Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'picture'

English Word: picture

Key Russian Translations:

• картина /kɐˈrʲtinə/ - [Formal, used for artistic or painted images]
• изображение /ɪzɐbrəˈʐenʲɪje/ - [General, informal, often for digital or abstract images]
• фотография /fətəɡrəˈfʲijə/ - [Informal, specific to photographs]

Frequency: High - 'Картина' and 'изображение' are commonly used in everyday Russian, especially in media, art, and technology contexts.

Difficulty: A2 - Beginner level for basic nouns like these; however, 'изображение' may reach B1 if considering its declensions.

Pronunciation (Russian):

Картина: /kɐˈrʲtinə/

Изображение: /ɪzɐbrəˈʐenʲɪje/ - Note on изображение: The stress is on the third syllable; be careful with the soft 'ж' sound, which is palatalized.

Фотография: /fətəɡrəˈfʲijə/ - Note on фотография: Pronounce the 'ф' as a soft 'f' sound; common in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A visual representation, such as a painting or drawing

Translation(s) & Context:

• Картина - Used in formal or artistic contexts, such as describing a painting in a museum.
• Изображение - Applied in general contexts, like digital art or icons on a screen.

Usage Examples:

• Я повесил красивую картину на стену в гостиной.

  I hung a beautiful picture on the wall in the living room.

• Это изображение передаёт эмоции художника очень ярко.

  This picture conveys the artist's emotions very vividly.

• Картина в музее стоит миллионы долларов.

  The picture in the museum is worth millions of dollars.

• Изображение на экране было нечётким, поэтому я не смог его распознать.

  The picture on the screen was blurry, so I couldn't recognize it.

• Художник создал картину, вдохновлённую природой.

  The artist created a picture inspired by nature.

Meaning 2: A photograph or captured image

Translation(s) & Context:

• Фотография - Common in everyday contexts, like social media or family albums.
• Изображение - Used when referring to photos in a broader, technological sense.

Usage Examples:

• Я сделал фотографию заката на телефоне.

  I took a picture of the sunset on my phone.

• Это изображение из старого альбома напоминает мне о детстве.

  This picture from the old album reminds me of my childhood.

• Фотография на паспорте должна быть чёткой и формальной.

  The picture on the passport needs to be clear and formal.

• Изображение в приложении позволяет редактировать цвета.

  The picture in the app allows you to edit colors.

• Она загрузила фотографию с праздника в социальную сеть.

  She uploaded a picture from the party to social media.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are nouns and follow standard Russian declension patterns. 'Картина' is a feminine noun (3rd declension), while 'изображение' and 'фотография' are neuter nouns.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular forms, but 'фотография' can vary slightly in plural contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Изображение: рисунок (drawing) - More specific to sketches.
  • Картина: полотно (canvas) - Often used in artistic contexts.
  • Фотография: снимок (snapshot) - Informal for quick photos.
• Antonyms:
  • For any: абстракция (abstraction) - Lacks concrete visual representation.
  • Specifically for картина: пустота (emptiness) - Implies absence of image.

Related Phrases:

• Картина маслом - Oil painting; refers to a traditional art technique.
• Изображение на экране - Screen image; common in digital contexts like computers.
• Сделать фотографию - To take a picture; everyday phrase for photography.
• Живописная картина - Picturesque picture; implies a visually appealing scene.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'картина' is the most precise translation for 'picture' in artistic contexts, while 'изображение' suits general or technological uses. English speakers should note that Russian nouns are gendered and decline by case, so always adjust for grammar (e.g., use dative case after prepositions like 'в'). For informal settings, 'фотография' is preferred for photos. When choosing between translations, consider the context: formal vs. everyday.

• Always pair with adjectives for description, e.g., 'красивая картина' (beautiful picture).
• In spoken Russian, these words are neutral and can be used across regions, but regional dialects might favor synonyms.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'картина' with 'фотография', using 'картина' for photos, which sounds unnatural. Correct: Use 'фотография' for photographs. Error example: "Я сделал картину" (incorrect for "I took a picture") vs. Correct: "Я сделал фотографию". Explanation: 'Картина' implies a painted work, not a captured image, leading to misunderstandings in casual conversation.

• Error: Forgetting declension, e.g., saying "в картина" instead of "в картине". Correct: Always decline based on case.
• Error: Overusing 'изображение' in artistic talks; it can sound too technical.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'картина' often evokes the rich tradition of Russian art, such as works by artists like Ilya Repin. Pictures are central to Russian literature and folklore, symbolizing memory and history, as seen in museums like the Tretyakov Gallery. This cultural depth can add emotional weight to everyday uses of the word.

Related Concepts:

• Художество (artistry)
• Фотошоп (Photoshop, as a tool for editing pictures)
• Иллюстрация (illustration)
• Графика (graphics)