images of historical opulence, such as the lavish palaces of the tsars (e.g., the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg). 'Щедрый' ties into traditional hospitality, reflected in customs like generous toasts at celebrations, emphasizing community and warmth in Slavic heritage.
Related Concepts:
- блеск (glitter or splendor)
- изысканный (refined or elegant)
- щедрость (generosity)
- пышность (opulence)