Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'photograph'

English Word: photograph

Key Russian Translations:

• фотография /fɐ.tɐˈɡra.fʲɪ.jə/ - [Formal, Informal; Singular; Used in everyday contexts for a still image]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly used in daily conversations, media, and literature, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary like "дом" for house.)

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary level according to CEFR; Suitable for beginners as it follows standard noun patterns, though pronunciation of the 'ф' sound may pose a slight challenge for English speakers.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

фотография: /fɐ.tɐˈɡra.fʲɪ.jə/

Note on фотография: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ('gra'), which is common in Russian words of foreign origin. Be mindful of the soft 'ф' sound, similar to the English 'f', and the palatalized 'фʲ' in some regional accents.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A picture or image created using a camera, often capturing a moment or scene.

Translation(s) & Context:

• фотография - Used in general, everyday contexts such as personal albums, news, or art; Suitable for both formal and informal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Я сделал фотографию красивого заката на пляже.

  I took a photograph of the beautiful sunset on the beach.

• Эта фотография была сделана во время нашей поездки в Москву.

  This photograph was taken during our trip to Moscow.

• В музее выставлена коллекция старинных фотографий.

  In the museum, there is a collection of old photographs on display.

• Она всегда носит с собой фотографию своей семьи.

  She always carries a photograph of her family with her.

• Современные смартфоны позволяют делать высококачественные фотографии.

  Modern smartphones allow for taking high-quality photographs.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Фотография is a feminine noun in the first declension group, which means it undergoes regular inflection based on case and number. It is a borrowed word from Greek via French, but follows standard Russian grammatical rules.

Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners. In plural, it can refer to a collection of photos.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: снимок (snap or shot; more informal and often used for quick photos), фото (shortened, colloquial form of фотография)
• Изображение (image; broader term, used when emphasizing visual representation rather than the photographic process)
• Antonyms: видео (video; as it represents moving images rather than still ones)

Related Phrases:

• Сделать фотографию - To take a photograph (Common in casual and professional photography contexts; implies the action of capturing an image).
• Цифровая фотография - Digital photography (Refers to modern, electronic methods of taking photos; contrasts with traditional film-based photography).
• Семейная фотография - Family photograph (Often used in personal or sentimental contexts, such as albums or reunions).

Usage Notes:

Фотография directly corresponds to the English "photograph" as a noun, but English speakers should note that in Russian, it's always feminine and requires agreement in gender, number, and case with adjectives and verbs (e.g., "красивая фотография" for "beautiful photograph"). It's versatile across formal and informal settings, but in technical contexts like art or journalism, you might prefer more specific terms. When choosing between synonyms like "снимок" for a quicker, less formal vibe, consider the audience—use "фотография" for general accuracy.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я видел фотография" instead of "Я видел фотографию" (accusative case after verbs of seeing).
  Correct: "Я видел фотографию." (Explanation: Russian requires the accusative case for direct objects, which changes the ending from -я to -ю.)
• Mistake: Confusing with "фотоаппарат" (camera), e.g., using "фотография" to mean the device itself.
  Correct: Use "фотоаппарат" for the camera and "фотография" for the result. (Explanation: This mix-up stems from similar roots, but they refer to different concepts.)
• Mistake: Forgetting plural forms in descriptions, e.g., "Мои фотографий" instead of "Мои фотографии."
  Correct: "Мои фотографии." (Explanation: The genitive plural requires the correct ending, -ий, to show possession.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, photography holds historical significance, particularly from the Soviet era, where state-controlled media used photographs for propaganda and documentation. Today, it's integral to family traditions, with albums (called "фотоальбомы") often preserved as heirlooms. Words like "фотография" can evoke nostalgia, especially in contexts like Victory Day celebrations, where old photos symbolize national memory.

Related Concepts:

• камера (camera)
• альбом (album, as in photo album)
• пейзаж (landscape, often photographed)