Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mist'

English Word: mist

Key Russian Translations:

• туман [tuˈman] - [Neutral, Singular, Used in weather descriptions]

Frequency: High (Commonly used in everyday conversation, literature, and weather reports in Russian-speaking regions)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1) - Straightforward for learners with basic vocabulary, but requires understanding of noun declensions

Pronunciation (Russian):

туман: [tuˈman]

Note on туман: The stress is on the second syllable ('man'), which is a common feature in Russian nouns. Be careful with the soft 'n' sound, which can be subtle for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter vowel length.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A thin fog or haze, often referring to atmospheric moisture that reduces visibility.

Translation(s) & Context:

• туман - Used in general contexts for natural weather phenomena, such as morning mist or fog in forests (e.g., in descriptions of landscapes or travel).

Usage Examples:

• Утром над рекой висит густой туман.

  In the morning, a thick mist hangs over the river.

• Из-за тумана самолёт задерживается.

  Due to the mist, the plane is delayed.

• В горах часто появляется лёгкий туман, скрывающий вершины.

  In the mountains, a light mist often appears, hiding the peaks.

• Туман рассеивается под лучами солнца.

  The mist dissipates under the rays of the sun.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Туман" is a masculine noun in the second declension, which means it undergoes regular inflection based on case, number, and gender. It is singular by default but can be pluralized in certain contexts. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The plural form "туманы" is less common and typically used for multiple instances of mist, such as in foggy areas. This follows standard Russian noun patterns without irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • дымка [ˈdɨmkə] - A lighter, more transient form of mist, often used for poetic or less dense fog.
  • мгла [ˈmɡla] - Similar to mist but implies a thicker, more obscuring haze, often with a mysterious connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • ясность [ˈjasnəsʲtʲ] - Clearness or clarity, indicating the absence of mist.
  • прозрачность [prəzraˈtʃnəsʲtʲ] - Transparency, used in contexts where visibility is unobstructed.

Related Phrases:

• в тумане - In the mist (Used to describe being lost or confused, e.g., metaphorically in decision-making).
• густой туман - Thick mist (Refers to dense fog that impairs vision significantly).
• рассеять туман - To dispel the mist (Figuratively means to clarify a situation or mystery).

Usage Notes:

• "Туман" directly corresponds to the English "mist" in weather contexts but can also carry metaphorical meanings in Russian literature, such as uncertainty or mystery. It is neutral in register and suitable for both formal and informal use.
• When using in sentences, pay attention to case agreement; for example, with prepositions like "в" (in), it changes to prepositional case: "в тумане".
• For learners, choose "туман" over synonyms like "мгла" if the context is literal and weather-related, as "мгла" often implies a more poetic or ominous tone.
• In spoken Russian, it's common in everyday scenarios like weather forecasts, so practice with regional variations in pronunciation.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "туман" with "дым" (smoke), which is [dɨm]. Error: Saying "дым" when describing morning mist. Correct: Use "туман" for atmospheric phenomena. Explanation: "Дым" refers to smoke from fire, not natural fog, leading to contextual inaccuracies.
• Overusing the nominative case. Error: Always saying "туман" regardless of sentence structure. Correct: Inflect properly, e.g., "из-за тумана" instead of "из-за туман". Explanation: Russian requires case changes for grammatical agreement, which English speakers might overlook.
• Misplacing stress. Error: Pronouncing as [ˈtuman] instead of [tuˈman]. Correct: Emphasize the second syllable. Explanation: Incorrect stress can make the word harder to understand in fast speech.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "туман" often symbolizes mystery or introspection in literature, such as in works by Pushkin or Chekhov, where it represents emotional fog or uncertainty. This reflects Russia's vast landscapes and unpredictable weather, evoking a sense of the sublime in art and poetry.

Related Concepts:

• дождь (rain)
• снег (snow)
• ветер (wind)