Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mahogany'

English Word: mahogany

Key Russian Translations:

• махагон [mɐxɐˈɡon] - [Formal, Noun, Refers to the type of wood]
• махагоновый [mɐxɐˈɡonəvɨj] - [Formal, Adjective, Describes the color or material quality]

Frequency: Low (This word is specialized and appears mostly in contexts like furniture, woodworking, or design, rather than everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2 on the CEFR scale; learners need familiarity with Russian nouns and adjectives, including gender and declension, but it's not overly complex for intermediate users.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

махагон: [mɐxɐˈɡon]

махагоновый: [mɐxɐˈɡonəvɨj]

Note on махагон: The stress falls on the second syllable ("ɡon"), which is common in Russian loanwords. Be mindful of the soft "х" sound, similar to the "ch" in Scottish "loch".

Note on махагоновый: This adjective ends in "-ый", typical for masculine forms; pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech, softening the final vowel.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

As a noun (referring to the wood)

Translation(s) & Context:

• махагон - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as describing furniture materials or natural resources; common in writing about craftsmanship or imports.

Usage Examples:

• Этот стол сделан из махагон, что придаёт ему роскошный вид.

  This table is made of mahogany, which gives it a luxurious appearance.

• Мебель из махагон часто используется в классическом дизайне интерьера.

  Furniture made of mahogany is often used in classical interior design.

• В тропических лесах растут деревья, дающие древесину махагон.

  In tropical forests, trees grow that produce mahogany wood.

• Художник выбрал махагон для своих скульптур из-за его прочности.

  The artist chose mahogany for his sculptures due to its durability.

As an adjective (referring to color or quality)

Translation(s) & Context:

• махагоновый - Applied to describe shades of reddish-brown, often in fashion, paint, or design contexts; used more descriptively in modern Russian.

Usage Examples:

• Её платье было махагонового цвета, идеально подходящего для осени.

  Her dress was of a mahogany color, perfectly suited for autumn.

• Стены в комнате покрасили в махагоновый оттенок для создания тёплой атмосферы.

  The walls in the room were painted in a mahogany shade to create a warm atmosphere.

• Махагоновый лак придаёт дереву глубокий и богатый блеск.

  Mahogany varnish gives the wood a deep and rich shine.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Махагон" is a masculine noun in Russian, following the standard second declension pattern for loanwords. It inflects based on case and number, but as a singular noun, it doesn't have plural forms in most contexts. Below is a table of its basic declensions:

For "махагоновый", it is an adjective that agrees with the noun it modifies. It changes based on gender, number, and case. Example: Masculine singular (махагоновый), Feminine singular (махагоновая), Neuter singular (махагоновое), Plural (махагоновые). It follows regular adjective patterns without irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: красное дерево (literally "red wood", often used interchangeably for mahogany in general contexts); орех (for similar hardwoods, with a nuance of nut-like woods).
• Antonyms: берёза (birch, implying lighter, softer woods); светлый дуб (light oak, contrasting the dark color of mahogany).

Related Phrases:

• Мебель из махагонa - Furniture made of mahogany; commonly used in discussions of luxury items.
• Махагоновый оттенок - Mahogany shade; refers to color in painting or fashion contexts.
• Древесина махагонa - Mahogany timber; technical phrase for raw material in woodworking.

Usage Notes:

"Махагон" directly corresponds to the English "mahogany" as a noun for the wood, while "махагоновый" is its adjectival form. Use "махагон" in formal or written contexts, such as product descriptions or historical texts. Be aware of gender agreement: it's masculine, so adjectives modifying it must reflect that. When choosing between translations, opt for "махагон" for the material and "махагоновый" for colors. In spoken Russian, these words are rare and may sound more literary or specialized.

Common Errors:

• Error: Misusing the case, e.g., saying "из махагон" instead of "из махагонa" in genitive contexts. Correct: Use the proper genitive form "махагонa" after prepositions like "из" (from/of). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook.
• Error: Confusing with similar words like "магнолия" (magnolia). Correct: "Махагон" is for wood, not flowers. Explanation: Pay attention to spelling and context to avoid semantic mix-ups.
• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "красивая махагон" (which is incorrect as "махагон" is masculine). Correct: "Красивый махагон". Explanation: Adjectives in Russian must match the noun's gender, number, and case.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "махагон" is not indigenous but often associated with imported luxury goods from tropical regions, reflecting historical trade influences during the tsarist era. It symbolizes elegance and durability in furniture design, appearing in classic literature or museums, but it's less tied to everyday Russian life compared to native woods like birch.

Related Concepts:

• дуб (oak)
• вишня (cherry wood)
• цвет древесины (wood color)