Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'nightgown'

English Word: nightgown

Key Russian Translations:

• ночная рубашка /ˈnoʧnəjə rʊˈbaʃkə/ - [Formal, commonly used in everyday clothing contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear regularly in discussions about clothing and daily routines, but not in casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and vocabulary related to apparel.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ночная рубашка: /ˈnoʧnəjə rʊˈbaʃkə/

Note on ночная рубашка: The stress falls on the first syllable of "ночная" (/ˈnoʧnəjə/), and the "ш" in "рубашка" is a soft, palatalized sound. Pronunciation may vary slightly by regional dialect.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A loose garment worn by women in bed

Translation(s) & Context:

• ночная рубашка - Used in formal or everyday contexts when referring to women's sleepwear, such as in clothing stores or personal routines.

Usage Examples:

• Я надеваю ночную рубашку перед сном, чтобы чувствовать себя комфортно.

  I put on my nightgown before bed to feel comfortable.

• Её новая ночная рубашка сделана из шелка и выглядит очень элегантно.

  Her new nightgown is made of silk and looks very elegant.

• В холодные ночи ночная рубашка с длинными рукавами помогает сохранить тепло.

  On cold nights, a nightgown with long sleeves helps keep warm.

• Моя бабушка всегда хранит свою старую ночную рубашку в шкафу как воспоминание.

  My grandmother always keeps her old nightgown in the closet as a memento.

• После тяжелого дня, надеть ночную рубашку — это настоящий отдых.

  After a tough day, putting on a nightgown is real relaxation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Ночная рубашка" is a noun phrase where "рубашка" is a feminine first-declension noun. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns. Below is a table outlining the declensions for "рубашка" (the core noun), as "ночная" is an adjective that agrees with it in gender, number, and case.

Note: The adjective "ночная" changes to agree with the noun in all forms, making this a regular inflection. There are no irregular forms for this word.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пеньюар (peignoir) - Often used for more luxurious or robe-like nightwear; implies elegance.
  • спальная рубашка (sleeping shirt) - A more general term, sometimes interchangeable in informal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • дневная одежда (daytime clothing) - Refers to outfits worn during the day, contrasting with sleepwear.

Related Phrases:

• шелковая ночная рубашка - A silk nightgown; often used in contexts of luxury or fashion.
• ночная рубашка с кружевами - A nightgown with lace; implies decorative elements in women's apparel.
• покупать ночную рубашку - To buy a nightgown; a common phrase in shopping scenarios.

Usage Notes:

"Ночная рубашка" directly corresponds to "nightgown" as a feminine sleepwear item, but it's more formal in Russian and often used in written or descriptive contexts. In everyday speech, Russians might opt for simpler terms like "пижама" if referring to general sleepwear. Be mindful of gender agreement when using this in sentences, as it's a feminine noun. If multiple translations exist, choose "пеньюар" for more elegant connotations.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "ночная рубашка" with "рубашка" alone, which means a general shirt and not specifically nightwear. Incorrect: "Я ношу рубашку на ночь" (I wear a shirt at night). Correct: "Я ношу ночную рубашку на ночь." Explanation: Adding "ночная" specifies the context to avoid ambiguity.

• Improper declension, e.g., using the nominative in all cases. Incorrect: "Купить ночная рубашка" (instead of "Купить ночную рубашку"). Correct: Ensure accusative form for direct objects. Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English learners often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "ночная рубашка" is often associated with traditional or vintage clothing, evoking images of historical attire in literature like Tolstoy's works. It may carry connotations of modesty and comfort, differing from modern Western sleepwear trends, and is sometimes featured in folk tales as a symbol of domestic life.

Related Concepts:

• пижама (pajamas)
• халат (robe)
• спальное белье (bed linen)