Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'luxury'

English Word: luxury

Key Russian Translations:

• роскошь [roˈskɔʂʲ] - [Formal, often used in contexts of lifestyle or high-end experiences]
• люкс [lʲuks] - [Informal, specifically for luxury accommodations or ratings, e.g., hotel stars]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in discussions of wealth, travel, and consumer goods, but not as everyday as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires understanding of noun declensions and pronunciation of soft consonants. For 'люкс', it's A2 as it's a borrowed word with simpler forms.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

роскошь: [roˈskɔʂʲ]

Note on роскошь: The 'щ' sound is a soft, hissing fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to 'sh' in 'she' but with more friction. Practice with native audio for accuracy.

люкс: [lʲuks]

Note on люкс: This is a loanword from French, so it's pronounced similarly to English "lux" but with a soft 'l' sound typical in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A state of great comfort or elegance, especially when involving great expense (e.g., luxurious lifestyle).

Translation(s) & Context:

• роскошь - Used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as describing opulent living or high-society events.
• люкс - Applied in practical contexts like hotel ratings or product classifications.

Usage Examples:

• Они наслаждаются роскошью загородного дома. (They enjoy the luxury of a country house.)

  They enjoy the luxury of a country house.

• В этом отеле есть номера люкс с видом на море. (This hotel has luxury rooms with a sea view.)

  This hotel has luxury rooms with a sea view.

• Роскошь современной жизни часто скрывает её пустоту. (The luxury of modern life often hides its emptiness.)

  The luxury of modern life often hides its emptiness.

• Для неё роскошь — это не только деньги, но и свобода. (For her, luxury is not just money, but also freedom.)

  For her, luxury is not just money, but also freedom.

• Гостиница предлагает люкс-класс за разумную цену. (The hotel offers luxury class at a reasonable price.)

  The hotel offers luxury class at a reasonable price.

Meaning 2: Something that is an indulgence or extravagance, not essential (e.g., luxury items).

Translation(s) & Context:

• роскошь - In contexts emphasizing excess or non-essentials, often with a neutral or positive connotation.
• люкс - More literal, for branded or high-end products.

Usage Examples:

• Автомобили роскошью считаются символом статуса. (Luxury cars are considered symbols of status.)

  Luxury cars are considered symbols of status.

• Для многих путешествия в люкс-классе — это мечта. (For many, traveling in luxury class is a dream.)

  For many, traveling in luxury class is a dream.

• Роскошь ювелирных изделий привлекает коллекционеров. (The luxury of jewelry attracts collectors.)

  The luxury of jewelry attracts collectors.

• Он тратит на роскошь, забывая о необходимости. (He spends on luxury, forgetting about necessity.)

  He spends on luxury, forgetting about necessity.

• Люкс-бренды доминируют на рынке моды. (Luxury brands dominate the fashion market.)

  Luxury brands dominate the fashion market.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'роскошь' is a feminine noun (3rd declension), which undergoes regular declensions based on case and number. 'люкс' is an indeclinable noun, borrowed from foreign languages, and does not change forms.

For 'люкс', it remains unchanged in all cases: e.g., Nominative: люкс; Genitive: люкс (with prepositions indicating case, like 'of люкс').

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пышность [pɨʂnəsʲʲ] - More about grandeur and opulence, often in artistic contexts.
  • блеск [blʲɛsk] - Implies shine or splendor, with a connotation of superficial luxury.
• Antonyms:
  • нищета [nʲiʂʲtə] - Poverty or destitution, directly opposite in terms of wealth.
  • скромность [skromnəsʲʲ] - Modesty or simplicity, contrasting with extravagance.

Related Phrases:

• роскошный образ жизни - A luxurious lifestyle; refers to a life of extravagance and comfort.
• люкс-класс - Luxury class; commonly used for travel or accommodations, implying premium service.
• предметы роскоши - Luxury items; denotes high-end goods like jewelry or cars.
• в погоне за роскошью - In pursuit of luxury; an idiomatic phrase for chasing material wealth.

Usage Notes:

'Роскошь' directly corresponds to the English 'luxury' in its abstract sense, often used in formal writing or speech, while 'люкс' is more specific to branded or categorized luxury (e.g., in commerce). English learners should note that Russian nouns like 'роскошь' require declension based on case, which affects sentence structure. For instance, use the genitive case after prepositions like 'of' (e.g., роскоши). When choosing between translations, opt for 'роскошь' in philosophical or descriptive contexts and 'люкс' for practical, everyday references. Be mindful of register: 'роскошь' can carry a poetic tone, whereas 'люкс' is neutral and modern.

Common Errors:

• Error: Failing to decline 'роскошь' correctly, e.g., saying "Я люблю роскошь" in genitive contexts where it should be "роскоши". Correct: Use the proper case, like "без роскоши" (without luxury). Explanation: Russian requires nouns to agree with case, unlike English, which can lead to awkward phrasing.

• Error: Pronouncing 'роскошь' as [ros-kosh] without the soft 'щ' sound. Correct: [roˈskɔʂʲ], emphasizing the palatalized consonant. Explanation: This makes the word sound unnatural; listen to native audio to master the distinction.

• Error: Using 'люкс' interchangeably with 'роскошь' in all contexts. Correct: Reserve 'люкс' for specific items or ratings. Explanation: Overgeneralization can confuse meanings, as 'люкс' doesn't convey the same depth of elegance.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'роскошь' often evokes the opulence of imperial Russia or the Soviet elite's privileges, symbolizing both aspiration and criticism of excess. For example, during the tsarist era, luxury was associated with the Romanov dynasty's palaces, while in modern Russia, it reflects the post-Soviet nouveau riche, highlighting social inequalities and the allure of Western consumerism.

Related Concepts:

• богатство (wealth)
• элегантность (elegance)
• потребительство (consumerism)
• статус (status)