Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'nose'

English Word: nose

Key Russian Translations:

• нос /nos/ - [Formal, commonly used in everyday contexts]

Frequency: High (This word is frequently used in daily Russian conversation and writing.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level; straightforward for English speakers due to its basic vocabulary status.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

нос: /nos/ (The 'o' is pronounced as in "no" in English, with a short vowel sound.)

Note on нос: The pronunciation is relatively simple, but be aware of the final consonant, which can be devoiced in fast speech, sounding like /nos̪/ in some dialects.

Audio: Play pronunciation audio [Insert audio player or link here]

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: The anatomical part of the face used for breathing and smelling

Translation(s) & Context:

• нос - Used in literal, everyday contexts to refer to the human or animal nose, especially in formal or neutral settings like medical discussions or descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• У меня сильно забит нос из-за простуды.

  My nose is really stuffed up because of a cold.

• Собака нюхает всё своим носом.

  The dog is sniffing everything with its nose.

• Врач осмотрел нос пациента.

  The doctor examined the patient's nose.

• Его нос покраснел от мороза.

  His nose turned red from the cold.

• Дети трогают нос куклы во время игры.

  The children are touching the doll's nose during play.

Idiomatic or figurative meaning: Used metaphorically, e.g., in expressions related to curiosity or intrusion

Translation(s) & Context:

• нос - In informal contexts, it can imply "nose" in phrases like "пытать носом" (to poke one's nose), meaning to be nosy.

Usage Examples:

• Не суй свой нос в чужие дела!

  Don't poke your nose into other people's business!

• Она всегда суёт нос в семейные секреты.

  She always sticks her nose into family secrets.

• Его нос везде: он знает все новости.

  His nose is everywhere: he knows all the news.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Нос" is a masculine noun in Russian, and it follows the standard third declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. It has regular inflections based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it easy for beginners to learn.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • нюх (nyukh) - More specific to the sense of smell, often used in contexts related to detection or scent.
  • обонятельный орган (obonjatel'nyy organ) - A more formal, scientific term meaning "olfactory organ."
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "нос" is a concrete noun without common opposites.

Related Phrases:

• Сунуть нос куда не следует - A phrase meaning "to stick one's nose where it doesn't belong," used for nosy behavior; implies intrusion or curiosity.
• Под носом - Literally "under the nose," meaning something very close or obvious; e.g., in contexts of proximity or awareness.
• Вытереть нос - Means "to wipe one's nose," but idiomatically can imply dealing with a minor issue or cleaning up after oneself.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "нос" directly corresponds to the English "nose" in most literal contexts, making it a straightforward translation for beginners. However, be mindful of its grammatical gender (masculine), which affects adjective agreements and declensions. In informal speech, it's commonly used in everyday conversations about health or anatomy. When choosing between translations, "нос" is the most versatile and neutral option, while "нюх" is better for smell-related contexts. Avoid overusing it in figurative expressions without understanding the cultural nuances, as Russian idioms can carry a playful or critical tone.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "нос" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я вижу нос" instead of "Я вижу носа" in genitive contexts (e.g., "I see of the nose").

  Correct: "Я вижу носа у собаки" (I see the dog's nose). Explanation: Russian requires proper case agreement; here, genitive is needed for possession.

• Error: Confusing "нос" with "нюх," leading to misuse in scent-related sentences, e.g., saying "Мой нос хорош" when meaning smell ability.

  Correct: "Мой нюх хорош" (My sense of smell is good). Explanation: "Нос" refers to the physical organ, not the function, so use "нюх" for olfactory senses to avoid inaccuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the nose is often featured in folklore and idioms, symbolizing curiosity or mischief, as in the phrase "сунуть нос," which echoes similar expressions in English. Historically, references to the nose appear in Russian literature, like in Pushkin's works, where it might represent social intrusion or personal flaws, reflecting a broader Slavic tradition of using body parts in metaphorical language.

Related Concepts:

• нюх
• обоняние
• лицо