Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'narcissus'

English Word: narcissus

Key Russian Translations:

• нарцисс /nɐrˈt͡sʲis/ - [Formal, used for the flower; Singular]
• нарциссовый /nɐrˈt͡sʲisəvɨj/ - [Formal, adjective form; Plural or descriptive contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in botanical discussions, literature, and gardening contexts, but not everyday conversation).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level should grasp basic noun forms and vocabulary related to nature, though inflection patterns may require practice. For 'нарциссовый', it might be B2 due to adjective usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

нарцисс: /nɐrˈt͡sʲis/ (Stress on the second syllable; the 'ц' is a voiceless alveolar affricate, similar to 'ts' in 'cats').

нарциссовый: /nɐrˈt͡sʲisəvɨj/ (Note on нарциссовый: The ending '-овый' softens the pronunciation, with a focus on the vowel shift in adjectives; common in formal descriptions.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A type of spring flower (botanical reference)

Translation(s) & Context:

• нарцисс - Used in formal or scientific contexts to refer to the Narcissus genus of plants, often in gardening, poetry, or nature descriptions.
• нарциссовый - Applied when describing something related to or resembling the narcissus flower, such as colors or scents.

Usage Examples:

• В саду расцвели яркие нарциссы, предвещая приход весны.

  In the garden, bright narcissuses bloomed, heralding the arrival of spring.

• Её платье было нарциссового цвета, как будто вдохновлено цветами из греческой мифологии.

  Her dress was of a narcissus color, as if inspired by flowers from Greek mythology.

• Нарциссы часто сажают в парках, чтобы создать живописный ландшафт.

  Narcissuses are often planted in parks to create a picturesque landscape.

• В букете преобладали нарциссы, символизирующие нарциссизм в литературе.

  Narcissuses predominated in the bouquet, symbolizing narcissism in literature.

• Этот нарциссовый аромат парфюма напоминает о полях в мае.

  This narcissus-scented perfume reminds one of the fields in May.

Meaning 2: Figurative reference to self-absorption (from mythology, though less direct)

Translation(s) & Context:

• нарцисс - Occasionally used metaphorically in literary contexts to allude to self-love, drawing from the Narcissus myth.

Usage Examples:

• Он был настоящим нарциссом, всегда любующимся своим отражением в зеркале.

  He was a true narcissus, always admiring his reflection in the mirror.

• В поэме нарцисс олицетворяет гордыню и одиночество.

  In the poem, the narcissus personifies pride and loneliness.

• Её нарциссизм проявлялся в бесконечных селфи.

  Her narcissism manifested in endless selfies. (Note: While 'нарциссизм' is a related term, 'нарцисс' can be used poetically.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Нарцисс' is a masculine noun (3rd declension), which follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns. It is regular but may vary based on case and number. Below is a table for its inflections:

For 'нарциссовый' (adjective), it follows standard adjective inflections, which are regular and agree in gender, number, and case. It does not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • цветок нарцисса (more descriptive synonym, used in poetic contexts)
  • весенний цветок (general term for spring flowers, with subtle differences in specificity)
• Antonyms:
  • скромный цветок (implies modesty, contrasting the mythical connotations of narcissism)

Related Phrases:

• Цветы нарцисса - Flowers of narcissus; A common phrase in botanical or decorative contexts, referring to the plant's blooms.
• Нарцисс в мифологии - Narcissus in mythology; Used when discussing Greek myths and their cultural impact.
• Нарциссовый букет - Narcissus bouquet; A fixed phrase for floral arrangements, often symbolizing renewal.

Usage Notes:

The Russian term 'нарцисс' directly corresponds to the English 'narcissus' as a flower, but it can carry metaphorical weight from Greek mythology, similar to English. Use 'нарцисс' in formal or literary settings; for everyday talk, opt for more general terms like 'цветок'. When choosing between translations, 'нарцисс' is preferred for precision in botany, while 'нарциссовый' is ideal for adjectives. Be mindful of case agreements in sentences, as Russian requires nouns to inflect based on their role.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'нарцисс' without proper inflection, e.g., saying "Я видел нарцисс" in a context requiring genitive like "Я видел цветок нарцисса".
  Correct: Ensure the noun agrees in case, e.g., "Я видел нарцисса" (accusative). This error often stems from English's lack of cases.
• Mistake: Confusing 'нарцисс' with 'нарциссизм' (narcissism), leading to misuse in psychological contexts.
  Correct: 'Нарцисс' refers to the flower; for the personality trait, use 'нарциссизм'. Example: Wrong - "Он нарцисс" (implying the flower); Right - "Он страдает нарциссизмом".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'нарцисс' evokes the Greek myth of Narcissus, symbolizing vanity and unrequited love, often featured in literature and art. It appears in poetry by Pushkin or in spring festivals, representing rebirth, but with a cautionary undertone about self-absorption, which resonates in modern discussions of social media.

Related Concepts:

• тюльпан (tulip)
• ирис (iris)
• нарциссизм (narcissism)