Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'poetess'

English Word: poetess

Key Russian Translations:

• поэтесса [pɐˈjɛtsə] - [Formal; Used in literary contexts to specify a female poet]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday Russian; it's more prevalent in literary or historical discussions.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 level; Involves understanding Russian noun genders and inflections, which can be challenging for learners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

поэтесса: [pɐˈjɛtsə]

Note on поэтесса: The stress falls on the second syllable ("jɛ"). Be mindful of the soft sign (ь) which affects the pronunciation, making the 't' sound softer. Variations may occur in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A female poet; a woman who writes poetry.

Translation(s) & Context:

• поэтесса - Used in formal, literary, or historical contexts to denote a female poet. It emphasizes gender, which is less common in modern Russian where gender-neutral terms are preferred.

Usage Examples:

• Она — известная поэтесса, чьи стихи вдохновляют поколения.

  She is a famous poetess whose poems inspire generations. (This example shows the word in a biographical context, highlighting literary achievement.)

• В музее выставлены рукописи великой поэтессы Анны Ахматовой.

  In the museum, manuscripts of the great poetess Anna Akhmatova are exhibited. (Here, it demonstrates use in a cultural or historical setting.)

• Молодая поэтесса дебютировала на поэтическом фестивале в Москве.

  The young poetess made her debut at a poetry festival in Moscow. (This illustrates the word in a contemporary event context.)

• Поэтесса часто черпает вдохновение из природы и личных переживаний.

  The poetess often draws inspiration from nature and personal experiences. (This example shows the word in a descriptive, creative context.)

• В русской литературе поэтесса играет ключевую роль в развитии женской поэзии.

  In Russian literature, the poetess plays a key role in the development of women's poetry. (This demonstrates use in an academic or analytical discussion.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Поэтесса" is a feminine noun (third declension) and follows standard Russian noun inflections. It is invariable in plural forms but changes by case. Below is a table of its nominative and genitive forms for singular and plural:

Note: The word is regular in its inflections, but learners should pay attention to the soft endings in cases like dative and instrumental.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: поэт (poet; more gender-neutral and commonly used in modern contexts; less emphasis on female gender)
• Antonyms: None directly, as this is a specific role; however, прозаик (prosaist) could contrast in literary style.

Related Phrases:

• русская поэтесса - A Russian poetess; Refers to female poets from Russian literature, e.g., in historical discussions.
• современная поэтесса - A contemporary poetess; Used for modern female poets in cultural contexts.
• великая поэтесса - A great poetess; Often applied to iconic figures like Anna Akhmatova in literary analysis.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "поэтесса" directly corresponds to "poetess" as a gendered term, but it's considered somewhat archaic or formal in contemporary usage. English speakers should note that modern Russian often prefers gender-neutral "поэт" to avoid sexism, especially in professional contexts. When choosing between translations, use "поэтесса" only if gender specificity is essential, such as in biographical or literary writing. Grammatically, it must agree with adjectives and verbs in gender, number, and case, which aligns with standard Russian noun rules.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "поэт" instead of "поэтесса" when gender is important, leading to ambiguity. Correct: Specify "поэтесса" for females. Example of error: "Он — поэт" (when referring to a woman). Explanation: Russian nouns have inherent genders, so mismatching can confuse the reader.
• Mistake: Incorrect inflection, e.g., saying "поэтесса" in the genitive as "поэтесса" instead of "поэтессы". Correct: "Книги поэтессы" (The books of the poetess). Explanation: Always apply proper case endings to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

"Поэтесса" carries cultural weight in Russian literature, often evoking figures like Anna Akhmatova or Marina Tsvetaeva, who challenged gender norms in the early 20th century. In Russian culture, poetry has historically been a prestigious art form, and female poets faced significant barriers, making this term a symbol of resilience and literary heritage.

Related Concepts:

• поэт
• писательница
• литератор