Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lazuli'

English Word: lazuli

Key Russian Translations:

• лазурит /lazʊˈrʲit/ - [Formal, typically used in geological or jewelry contexts]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday conversation; it's more specialized in fields like geology or art.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and vocabulary related to minerals, per CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

лазурит: /lazʊˈrʲit/

Note on лазурит: The stress falls on the second syllable ('rʲit'). The 'рʲ' sound is a palatalized 'r', which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds softer than a standard English 'r'. Pronounce it with a slight roll if speaking naturally.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A deep blue gemstone, often referring to lapis lazuli in English.

Translation(s) & Context:

• лазурит - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as describing minerals in jewelry, art, or science. This is the standard translation for 'lazuli' in the context of gemstones.

Usage Examples:

• В музее выставлен редкий лазурит из Афганистана.

  In the museum, a rare lazuli from Afghanistan is on display. (This example shows the noun in a nominative case in a descriptive context.)

• Этот камень — чистый лазурит, идеальный для ювелирных изделий.

  This stone is pure lazuli, perfect for jewelry pieces. (Demonstrates the noun in a subject position, emphasizing quality in a commercial setting.)

• Художник использовал порошок лазурита для создания синего пигмента.

  The artist used lazuli powder to create a blue pigment. (Illustrates the word in a genitive case, in an artistic or historical context.)

• Лазурит часто путают с другими синими минералами, такими как сапфир.

  Lazuli is often confused with other blue minerals, such as sapphire. (Shows the noun in various cases within a comparative sentence, highlighting potential misconceptions.)

• В древней Руси лазурит ценили за его яркий цвет в иконах.

  In ancient Rus, lazuli was valued for its vibrant color in icons. (Provides a historical context, demonstrating the word in a prepositional phrase.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Лазурит" is a masculine noun in Russian (3rd declension). It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: This word has regular inflections, so it changes predictably based on case and number. There are no irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • лапис-лазули (used interchangeably in some contexts, especially in imported terminology)
  • ультрамарин (refers to the pigment derived from it, with a slight nuance in artistic applications)
• Antonyms:
  • нефрит (nephrite, a different green stone, contrasting in color and type)

Related Phrases:

• Синий лазурит - Blue lazuli (Refers to the characteristic color of the stone in descriptive contexts.)
• Порошок лазурита - Lazuli powder (Common in art and pigment discussions, used for painting or dyeing.)
• Драгоценный лазурит - Precious lazuli (Emphasizes its value in jewelry, highlighting economic or cultural significance.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "лазурит" directly corresponds to the English "lazuli" as a noun for the gemstone, but it's more commonly used in formal or technical writing rather than casual speech. English speakers should note that Russian nouns require declension based on case, so always adjust for context (e.g., genitive for possession). If multiple translations exist, choose "лазурит" for general mineralogy; "лапис-лазули" might be used in borrowed phrases. Be mindful of the formal register, as this word rarely appears in informal conversations.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "лазурит" without proper declension, e.g., saying "из лазурит" instead of "из лазурита" (genitive case).

  Correct: "Из лазурита делают ювелирные украшения." (From lazuli, they make jewelry.)

  Explanation: Russian requires nouns to change form based on grammatical case; failing to do so can make the sentence grammatically incorrect and confusing.

• Error: Confusing "лазурит" with "сапфир" (sapphire), leading to mistranslation of colors or stones.

  Correct: Use "лазурит" specifically for the deep blue stone, not for other gems.

  Explanation: These are distinct minerals; mixing them up can alter the meaning in descriptions of art or geology.

Cultural Notes:

"Лазурит" holds historical significance in Russian culture, often linked to ancient art and iconography. In medieval Rus, it was imported from Afghanistan and used in Orthodox icons for its vibrant blue color, symbolizing divinity. This reflects Russia's historical trade routes and the influence of Byzantine art, making the word more than just a geological term—it's tied to spiritual and artistic heritage.

Related Concepts:

• сапфир (sapphire)
• нефрит (nephrite)
• бирюза (turquoise)