Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'opal'

English Word: opal

Key Russian Translations:

• Опал [ɐˈpaɫ] - [Formal, Used in contexts related to minerals and jewelry]

Frequency: Low (The word is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in specialized contexts like geology or gemology.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; The word is a straightforward noun with minimal inflection, making it accessible for new learners of Russian.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Опал: [ɐˈpaɫ]

Note on Опал: The stress is on the second syllable. The 'л' at the end is a soft consonant, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the absence of similar sounds in English. Practice with native speakers for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Gemstone (Referring to the precious stone known for its iridescence)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Опал - Used in formal or scientific discussions about minerals, jewelry, or natural history. This translation is direct and applies to both common and rare varieties of the stone.

Usage Examples:

• В музее выставлен редкий опал из Австралии.

  In the museum, a rare opal from Australia is on display.

• Опал часто используется в ювелирных изделиях за свою игру цвета.

  Opal is often used in jewelry for its play of colors.

• Мой дед коллекционировал опалы со всего мира.

  My grandfather collected opals from all over the world.

• В ювелирном магазине я увидел ожерелье с опалом.

  In the jewelry store, I saw a necklace with an opal.

• Опал символизирует творчество и вдохновение в некоторых культурах.

  Opal symbolizes creativity and inspiration in some cultures.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Опал is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the second declension. It follows standard noun inflection patterns for gender, number, and case. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: The word is regular in its inflections, with no irregular forms. Always adjust based on the sentence's grammatical requirements.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Иризирующий камень (Iridescent stone) - Used when emphasizing the stone's optical properties; less specific than "опал".
  • Драгоценный минерал (Precious mineral) - A broader term for gemstones in general.
• Antonyms:
  • Обычный камень (Ordinary stone) - Refers to non-precious rocks, highlighting the contrast in value.

Related Phrases:

• Драгоценный опал - Precious opal; Refers to high-quality opals used in fine jewelry.
• Опал Австралии - Australian opal; A common phrase for opals sourced from Australia, known for their quality.
• Игра опала - Play of opal; Describes the optical effect of color changes in the stone.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "опал" directly corresponds to the English "opal" as a noun for the gemstone. It is typically used in formal or technical contexts, such as discussions about geology, jewelry, or collectibles. Be mindful of its masculine gender in Russian sentences, which affects adjective agreements (e.g., "красивый опал" for "beautiful opal"). When choosing between translations, "опал" is the most precise; avoid using broader terms unless specifying a type. In everyday speech, it's rare, so learners might encounter it in written texts or specialized vocabulary lists.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "опала" as the nominative form (incorrectly treating it as feminine). Correct: "Опал" is masculine, so say "Этот опал красивый" instead of "Эта опала красивая". Explanation: Russian nouns have grammatical gender, and mistaking it can lead to agreement errors in adjectives and verbs.

• Error: Forgetting to inflect for case, e.g., saying "Я вижу опал" when it should be "Я вижу опала" in genitive contexts. Correct: Adjust based on the preposition or sentence structure, like "Я ищу опала" (I'm looking for an opal). Explanation: Russian requires case changes, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, opals are not as symbolically laden as in some Western traditions (e.g., associated with bad luck in some folklore), but they are valued for their beauty in jewelry and art. Historically, opals from regions like Australia have been imported and featured in Russian imperial collections, symbolizing exotic luxury and natural wonder.

Related Concepts:

• Алмаз (Diamond)
• Рубин (Ruby)
• Янтарь (Amber)