Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'muff'

English Word: muff

Key Russian Translations:

• муфта [ˈmuftə] - [Formal, Historical; used for a warm hand covering]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in historical or fashion contexts, but not everyday modern Russian)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and vocabulary related to clothing, but not overly complex)

Pronunciation (Russian):

муфта: [ˈmuftə]

Note on муфта: The stress is on the first syllable. The 'у' is pronounced as a short 'u' sound, similar to "book" in English. Be cautious with the soft 'т' at the end, which can vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A warm, tube-like covering for the hands (historical clothing item)

Translation(s) & Context:

• муфта - Used in formal, literary, or historical contexts to describe a muff as an accessory, often associated with 19th-century fashion.

Usage Examples:

• Она надела муфту, чтобы согреть руки в холодный зимний день.

  She put on the muff to warm her hands on a cold winter day.

• В музее выставлена старинная муфта из меха.

  In the museum, an old fur muff is on display.

• Муфта была популярна среди дам в викторианскую эпоху.

  The muff was popular among ladies in the Victorian era.

• Девушка держала муфту, украшенную кружевами, на балу.

  The girl held a lace-decorated muff at the ball.

Meaning 2: Informal sense of "to muff" as in making an error (if applicable, based on English usage)

Translation(s) & Context:

• провалить - Used in informal contexts for failing at something, e.g., in sports or tasks.

Usage Examples:

• Он провалил удар по мячу в финале матча.

  He muffed the ball strike in the final match.

• Из-за нервов она провалила презентацию.

  Due to nerves, she muffed the presentation.

• Команда провалила задание из-за мелкой ошибки.

  The team muffed the task because of a minor mistake.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For the primary translation "муфта" (a feminine noun), it follows standard first-declension patterns in Russian. It is a regular noun with changes based on case and number. Below is a table of its inflections:

For "провалить" (a verb, if considered for the second meaning), it is a regular first-conjugation verb. Example inflections: Present tense - проваливаю (I fail), проваливаешь (you fail), etc. It changes based on tense, aspect, and person, but is not irregular.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • муфточка (a diminutive form, implying a smaller or cuter muff)
  • рукавица (for a glove-like hand warmer, with a slight difference in implying more coverage)
• Antonyms:
  • перчатки (gloves, as an alternative hand-warming item, but not directly opposite)

Related Phrases:

• меховая муфта - A fur muff; used in contexts of luxury or winter fashion. (Refers to a muff made of fur, common in historical attire.)
• носить муфту - To wear a muff; typically in formal or period-piece descriptions. (Implies using it as an accessory.)
• провалить дело - To muff a job; informal phrase for failing a task. (Equivalent to making an error in English.)

Usage Notes:

"Муфта" directly corresponds to the English "muff" in the context of a hand warmer, but it's more archaic in modern Russian and often appears in literature or historical discussions. Use it in formal or descriptive settings; avoid in casual conversation. For the verb sense like "to muff," opt for "провалить" in informal scenarios. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as "муфта" is feminine. When choosing between translations, select based on context: fashion vs. error-making.

• Grammar note: Always decline "муфта" according to its case, e.g., "в муфте" (in the muff) for locative contexts.
• Regional note: This word is more common in European Russian than in Siberian dialects, where warmer clothing terms might vary.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "муфта" with "муфточка," using the diminutive incorrectly in serious contexts. For example:

• Error: "Она надела муфточку на прогулку" (implying a cute, childlike item when a standard muff is meant).
• Correct: "Она надела муфту на прогулку" (for a proper adult muff). Explanation: "Муфточка" adds a affectionate tone, which might not fit formal descriptions.
• Another error: Misdeclining the noun, e.g., saying "муфта" in genitive as "муфту" instead of "муфты." Correct form: Use "муфты" for possession.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "муфта" evokes images of 19th-century elegance, often seen in literature like Tolstoy's works, where it's associated with upper-class women. It symbolizes warmth and femininity in harsh winters, reflecting historical fashion influences from Western Europe.

Related Concepts:

• перчатки (gloves)
• шарф (scarf)
• пальто (coat)