Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'miniature'

English Word: miniature

Key Russian Translations:

• миниатюра [mʲɪnʲɪɐˈturə] - [Formal, Noun; Used in contexts involving art, models, or small-scale representations]
• миниатюрный [mʲɪnʲɪɐˈturnɨj] - [Adjective; Informal or General; Used to describe something very small in size, often endearingly]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its forms appear regularly in literature, art discussions, and everyday descriptions, but not as commonly as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Suitable for learners with a basic grasp of Russian grammar, as it involves noun and adjective inflections; "миниатюра" may be slightly easier than "миниатюрный" due to its more straightforward usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

миниатюра: [mʲɪnʲɪɐˈturə]

Note on миниатюра: The stress falls on the third syllable ("tu-"). Pay attention to the palatalized 'n' sound, which is common in Russian but may be challenging for English speakers. Variations in regional accents might soften the vowels.

Audio: []

миниатюрный: [mʲɪnʲɪɐˈturnɨj]

Note on миниатюрный: The ending '-ый' changes based on gender, number, and case, affecting pronunciation (e.g., '-ая' for feminine). The 'y' sound at the end is a soft consonant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A small-scale representation, model, or painting

Translation(s) & Context:

• миниатюра - Typically used in formal or artistic contexts, such as describing historical paintings or detailed models; Avoid in casual everyday speech.

Usage Examples:

• Эта миниатюра из коллекции музея представляет собой точную копию древнего города.

  This miniature from the museum collection represents an exact replica of an ancient city.

• Художник создал красивую миниатюру, которая теперь выставлена в галерее.

  The artist created a beautiful miniature that is now on display in the gallery.

• В детстве я собирал миниатюры кораблей из дерева.

  As a child, I used to collect wooden miniatures of ships.

• Миниатюра этой статуи позволяет изучить детали без посещения оригинала.

  This miniature of the statue allows you to study the details without visiting the original.

• На уроке искусства мы рисовали миниатюру пейзажа.

  In art class, we drew a miniature landscape.

2. Very small in size or scale (adjective form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• миниатюрный - Applied to objects, animals, or concepts to emphasize their smallness; Common in informal descriptions, such as fashion or technology.

Usage Examples:

• Её миниатюрная сумочка идеально подходит для вечернего выхода.

  Her miniature handbag is perfect for an evening outing.

• Этот миниатюрный робот может выполнять сложные задачи в ограниченном пространстве.

  This miniature robot can perform complex tasks in a limited space.

• Котёнок был таким миниатюрным, что помещался в ладони.

  The kitten was so miniature that it fit in the palm of my hand.

• В саду растут миниатюрные розы, которые не требуют много ухода.

  In the garden, there are miniature roses that don't require much care.

• Миниатюрный телефон стал хитом среди молодёжи из-за своей компактности.

  The miniature phone became a hit among youth due to its compactness.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "миниатюра" (feminine noun, first declension):

It follows standard feminine noun patterns with regular inflections. Note that it is invariant in some contexts but changes for case and number.

For "миниатюрный" (adjective):

It is a standard adjective that declines based on gender, number, and case. It has full agreement with nouns, making it variable. Example: миниатюрная (feminine singular), миниатюрные (plural).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • маленький (small; more general and everyday, often used interchangeably for size)
  • уменьшенный (reduced; implies scaling down, with a focus on proportion)
• Antonyms:
  • большой (big; direct opposite for size)
  • гигантский (giant; emphasizes extreme largeness)

Related Phrases:

• миниатюрная модель - A small-scale model; Used in engineering or hobbies to describe replicas.
• миниатюрный сад - A miniature garden; Common in urban settings for small, decorative spaces.
• художественная миниатюра - Artistic miniature; Refers to detailed paintings or crafts in Russian art traditions.

Usage Notes:

"Миниатюра" directly corresponds to the noun form of "miniature" in English, especially in artistic or historical contexts, and is preferred for tangible objects. "Миниатюрный" aligns with the adjective form and is versatile for describing size in everyday situations. Be mindful of gender agreement when using adjectives; for example, pair "миниатюрный" with masculine nouns. In formal writing, opt for "миниатюра" to maintain precision, while in casual conversation, "миниатюрный" is more approachable. Avoid overusing these terms in basic descriptions where simpler words like "маленький" suffice.

Common Errors:

• Error: Misusing "миниатюра" as an adjective (e.g., saying "миниатюра дом" instead of "миниатюрный дом"). Correct: Use "миниатюрный" for adjectival descriptions. Explanation: "Миниатюра" is a noun, so it must agree grammatically as such; this confusion arises from direct translation habits.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, such as using "миниатюра" in the wrong case (e.g., "я видел миниатюра" instead of "я видел миниатюру"). Correct: In accusative case, it should be "миниатюру". Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English learners often overlook, leading to grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "миниатюра" holds historical significance, particularly in folk art like Matryoshka dolls or icon painting, where intricate details symbolize precision and heritage. It reflects a cultural appreciation for craftsmanship in confined spaces, often seen in literature by authors like Pushkin, who used miniatures metaphorically for life's complexities.

Related Concepts:

• скульптура (sculpture)
• модель (model)
• украшение (decoration)