Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'leather'

English Word: leather

Key Russian Translations:

• кожа [ˈkoʐə] - [Noun, Feminine, Common; Used in general contexts for animal hide or material]
• кожаный [kɐˈʐanɨj] - [Adjective; Used to describe items made of leather, such as clothing or accessories]

Frequency: High - The word and its forms are commonly encountered in everyday Russian conversations, literature, and commerce.

Difficulty: A1 - Beginner level, as it involves basic vocabulary and simple noun/adjective structures, though inflection patterns may require initial practice for English speakers.

Pronunciation (Russian):

кожа: [ˈkoʐə]

кожаный: [kɐˈʐanɨj]

Note on кожа: The "ж" sound is a voiced palatal fricative, which can be challenging for beginners; it sounds like the "s" in "measure" in English. Pronounce with emphasis on the first syllable.

Note on кожаный: Stress falls on the second syllable; the ending "-ый" often softens in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The material made from animal skin, used for clothing, accessories, or products.

Translation(s) & Context:

• кожа - Used in contexts referring to the raw or processed material, such as in fashion or manufacturing; common in formal and informal settings.
• кожаный - Applied as an adjective for leather-made items; often in descriptive phrases like product descriptions or everyday talk.

Usage Examples:

• Я купил новую куртку из кожи. (Ya kupil novuyu kurtku iz kozhi.)

  I bought a new leather jacket. (This example shows the noun in a shopping context, emphasizing material quality.)

• Эта сумка сделана из натуральной кожи. (Eta sumka sdelana iz natural'noy kozhi.)

  This bag is made from natural leather. (Illustrates use in describing product authenticity, common in retail.)

• Кожаные перчатки очень теплые зимой. (Kozhanyye perchatki ochen' tepliye zimoy.)

  Leather gloves are very warm in winter. (Demonstrates the adjective form in a seasonal context, highlighting practical usage.)

• В мастерской обрабатывают кожу для обуви. (V masterskoy obrabatyvayut kozhu dlya obuvi.)

  In the workshop, they process leather for shoes. (Shows the noun in an industrial or artisanal setting.)

• Он носит кожаные ботинки каждый день. (On nosit kozhanyye botinki kazhdyy den'.)

  He wears leather boots every day. (Exhibits everyday, informal usage of the adjective.)

Meaning 2: Sometimes extended to mean animal skin in a biological sense, though less common for 'leather' specifically.

Translation(s) & Context:

• кожа - In biological or metaphorical contexts, but rarely for manufactured leather; more formal in scientific discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Кожа животных используется для производства кожи. (Kozha zhivotnykh ispol'zuetsya dlya proizvodstva kozhi.)

  Animal skin is used for leather production. (Links biological and material meanings in an educational context.)

• Эта кожа очень прочная и гладкая. (Eta kozha ochen' prochnaya i gladkaya.)

  This leather is very durable and smooth. (Blends meanings in a descriptive, product-focused sentence.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For кожа (feminine noun, 1st declension):

This noun follows standard feminine patterns with irregularities in some cases due to its ending. It is inflected for case and number.

For кожаный (adjective):

This adjective follows the standard adjectival declension, agreeing with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and case. It has short forms in some contexts but is typically long. Example: кожаный (masc.), кожаная (fem.), кожаное (neut.), кожаные (plur.).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • шкура (shkura) - More specific to raw animal skin; used in rustic or biological contexts.
  • материал из кожи (material iz kozhi) - Descriptive phrase for leather material; less concise.
• Antonyms:
  • ткань (tkany') - Fabric, as an opposite material in clothing contexts.
  • синтетика (sintetika) - Synthetic material, highlighting man-made alternatives.

Related Phrases:

• Кожаная обувь (Kozhanaya obuv') - Leather shoes; Common in fashion and daily wear discussions.
• Из натуральной кожи (Iz natural'noy kozhi) - Made from natural leather; Used in product advertising to emphasize quality.
• Кожаный ремень (Kozhanyy remen') - Leather belt; A fixed phrase in clothing or accessory contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "кожа" directly corresponds to "leather" as a noun but can also mean "skin" in biological contexts, so context is key to avoid confusion. For adjectives like "кожаный", it's best used when describing items explicitly made from leather. English speakers should note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify—e.g., "кожаный" for masculine singular. In formal writing or commerce, prefer "кожа" for materials, while in casual speech, phrases like "из кожи" are idiomatic.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "кожа" interchangeably with "skin" without context, leading to misunderstandings (e.g., saying "кожа" for human skin when meaning leather material).

  Correct: Specify with phrases like "кожа для обуви" (leather for shoes). Explanation: Russian differentiates based on context, so always clarify to match the English "leather" precisely.

• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "кожаный сумка" instead of "кожаная сумка" (for a feminine noun like сумка).

  Correct: "Кожаная сумка". Explanation: This is a common grammar mistake for English learners, as English lacks such agreements; always check the noun's gender.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, leather (кожа) holds historical significance in traditional crafts like boot-making in rural areas or in the production of high-end accessories in urban settings. For instance, leather goods from regions like the Urals symbolize durability and heritage, often featured in folk art and modern fashion, reflecting Russia's emphasis on practicality in harsh climates.

Related Concepts:

• замша (zamscha) - Suede, a variant of leather material.
• текстиль (tekstil') - Textile, as a contrasting fabric concept.
• обувь (obuv') - Footwear, often associated with leather products.