Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lilac'

English Word: lilac

Key Russian Translations:

• Сирень [sʲɪˈrʲenʲ] - [Common, Noun, Refers to the plant or flower]
• Лиловый [lʲɪˈɫovɨj] - [Common, Adjective, Describes the color, often used in formal or descriptive contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Both translations are moderately common in everyday Russian, especially in contexts like nature, art, and descriptions; 'Сирень' appears in seasonal discussions, while 'Лиловый' is used in color-related vocabulary.)

Difficulty: A2 for 'Сирень' (basic noun usage, suitable for beginners), B1 for 'Лиловый' (adjective with potential declensions, intermediate level as per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Сирень: [sʲɪˈrʲenʲ]

Note on Сирень: The stress is on the second syllable; be mindful of the soft 'р' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalization.

Лиловый: [lʲɪˈɫovɨj]

Note on Лиловый: Pronounce with a soft 'л' at the beginning; the ending '-ый' is typical for masculine adjectives and may vary in declension.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: As a noun referring to the flowering plant (e.g., the lilac bush or flower)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Сирень - Used in botanical, poetic, or everyday contexts when discussing spring flowers or gardens.

Usage Examples:

• В саду расцвела сирень. (In the garden, the lilac has bloomed.)

  Translation: In the garden, the lilac has bloomed. (This example shows 'Сирень' in a simple nominative context, describing a natural scene.)

• Сирень пахнет так приятно весной. (Lilac smells so pleasant in the spring.)

  Translation: Lilac smells so pleasant in the spring. (Here, 'Сирень' is used with a verb to describe sensory experiences.)

• Мы посадили сирень у дома. (We planted lilac near the house.)

  Translation: We planted lilac near the house. (Demonstrates 'Сирень' in an accusative context for actions.)

• Сирень в парке уже отцвела. (The lilac in the park has already wilted.)

  Translation: The lilac in the park has already wilted. (Shows 'Сирень' with prepositional phrases for location.)

• Дети собирают бутоны сирени для букета. (Children are picking lilac buds for a bouquet.)

  Translation: Children are picking lilac buds for a bouquet. (Illustrates 'Сирень' in genitive form within a phrase.)

Meaning 2: As an adjective referring to the color (e.g., a shade of light purple)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Лиловый - Used in artistic, fashion, or descriptive contexts when specifying the color, often in formal writing or speech.

Usage Examples:

• Её платье лилового цвета. (Her dress is lilac-colored.)

  Translation: Her dress is lilac-colored. (This example uses 'Лиловый' as an attributive adjective.)

• Небо на закате стало лиловым. (The sky turned lilac at sunset.)

  Translation: The sky turned lilac at sunset. (Shows 'Лиловый' in a predicative position.)

• Лиловый оттенок идеально подходит для интерьера. (The lilac shade is perfect for interior design.)

  Translation: The lilac shade is perfect for interior design. (Demonstrates 'Лиловый' with nouns in various cases.)

• В картине преобладает лиловый тон. (The painting features a dominant lilac tone.)

  Translation: The painting features a dominant lilac tone. (Illustrates 'Лиловый' in an abstract, artistic context.)

• Она выбрала лиловый шарф для осенней прогулки. (She chose a lilac scarf for an autumn walk.)

  Translation: She chose a lilac scarf for an autumn walk. (Shows 'Лиловый' with everyday objects.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'Сирень' (feminine noun, third declension):

This noun follows standard feminine patterns with some irregularities in plural forms. It is invariable in gender but changes by case and number.

For 'Лиловый' (adjective):

This adjective declines based on gender, number, and case, following standard first-declension patterns for hard-stem adjectives.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Сирень: Фиалковый (fialkovyy) - Similar shade, but more violet; used in poetic contexts.
  • Лиловый: Фиолетовый (fioletovyy) - Overlaps with purple, but 'Лиловый' is lighter.
• Antonyms:
  • Сирень: No direct antonyms, but contrasts with other flowers like Роза (roza, rose).
  • Лиловый: Жёлтый (zhyoltyy) - Yellow, as an opposite color in the spectrum.

Related Phrases:

• Цвет сирени (tsvet siren') - Meaning: The color of lilac; used in descriptions of shades in art or fashion.
• Лиловый закат (lilovyy zakat) - Meaning: Lilac sunset; a poetic phrase for colorful evenings.
• Сирень в цвету (siren' v tsvetu) - Meaning: Lilac in bloom; refers to the flowering season in spring.

Usage Notes:

'Сирень' directly corresponds to 'lilac' as a noun for the plant, making it a straightforward translation in botanical or seasonal contexts. 'Лиловый' is the adjective form for the color, which aligns with English 'lilac' in hue but may imply a softer, more pastel tone. Use 'Сирень' in informal or everyday speech about nature, and opt for 'Лиловый' in formal descriptions. Be cautious with declensions: 'Лиловый' changes based on gender and case, while 'Сирень' follows feminine noun patterns. When choosing between translations, consider the context—e.g., 'lilac flower' vs. 'lilac color'.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'Лиловый' with 'Фиолетовый': English learners often misuse 'Фиолетовый' (purple) for 'Лиловый'. Incorrect: "Её платье фиолетового цвета" when meaning a lighter shade. Correct: "Её платье лилового цвета". Explanation: 'Лиловый' is specifically for lilac's pale purple, not deeper purples.
• Overlooking declensions for 'Сирень': Beginners might use it only in nominative, e.g., saying "Я люблю сирень" but forgetting genitive in phrases like "Цвет сирени". Correct usage: Adjust for case as shown in the inflections table to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'Сирень' symbolizes the arrival of spring and is often featured in poetry and literature, such as in works by Pushkin, evoking themes of renewal and fleeting beauty. 'Лиловый' as a color may carry romantic connotations in art, reflecting the subtle elegance of nature, which aligns with Russia's appreciation for seasonal changes and emotional depth in expressions.

Related Concepts:

• Роза (roza) - Another common flower.
• Фиалка (fialka) - A related flower with similar color hues.
• Пурпурный (purpurnyy) - A deeper shade related to 'Лиловый'.