Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mannequin'

English Word: mannequin

Key Russian Translations:

• манекен [mɐˈnʲekʲɪn] - [Formal, Used in fashion and retail contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in specialized contexts like fashion and retail, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian nouns and basic vocabulary, as it involves standard declension)

Pronunciation (Russian):

манекен: [mɐˈnʲekʲɪn]

Note on манекен: The stress falls on the second syllable; the 'нʲ' sound is a palatalized 'n', which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft, quick 'ye' sound in the middle.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A life-sized model of the human body used for displaying clothes or in artistic contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• манекен - Used primarily in formal or professional settings, such as fashion shows, stores, or art installations; implies a static, inanimate figure.

Usage Examples:

• В витрине магазина стоял манекен в новом платье.

  In the shop window, there was a mannequin wearing a new dress.

• Дизайнеры используют манекены для демонстрации коллекций.

  Designers use mannequins to display their collections.

• Этот манекен в музее представляет историческую моду.

  This mannequin in the museum represents historical fashion.

• Магазин обновил манекены в отделе женской одежды.

  The store updated the mannequins in the women's clothing section.

• Художник создал манекен для инсталляции, чтобы показать социальные проблемы.

  The artist created a mannequin for an installation to highlight social issues.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Манекен" is a masculine noun in the second declension. It follows standard Russian noun patterns with regular inflections for cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: The word is regular and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • фигурка (figurká) [fɪˈɡurkə] - More diminutive, often used for smaller models or toys; implies a less professional context.
  • модель (modélʹ) [mɐˈdʲelʲ] - General term for a model, but can be broader; used when emphasizing representation rather than display.
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as 'манекен' is a specific object without a clear opposite in Russian.

Related Phrases:

• манекен для витрины (maneken dlya vitriny) - Mannequin for a shop window; used in retail to describe display purposes.
• одетый манекен (odetyy maneken) - Dressed mannequin; refers to a mannequin with clothing on, common in fashion contexts.
• манекен-робот (maneken-robot) - Robotic mannequin; a modern phrase for automated or interactive models in tech exhibits.

Usage Notes:

"Манекен" directly corresponds to the English "mannequin" in fashion and retail contexts, but it is more formal in Russian and rarely used in casual speech. Always consider the gender (masculine) when forming sentences, and use appropriate case endings based on the sentence structure. For example, if 'mannequin' is the object, it might appear in the accusative case. When choosing between synonyms like 'модель', opt for 'манекен' if the focus is on static display rather than a living model.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я вижу манекен" incorrectly in a prepositional context. Correct: "Я думаю о манекене" (I think about the mannequin). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement; beginners often forget to change endings, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing with 'модель', e.g., using 'модель' when 'манекен' is more precise. Correct: Use 'манекен' for inanimate figures. Explanation: 'Модель' can mean a live model or prototype, so this mix-up alters the meaning in professional settings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, mannequins are often associated with urban fashion and consumerism, especially in major cities like Moscow or St. Petersburg. They can symbolize modernity or even social commentary in art, as seen in Soviet-era installations where mannequins represented idealized human forms, reflecting themes of beauty standards and materialism.

Related Concepts:

• модель (model)
• витрина (shop window)
• коллекция (collection)