Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ornate'

English Word: ornate

Key Russian Translations:

• изысканный /ɪzɨˈskanːɨj/ - [Formal, often used in artistic or cultural contexts]
• роскошный /rɐˈskɔʂnɨj/ - [Informal, emphasizing luxury and extravagance]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, art descriptions, and everyday discussions about aesthetics)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections, but the vocabulary is not overly complex for learners at this level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

изысканный: /ɪzɨˈskanːɨj/

Note on изысканный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("skan"), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to Russian's variable stress patterns. Pronunciation may vary slightly in rapid speech.

роскошный: /rɐˈskɔʂnɨj/

Note on роскошный: The "щ" sound is a soft, hissing "sh" similar to English "sh" in "she", but with a more palatal quality. Be mindful of the rolling "r" at the beginning.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Elaborately decorated or adorned (primary meaning, referring to something richly detailed and ornate in design)

Translation(s) & Context:

• изысканный - Used in formal contexts like describing architecture, fashion, or fine art, where elegance and refinement are emphasized.
• роскошный - Applied in more casual or everyday contexts, such as luxury goods or interiors, highlighting opulence and excess.

Usage Examples:

• Этот дворец изысканный, с множеством резных украшений. (This palace is ornate, with numerous carved decorations.)

  This palace is ornate, with numerous carved decorations.

• Её платье роскошное, усыпанное драгоценными камнями. (Her dress is ornate, studded with precious stones.)

  Her dress is ornate, studded with precious stones.

• В музее выставлены изысканные ювелирные изделия эпохи Возрождения. (The museum displays ornate jewelry from the Renaissance era.)

  The museum displays ornate jewelry from the Renaissance era.

• Роскошный интерьер дома включает позолоченные элементы и бархатные ткани. (The ornate interior of the house includes gilded elements and velvet fabrics.)

  The ornate interior of the house includes gilded elements and velvet fabrics.

• Художник создал изысканный узор на потолке, вдохновленный природой. (The artist created an ornate pattern on the ceiling, inspired by nature.)

  The artist created an ornate pattern on the ceiling, inspired by nature.

Excessively elaborate or showy (secondary meaning, implying over-decoration)

Translation(s) & Context:

• роскошный - In negative contexts, such as criticizing something as gaudy or ostentatious.

Usage Examples:

• Его речь была роскошной, но слишком перегруженной метафорами. (His speech was ornate, but overly burdened with metaphors.)

  His speech was ornate, but overly burdened with metaphors.

• Изысканный дизайн мебели иногда кажется излишним в простом доме. (The ornate design of the furniture sometimes seems excessive in a simple home.)

  The ornate design of the furniture sometimes seems excessive in a simple home.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "изысканный" and "роскошный" are adjectives in Russian, which inflect for gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow the standard adjectival paradigm, agreeing with the nouns they modify. They are not irregular but require attention to endings.

Note: These adjectives do not have suppletive forms and follow regular patterns, but they soften (palatalize) in certain cases, which is standard for Russian adjectives.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • элегантный (elegant; more focused on grace than excess)
  • утонченный (refined; implies subtlety and sophistication)
• Antonyms:
  • простой (simple; basic and unadorned)
  • скромный (modest; humble and restrained)

Related Phrases:

• изысканный дизайн - (Ornate design; refers to elaborate and sophisticated visual arrangements in art or architecture)
• роскошный интерьер - (Ornate interior; used for describing lavishly decorated spaces in homes or buildings)
• украшенный орнаментом - (Adorned with ornaments; a phrase for items decorated in an ornate style, often in traditional crafts)

Usage Notes:

"Ornate" in English often carries a neutral or positive connotation of beauty through detail, but in Russian, "изысканный" is typically positive and formal, while "роскошный" can imply excess and is more casual. Choose "изысканный" for artistic or cultural contexts to match the English subtlety, and "роскошный" for material luxury. Be aware of gender agreement: always inflect the adjective to match the noun's gender, number, and case. For example, use "изысканная" with feminine nouns like "картина" (painting).

• In formal writing, "изысканный" pairs well with nouns related to culture (e.g., "изысканный стиль").
• Avoid overusing "роскошный" in professional contexts, as it may sound informal or hyperbolic.

Common Errors:

• English learners often forget to inflect adjectives, e.g., saying "изысканный дом" for a feminine noun like "картина" instead of "изысканная картина". Correct: Always adjust the ending (e.g., "изысканная" for feminine).
• Mixing up "изысканный" and "роскошный": Using "роскошный" in a refined context might sound too extravagant. Error example: "Изысканный машина" (wrong inflection and word choice); Correct: "Роскошная машина" if emphasizing luxury, or "Изысканный дизайн машины" for elegance.
• Overlooking stress in pronunciation: Mispronouncing /ɪzɨˈskanːɨj/ by stressing the wrong syllable, which can alter meaning or comprehension.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "изысканный" often evoke the opulence of imperial architecture, such as the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, which features intricate designs symbolizing power and refinement. "Роскошный" might reference Soviet-era luxury goods or modern consumerism, highlighting a contrast between historical elegance and contemporary excess.

Related Concepts:

• дизайн (design)
• искусство (art)
• украшение (decoration)