Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'portrait'

English Word: portrait

Key Russian Translations:

• Портрет /pɐrˈtrɛt/ - [Neutral; commonly used in art, biographical, and everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its Russian equivalent appear regularly in literature, art discussions, and daily conversations, but not as frequently as basic vocabulary like colors or numbers.)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner level; straightforward for English speakers to learn due to phonetic similarities and basic noun structure, per CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Портрет: /pɐrˈtrɛt/

Note on Портрет: The stress falls on the second syllable ('trɛt'), which is a common feature in Russian words borrowed from French or English. Be mindful of the rolled 'r' sound, which can be challenging for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A painting, drawing, photograph, or engraving of a person, often focusing on the face or head.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Портрет - Used in formal art contexts, biographical descriptions, or casual references to personal images; common in museums, family albums, or historical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: В музее висит старинный портрет царя Петра Великого.

  English Translation: In the museum, there hangs an old portrait of Tsar Peter the Great.

• Русский: Художник нарисовал портрет моей сестры в реалистичном стиле.

  English Translation: The artist drew a portrait of my sister in a realistic style.

• Русский: На стене кабинета висит портрет известного писателя.

  English Translation: On the office wall, there is a portrait of a famous writer.

• Русский: Фотограф сделал портрет ребенка для семейного альбома.

  English Translation: The photographer took a portrait of the child for the family album.

• Русский: В галерее экспонируются портреты деятелей русской культуры.

  English Translation: In the gallery, portraits of figures from Russian culture are exhibited.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Портрет" is a masculine noun of the second declension in Russian. It follows regular patterns for most cases but has standard variations based on number and grammatical case. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively easy for learners. It remains unchanged in the accusative singular if it's the direct object of a verb.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Изображение (izobrazhenie) - More general term for 'image' or 'depiction'; used when emphasizing representation rather than a specific portrait style.
  • Картина (kartina) - Specifically for paintings; implies a broader artistic work but can overlap in portrait contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • Пейзаж (peyzazh) - Landscape; contrasts with portrait as it focuses on scenery rather than people.

Related Phrases:

• Нарисовать портрет (Narisovat' portret) - To draw a portrait; used in artistic or creative contexts to describe the act of creating one.
• Семейный портрет (Semeinyi portret) - Family portrait; a common phrase for group photos or paintings in family settings.
• Портрет в полный рост (Portret v polnyi rost) - Full-length portrait; refers to depictions showing the entire body, often in formal portraits.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "портрет" directly corresponds to the English "portrait" in most contexts, especially artistic or biographical ones. It is a neutral, everyday term but is more commonly used in formal or cultural discussions rather than casual speech. When choosing between synonyms like "изображение," opt for "портрет" if the focus is on a person's likeness. Grammatically, remember that as a masculine noun, it requires appropriate adjective agreements (e.g., "красивый портрет" for "beautiful portrait"). Be cautious with prepositions; for example, use "в" for location (в портрете - in the portrait) or "о" for topics (о портрете - about the portrait).

Common Errors:

• Error: Incorrect case usage, such as saying "Я видел портрет" when it should be in the genitive for possession (e.g., "портрета моей бабушки").

  Correct Usage: "Я видел портрет моей бабушки" (I saw the portrait of my grandmother). Explanation: English speakers often forget Russian's case system, so always adjust based on the sentence structure to avoid sounding unnatural.

• Error: Using "портрет" interchangeably with "фото" (photo), leading to imprecise meanings.

  Correct Usage: For a painted portrait, use "портрет"; for a photograph, prefer "фото" or "фотопортрет." Explanation: This distinction prevents confusion in contexts like art vs. modern media.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, portraits hold significant historical and emotional value, often linked to figures like Tsars or Soviet leaders. For instance, portraits of Lenin or Stalin were ubiquitous in public spaces during the USSR era, symbolizing authority and ideology. Today, they appear in museums like the Tretyakov Gallery, reflecting Russia's rich artistic heritage and the personal stories embedded in visual representations.

Related Concepts:

• Художник (khudozhnik) - Artist
• Галерея (galereya) - Gallery
• Биография (biografiya) - Biography