Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'odour'

English Word: odour

Key Russian Translations:

• запах [zɐˈpax] - [Common, Neutral]
• аромат [ɐrɐˈmat] - [Formal, Used for pleasant smells]
• вонь [vonʲ] - [Informal, Used for unpleasant smells]

Frequency: High (The word "запах" is commonly used in everyday Russian conversation, media, and literature.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level; straightforward for English learners due to its basic concept and regular forms, though "аромат" and "вонь" may vary slightly in nuance.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

запах: [zɐˈpax]

аромат: [ɐrɐˈmat]

вонь: [vonʲ]

Note on запах: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'х' sound, which is a guttural fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish "loch".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A scent or smell emanating from something.

Translation(s) & Context:

• запах - Used in neutral or general contexts, such as describing everyday smells in homes, nature, or food. (e.g., In casual conversation about environments.)
• аромат - Applied to pleasant or refined smells, like perfumes or flowers. (e.g., In formal or poetic descriptions.)
• вонь - Reserved for strong, unpleasant odors, often in informal or expressive speech. (e.g., In complaints about bad smells.)

Usage Examples:

• Русский: В кухне витал приятный запах свежего хлеба.

  English: In the kitchen, there was a pleasant smell of fresh bread. (This example shows "запах" in a positive, everyday context, highlighting its use with adjectives.)

• Русский: Этот аромат роз наполнил весь сад весной.

  English: This aroma of roses filled the entire garden in spring. (Demonstrates "аромат" in a poetic or descriptive setting, emphasizing pleasant scents.)

• Русский: От мусора в подвале исходила ужасная вонь.

  English: A terrible stench was coming from the garbage in the basement. (Illustrates "вонь" in an informal, negative context, often with strong emotions.)

• Русский: Я не переношу запах сигаретного дыма в помещении.

  English: I can't stand the smell of cigarette smoke indoors. (Shows "запах" in a personal preference context, with potential for negation or intensity.)

• Русский: Аромат кофе по утрам бодрит меня лучше, чем будильник.

  English: The aroma of coffee in the mornings energizes me more than an alarm clock. (Highlights "аромат" in a metaphorical or habitual usage.)

Secondary Meaning: Figurative or metaphorical sense, e.g., implying a trace or essence.

Translation(s) & Context:

• запах - In metaphorical uses, like "the scent of scandal" in English. (e.g., In literary or journalistic contexts.)

Usage Examples:

• Русский: В этой истории чувствуется запах скандала.

  English: This story has the smell of scandal. (Figurative use of "запах" to imply an underlying issue.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Запах" is a masculine noun in the second declension. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns. "Аромат" is also masculine and regular, while "вонь" is feminine and has its own inflections.

Note: These words do not change for gender but follow standard Russian declension rules. If unchanged in certain contexts, such as in fixed phrases, it will be specified in usage notes.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • аромат (similar to "fragrance", often for positive smells)
  • вонь (for negative smells, but more intense than "запах")
  • дух (more poetic, implying a subtle essence)
• Antonyms:
  • свежесть (freshness, implying the absence of odor)
  • чистота (cleanliness, contrasting with unpleasant smells)

Related Phrases:

• Приятный запах - A pleasant smell; used in positive descriptions of environments or products.
• Плохой аромат - Bad aroma; a polite way to refer to an unpleasant scent in formal settings.
• Запах дождя - The smell of rain; a common phrase evoking freshness and nature.
• Вонь отходов - Stench of waste; used in discussions about pollution or hygiene.

Usage Notes:

"Запах" directly corresponds to the English "odour" in most neutral contexts, making it a straightforward translation for beginners. However, choose "аромат" for refined or positive connotations to match formal English equivalents like "fragrance". "Вонь" is informal and should be avoided in polite conversation, similar to how English speakers might avoid vulgar terms. Grammatically, these nouns require appropriate case agreement with prepositions (e.g., "в запахе" for "in the smell"). When multiple translations exist, select based on context: use "запах" for general purposes and "вонь" for emphasis on negativity.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "запах" interchangeably with "аромат" in negative contexts. Correct: "Запах" is neutral, but "вонь" is better for unpleasant smells. Example of error: Saying "приятный вонь" (which is incorrect because "вонь" is inherently negative). Correct usage: "Приятный запах". Explanation: "Вонь" implies disgust, so it doesn't pair well with positive adjectives.

• Error: Forgetting declension in sentences, e.g., saying "Я чувствую запах" instead of "Я чувствую запах" (actually correct here, but in other cases like genitive: "без запаха" not "без запах"). Correct: Always check the case based on sentence structure. Explanation: Russian requires precise inflection, unlike English, which can lead to awkward phrasing for learners.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, smells like the "запах свежего хлеба" (smell of fresh bread) often evoke nostalgia and home life, as seen in literature by authors like Chekhov. Conversely, "вонь" might reference urban pollution in modern contexts, reflecting historical industrialization and environmental challenges in Russia.

Related Concepts:

• вкус (taste)
• ощущение (sensation)
• арома (aroma, in a broader sense)