Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pendant'

English Word: pendant

Key Russian Translations:

• кулон [ˈkulɐn] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday contexts like jewelry]
• подвеска [pɐdˈvʲeskə] - [Formal, often used in more technical or descriptive settings]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations appear regularly in conversations about accessories and fashion, but not as common as basic vocabulary like "house" or "car").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and vocabulary related to objects, but not overly complex for learners at this stage).

Pronunciation (Russian):

кулон: [ˈkulɐn]

Note on кулон: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the soft "l" sound, which is common in Russian and may differ from English "l".

подвеска: [pɐdˈvʲeskə]

Note on подвеска: The "вʲ" represents a palatalized "v", which can be tricky for English speakers; it sounds softer and more forward in the mouth.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A hanging ornament, typically worn as jewelry (e.g., a necklace piece)

Translation(s) & Context:

• кулон - Used in casual, everyday discussions about personal accessories or fashion.
• подвеска - Applied in more formal or descriptive contexts, such as in art, antiques, or technical descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Она подарила мне красивый кулон на день рождения.

  She gave me a beautiful pendant for my birthday. (This example shows the word in a personal, gift-giving context.)

• Этот кулон сделан из золота и украшен драгоценными камнями.

  This pendant is made of gold and adorned with precious stones. (Illustrates descriptive use in material discussions.)

• В музее выставлена древняя подвеска из серебра.

  In the museum, there is an ancient pendant made of silver on display. (Demonstrates formal usage in historical or cultural settings.)

• Я ношу подвеску, чтобы напоминать о семейных традициях.

  I wear a pendant to remind me of family traditions. (Shows emotional or symbolic context.)

• Кулон сломался, и мне пришлось отнести его в ювелирный магазин.

  The pendant broke, and I had to take it to the jewelry store. (Example of practical, problem-solving usage.)

Meaning 2: A hanging object or fixture (e.g., in a non-jewelry context, like a light fixture)

Translation(s) & Context:

• подвеска - Used when referring to suspended objects in technical or architectural contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Потолочная подвеска освещает всю комнату.

  The ceiling pendant lights up the entire room. (This highlights usage in home decor or lighting.)

• В автомобиле есть подвеска для мобильного телефона.

  In the car, there is a pendant for the mobile phone. (Shows application in everyday gadgets.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "кулон" and "подвеска" are nouns. "Кулон" is a masculine noun (мужской род), and "подвеска" is a feminine noun (женский род). Russian nouns inflect based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining their basic inflections:

Note: These follow standard first-declension patterns for masculine and feminine nouns. "Кулон" does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: подвес (podves) - Similar to подвеска but more specific to hanging fixtures; амулет (amulet) - Often used for pendants with protective or symbolic meaning.
• Antonyms: неподвесной объект (nepodvesnoy ob'ekt) - Not directly a single word, but concepts like fixed or stationary objects, e.g., крепление (kreplenie) for something attached rather than hanging.

Related Phrases:

• Золотой кулон - A golden pendant; commonly used in jewelry shopping contexts.
• Подвеска на цепочке - Pendant on a chain; refers to wearable accessories with additional details.
• Драгоценная подвеска - Precious pendant; used in formal or valuable item descriptions.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "кулон" is the most direct and idiomatic translation for "pendant" in jewelry contexts, while "подвеска" is preferred for broader or more formal applications. English speakers should note that Russian nouns change based on case, so always consider the sentence structure (e.g., use genitive for possession: "кулона матери" for "mother's pendant"). Choose between translations based on context: informal for daily talk, formal for written or professional use. Be aware of gender agreements in adjectives, e.g., "красивый кулон" (beautiful masculine pendant) vs. "красивая подвеска" (beautiful feminine pendant).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "кулон" interchangeably with "подвеска" without considering context. For example, an English speaker might say "кулон" for a light fixture, which is incorrect.

  Correct Usage: Use "подвеска" for non-jewelry items. Example: Incorrect - "Светильник - это кулон." Correct - "Светильник - это подвеска." Explanation: "Кулон" specifically implies jewelry, leading to confusion in technical contexts.

• Error: Forgetting noun declensions, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Example: Incorrect - "Я видел кулон на витрине" (correct), but then incorrectly saying "Я взял кулон" as "Я взял кулонов" in plural contexts.

  Correct Usage: Always decline properly, e.g., "Я взял кулон" for singular accusative. Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English lacks, so learners must practice this to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, pendants like "кулон" often carry symbolic meaning, such as in Orthodox traditions where they might feature religious icons (e.g., a cross pendant). Historically, such items were talismans or family heirlooms, reflecting personal or national identity, which adds emotional depth beyond their decorative purpose.

Related Concepts:

• амулет
• цепочка
• украшение