Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'melody'

English Word: melody

Key Russian Translations:

• мелодия [mʲɪ.lɐˈdʲi.jə] - [Formal, Used in music and artistic contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in music-related discussions, literature, and media, but not everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; Requires basic familiarity with Russian nouns and music vocabulary, suitable for learners with intermediate listening and reading skills)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мелодия: [mʲɪ.lɐˈdʲi.jə]

Note on мелодия: The stress is on the third syllable ("di"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized consonants (e.g., 'мʲ' sounds like a softened 'm'). Practice with native audio for accurate intonation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The sequence of single notes that make up a tune in music.

Translation(s) & Context:

• мелодия - Used in formal music discussions, compositions, or descriptions of songs; Applies to classical, folk, or popular music contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Эта мелодия звучит очень трогательно в старой русской народной песне.

  This melody sounds very touching in an old Russian folk song.

• Композитор создал новую мелодию для симфонического оркестра.

  The composer created a new melody for the symphony orchestra.

• Дети напевают простую мелодию на школьном концерте.

  The children are humming a simple melody at the school concert.

• В фильме главная мелодия вызывает ностальгию по прошлому.

  In the film, the main melody evokes nostalgia for the past.

• Музыканты варьируют мелодию, чтобы сделать её более динамичной.

  The musicians vary the melody to make it more dynamic.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Мелодия is a feminine noun in the first declension (first conjugation for nouns). It follows regular patterns for most Russian feminine nouns, with changes based on case, number, and gender. There are no irregularities, but learners should note the stress shift in some forms.

Note: The word remains unchanged in its base form for most contexts, but always adjust for case as per Russian sentence structure.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • напев (napyev) - Often used for a simpler, more melodic tune, especially in folk or lyrical contexts; Slightly more poetic than мелодия.
  • мотив (motiv) - Refers to a recurring theme or motif in music; Interchangeable in some creative contexts but more specific to patterns.
• Antonyms:
  • диссонанс (dissonans) - Refers to discord or disharmony, contrasting with the harmonious nature of a melody.
  • шум (shum) - Literal noise, implying lack of structured melody.

Related Phrases:

• Популярная мелодия - A popular melody; Often used in media or everyday talk about hit songs.
• Основная мелодия - The main melody; Refers to the primary tune in a composition, as in orchestral works.
• Народная мелодия - Folk melody; Common in discussions of traditional Russian music, evoking cultural heritage.

Usage Notes:

Мелодия directly corresponds to the English "melody" in musical contexts, but it's more formal and less colloquial than English equivalents. Use it in written descriptions, music critiques, or educational settings rather than casual speech. Be mindful of Russian case requirements—for example, in prepositional phrases like "о мелодии" (about the melody). When choosing between synonyms like напев, opt for мелодия in technical music discussions for precision. English learners should practice with genitive and accusative forms to avoid errors in sentence construction.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the nominative form "мелодия" in all cases, e.g., saying "слушать мелодия" instead of "слушать мелодию" (accusative for direct objects).

  Correct: Слушать мелодию (To listen to the melody). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so the accusative form changes the ending based on the verb's object.

• Error: Confusing it with synonyms, e.g., using "мотив" when "мелодия" is needed for a full tune, leading to imprecise meaning.

  Correct: Use мелодия for a complete sequence of notes. Explanation: Мотив refers to a shorter motif, so context matters to avoid dilution of the intended musical idea.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, мелодия often evokes deep emotional and historical connections, such as in folk songs or compositions by Tchaikovsky. It symbolizes national identity in genres like bard music or Soviet-era anthems, where melodies carry patriotic or nostalgic undertones, reflecting Russia's rich musical heritage.

Related Concepts:

• музыка (music)
• гармония (harmony)
• ритм (rhythm)