Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pockmark'

English Word: pockmark

Key Russian Translations:

• ямка /ˈjamkə/ - [Informal, commonly used for small pits or scars on the skin]
• оспина /ɐˈspinə/ - [Formal, Medical, specifically referring to scars from diseases like smallpox]

Frequency: Low - This term and its translations are not commonly used in everyday conversation but may appear in medical, historical, or descriptive contexts.

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1) - Requires basic knowledge of Russian nouns and vocabulary related to health; for "ямка", it's straightforward, but "оспина" may need familiarity with medical terms.

Pronunciation (Russian):

ямка: /ˈjamkə/ - The stress is on the first syllable; the "я" sounds like "ya" in "yard".

Note on ямка: Be cautious with the soft "к" sound, which can vary slightly in casual speech.

оспина: /ɐˈspinə/ - Stress on the second syllable; the "о" is pronounced as a neutral vowel.

Note on оспина: This word may have a more formal tone, and pronunciation can soften in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A scar or pit on the skin, often from disease

Translation(s) & Context:

• ямка - Used in informal contexts for minor skin imperfections, such as those from acne or minor injuries.
• оспина - Applied in formal or medical contexts, specifically for scars from infectious diseases like smallpox.

Usage Examples:

• Его лицо испещрено ямками от юношеских прыщей.

  His face is dotted with pockmarks from teenage acne.

• После болезни на коже остались оспины, которые трудно скрыть.

  After the illness, pockmarks remained on the skin that are hard to hide.

• В старых портретах видно, как ямки от оспы добавляют характер лицу.

  In old portraits, you can see how pockmarks from smallpox add character to the face.

• Дерматолог объяснил, что ямка на лбу — это след от давней инфекции.

  The dermatologist explained that the pockmark on the forehead is a remnant from an old infection.

• Оспины на руках делали его руки менее гладкими, но он не комплексовал.

  The pockmarks on his hands made them less smooth, but he didn't feel self-conscious about it.

Metaphorical use: A flaw or defect in an object or surface

Translation(s) & Context:

• ямка - In metaphorical contexts, for small defects on surfaces like walls or roads.

Usage Examples:

• Стена дома имела несколько ямок от града, но оставалась прочной.

  The house wall had a few pockmarks from hail but remained sturdy.

• Ямки на дороге делали езду опасной в дождь.

  The pockmarks on the road made driving dangerous in the rain.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "ямка" and "оспина" are feminine nouns in Russian. They follow standard first-declension patterns for feminine nouns ending in -a. "ямка" is more common and regular, while "оспина" is less frequently used but follows similar rules.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular inflections, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вмятина (vmjatina) - Similar to a dent, often for more pronounced defects.
  • впадина (vpadina) - A deeper hollow or depression, with a more geological connotation.
  • пятнышко (pyatnyshko) - A small spot or mark, used for less severe imperfections.
• Antonyms:
  • гладкость (gladkost') - Smoothness, referring to an even surface without flaws.
  • ровность (rovnost') - Evenness or flatness, contrasting with pitted surfaces.

Related Phrases:

• ямка на коже - A pit on the skin; used to describe dermatological issues.
• оспины от оспы - Pockmarks from smallpox; often in historical or medical discussions.
• ямки от града - Pockmarks from hail; refers to damage on surfaces like cars or buildings.

Usage Notes:

"Pockmark" translates most directly to "ямка" in everyday contexts, but "оспина" is preferred in formal or medical settings to emphasize disease-related scars. English speakers should note that Russian nouns like these require agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying words (e.g., adjectives or verbs). For instance, use "ямка" in informal conversations about beauty or health, but choose "оспина" when discussing historical epidemics. If multiple translations apply, select based on context: "ямка" for general flaws and "оспина" for specific medical connotations. Always consider the audience's formality level to avoid sounding overly technical.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "ямка" with "яма" (a larger pit or hole). Incorrect: "Его лицо имеет яму" (His face has a pit – implies something much larger). Correct: "Его лицо имеет ямку" (His face has a pockmark). Explanation: "Яма" refers to a deep hole, like in the ground, while "ямка" is diminutive and specific to small marks.

• Error: Forgetting case agreement, e.g., saying "с ямка" instead of "с ямкой" in genitive contexts. Incorrect: "Проблема с ямка" (Problem with pockmark). Correct: "Проблема с ямкой". Explanation: Russian requires the noun to change based on its grammatical role, which English speakers often overlook.

• Error: Overusing "оспина" in non-medical contexts, making speech sound archaic. Incorrect: "Моя машина имеет оспину" (My car has a pockmark). Correct: "Моя машина имеет ямку". Explanation: "Оспина" is tied to disease, so it's inappropriate for everyday objects.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "оспина" carry historical weight, often linked to epidemics such as smallpox, which devastated populations in the 18th and 19th centuries. Pockmarks were once a common feature in portraits and literature, symbolizing survival or social stigma, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy. Today, they might evoke empathy or reference resilience in personal stories.

Related Concepts:

• шрам (scar)
• угревой след (acne mark)
• впадина (depression or hollow)
• кожный дефект (skin defect)