Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'minimalist'

English Word: minimalist

Key Russian Translations:

• минималистский - /mʲɪnʲɪmalʲɪstskʲɪj/ - [Formal, Adjective]

Frequency: Medium (This term is commonly used in discussions of art, design, and philosophy but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian adjective forms and cultural concepts of minimalism.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

минималистский: /mʲɪnʲɪmalʲɪstskʲɪj/

Note on минималистский: The stress falls on the third syllable ("mal"), and the "й" at the end can be softened in fast speech. Pay attention to the palatalized consonants, which are common in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Relating to minimalism in art, design, or lifestyle, characterized by simplicity and the elimination of unnecessary elements.

Translation(s) & Context:

• минималистский - Used in formal contexts like art criticism or design discussions, often to describe styles that emphasize basic forms.

Usage Examples:

• Его стиль интерьера был минималистским, с минимумом мебели и чистыми линиями.

  His interior style was minimalist, with minimal furniture and clean lines.

• В современном искусстве минималистские работы часто фокусируются на простоте форм.

  In modern art, minimalist works often focus on the simplicity of forms.

• Она предпочитает минималистский подход к моде, выбирая только необходимые аксессуары.

  She prefers a minimalist approach to fashion, choosing only necessary accessories.

• Минималистский дизайн телефона делает его легким и функциональным.

  The minimalist design of the phone makes it lightweight and functional.

• В философии минималистский взгляд подразумевает отказ от излишеств для достижения гармонии.

  In philosophy, a minimalist view implies rejecting excesses to achieve harmony.

Meaning 2: (If applicable, e.g., in a broader sense) A person or thing that adheres to minimal principles, such as in computing or efficiency.

Translation(s) & Context:

• минималист - Used less formally to describe a person or approach focused on essentials, often in tech or lifestyle contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Как минималист, он использует только базовые приложения на своем компьютере.

  As a minimalist, he uses only basic applications on his computer.

• Минималист в дизайне продуктов стремится к максимальной простоте.

  A minimalist in product design strives for maximum simplicity.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

минималистский is an adjective in Russian, which follows the standard adjectival declension patterns. It agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies. There are no irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

For the noun form like "минималист" (a minimalist person), it declines as a masculine noun: Nominative - минималист, Genitive - минималиста, etc.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • простой (simple) - Often used for everyday simplicity, with less emphasis on artistic minimalism.
  • лаконичный (laconic) - Implies brevity and conciseness, especially in writing or speech.
• Antonyms:
  • сложный (complex) - Refers to something intricate or multifaceted.
  • избыточный (excessive) - Highlights unnecessary elaboration.

Related Phrases:

• Минималистский дизайн - A common phrase for "minimalist design," often used in architecture and product development.
• Минималистский стиль жизни - Refers to "minimalist lifestyle," emphasizing reducing possessions for mental clarity.
• В духе минимализма - Means "in the spirit of minimalism," used to describe approaches that embody its principles.

Usage Notes:

Minimalist corresponds closely to "минималистский" in Russian, but it's more prevalent in cultural and artistic contexts. Use it with nouns to describe styles or approaches, ensuring agreement in gender, number, and case. For informal settings, "простой" might be a more accessible alternative. When choosing between translations, opt for "минималистский" in formal writing or discussions about modern art, as it carries specific connotations of 20th-century movements.

• Grammar tip: Always decline the adjective to match the noun, e.g., "минималистский дом" (a minimalist house).
• Cultural tip: Minimalism in Russian contexts often references Western influences, so it's common in urban or intellectual discourse.

Common Errors:

One common mistake is using "минималистский" without proper declension, such as saying "минималистский дома" instead of "минималистского дома" in the genitive case. Correct usage: Incorrect: "Я люблю минималистский стиль интерьера." (This is fine in nominative, but errors occur in other cases.) Correct: "Я восхищаюсь минималистским дизайном." Explanation: The adjective must agree with the noun's case; here, "дизайном" is instrumental, so "минималистским" is used.

Another error: Confusing it with "минимум" (minimum), which refers to the lowest quantity, not a style. For example, don't say "Я хочу минимум стиль" when meaning "I want a minimalist style"; instead, use "Я хочу минималистский стиль."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "минималистский" often evokes the influence of Western minimalist art movements, like those of Donald Judd or Frank Stella, which gained popularity in the Soviet era through dissident art. It symbolizes anti-excess and intellectual purity, contrasting with traditional Russian ornate styles, and is tied to modern urban lifestyles in cities like Moscow.

Related Concepts:

• авангард (avant-garde)
• абстракционизм (abstractionism)
• постмодернизм (postmodernism)