Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'moisten'

English Word: moisten

Key Russian Translations:

• увлажнить [ʊvlɐʐnʲɪtʲ] - [Verb, Formal, Used in contexts like skincare or cooking]

Frequency: Medium (This verb is commonly used in specific contexts such as daily routines or technical descriptions, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners need to understand verb conjugations and perfective aspects in Russian, which can be challenging for beginners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

увлажнить: [ʊvlɐʐnʲɪtʲ]

Note on увлажнить: The pronunciation includes a soft 'н' sound [nʲ], which is common in Russian verbs. Pay attention to the stress on the second syllable for natural speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To make something slightly wet or add moisture

Translation(s) & Context:

• увлажнить - Typically used in formal or technical contexts, such as in beauty products, cooking, or environmental discussions (e.g., humidifying air).

Usage Examples:

• Я увлажнил кожу лица специальным кремом перед выходом на улицу.

  I moistened my facial skin with a special cream before going outside.

• Чтобы тесто не высохло, нужно увлажнить его водой.

  To prevent the dough from drying out, you need to moisten it with water.

• Врачи рекомендуют увлажнить воздух в комнате для улучшения дыхания.

  Doctors recommend moistening the air in the room to improve breathing.

• Она аккуратно увлажнила губы бальзамом, чтобы они не потрескались.

  She carefully moistened her lips with balm so they wouldn't crack.

• Во время полета стюардесса увлажнила салфетку для пассажира.

  During the flight, the flight attendant moistened a napkin for the passenger.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Увлажнить is a perfective verb in Russian, meaning it describes a completed action. It follows the standard conjugation patterns for first-conjugation verbs. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This verb does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward once the patterns are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • смочить [smɐˈt͡ɕitʲ] - Similar but often implies a quicker or more superficial wetting; used in everyday contexts.
  • намочить [nɐˈmot͡ɕitʲ] - Emphasizes soaking or thorough moistening; common in casual speech.
• Antonyms:
  • высушить [vɨˈsuʂɨtʲ] - To dry out completely.
  • осушить [ɐˈsuʂɨtʲ] - To drain or dehydrate.

Related Phrases:

• увлажнить воздух - To humidify the air; commonly used in discussions about indoor climate control.
• увлажнить губы - To moisten the lips; often in beauty or health contexts.
• увлажнить тесто - To moisten the dough; a phrase from cooking recipes.

Usage Notes:

Увлажнить is a precise translation for "moisten" when the action is intentional and results in a light addition of moisture, such as in skincare or environmental adjustments. It is typically formal and avoids slang, making it suitable for written Russian or professional settings. Unlike its synonyms like "смочить," which might imply a faster action, choose "увлажнить" for processes that involve gradual or careful application. Be aware of Russian's aspect system: "увлажнить" is perfective, so it's used for completed actions, whereas an imperfective form like "увлажнять" would describe ongoing processes.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using the infinitive form "увлажнить" in places where a conjugated form is needed, e.g., saying "Я увлажнить кожу" instead of "Я увлажнил кожу."
  Correct: "Я увлажнил кожу" (I moistened my skin). Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with the subject in person, number, and tense.
• Mistake: Confusing it with "влажный" (an adjective meaning "wet"), leading to incorrect sentence structure, e.g., "Я увлажнить влажный" instead of "Я увлажнил кожу."
  Correct: Use "увлажнить" as a verb and pair it appropriately. Explanation: "Влажный" describes a state, not an action, so they serve different grammatical roles.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "увлажнить" are frequently associated with health and wellness, especially in the context of harsh winters where skin dryness is common. This reflects a broader emphasis on practical self-care in everyday life, as seen in traditional remedies and modern cosmetics.

Related Concepts:

• влажный (wet)
• гигроскопичный (hygroscopic)
• увлажнитель (humidifier)