Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'manicure'

English Word: manicure

Key Russian Translations:

• маникюр [mɐˈnʲikʊr] - [Formal; commonly used in everyday and professional contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The term is frequently encountered in beauty, health, and daily conversation contexts in Russian-speaking regions.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level should be familiar with basic noun forms and vocabulary related to personal care.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

маникюр: [mɐˈnʲikʊr]

Note on маникюр: The stress falls on the second syllable, which is common in borrowed words. The "й" sound is a soft palatal approximant, which may be challenging for English speakers used to harder consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The process of caring for fingernails and hands, often involving trimming, shaping, and polishing.

Translation(s) & Context:

• маникюр - Used in formal and informal settings for professional nail care services or personal routines.

Usage Examples:

• Я сделала маникюр перед вечеринкой. (Ya sdelala manikyur pered vecherinkoy.)

  I got a manicure before the party. (This example shows the noun in a simple past context, referring to a completed action.)

• В салоне предлагают разные типы маникюра. (V salone predlagayut raznye tipy manikyura.)

  The salon offers different types of manicures. (Here, the word is used in a plural or varied service context, demonstrating its adaptability in descriptions.)

• Мой маникюр держится уже неделю. (Moy manikyur derzhitsya uzhe nedelyu.)

  My manicure has lasted for a whole week. (This illustrates the possessive form and temporal expressions in everyday conversation.)

• Она работает мастером маникюра в престижном спа. (Ona rabotaet masterom manikyura v prestizhnom spa.)

  She works as a manicurist in a prestigious spa. (This example highlights professional contexts and compound noun usage.)

• Маникюр – это не только красота, но и уход за руками. (Manikyur – eto ne tolko krasota, no i ukhod za rukami.)

  Manicure is not just about beauty but also about hand care. (This shows the word in a broader, explanatory sentence, emphasizing its multifunctional role.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Маникюр" is a masculine noun (from the first declension group) borrowed from English/French. It follows standard Russian noun inflections for cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: The plural forms are less common but used when referring to multiple services or types.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • уход за ногтями (ukhod za nogtyami) - More general term for nail care, often used interchangeably in casual contexts.
  • педикюр и маникюр (pedikyur i manikyur) - Specifically pairs with pedicure, but can imply hand care alone in some regions.
• Antonyms:
  • неухоженные ногти (neukhozhhennye nogti) - Meaning "unkempt nails," contrasting with the idea of manicured hands.

Related Phrases:

• Французский маникюр (Frantsuzskiy manikyur) - French manicure; a specific style involving white tips and natural base.
• Гель-лак для маникюра (Gel-lak dlya manikyura) - Gel polish for manicure; refers to long-lasting nail treatments.
• Домашний маникюр (Domashniy manikyur) - At-home manicure; used for DIY routines, emphasizing simplicity and cost-effectiveness.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "маникюр" directly corresponds to the English "manicure" and is widely used in both formal (e.g., salon services) and informal (e.g., personal care) contexts. It is a neuter noun in terms of gender but follows masculine declension patterns. Be mindful of case changes based on sentence structure; for example, use the genitive form "маникюра" after prepositions like "для" (for). When choosing between synonyms, opt for "маникюр" in professional settings for precision, as it is the most straightforward translation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the word without proper case agreement, e.g., saying "Я хочу маникюр" in a context where genitive is needed, like "Я ищу салон для маникюра" (correct) vs. "Я ищу салон для маникюр" (incorrect).

  Correct Usage: Always adjust for case; the correct form here is "маникюра" in genitive. Explanation: Russian requires nouns to change based on their role in the sentence, which English speakers often overlook.

• Error: Confusing it with "педикюр" (pedicure), leading to misuse in descriptions of foot care.

  Correct Usage: Specify "маникюр" only for hands; for feet, use "педикюр." Explanation: These are distinct in Russian, and mixing them can cause misunderstandings in beauty-related conversations.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, manicures are a staple of personal grooming, especially among women, and are often associated with social events or professional appearances. The popularity of "маникюр" has been influenced by Western beauty trends, but it also ties into traditional Russian emphasis on hygiene and presentation, as seen in historical contexts like Soviet-era beauty standards.

Related Concepts:

• педикюр (pedikyur)
• косметология (kosmetologiya)
• уход за кожей (ukhod za kozhey)