Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'princess'

English Word: princess

Key Russian Translations:

• принцесса /prʲɪnˈt͡sɛsə/ - [Formal; Used in literary, historical, or fairy-tale contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, media, and cultural discussions, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; Straightforward vocabulary for basic learners, as it follows standard noun patterns)

Pronunciation (Russian):

принцесса: /prʲɪnˈt͡sɛsə/

Note on принцесса: The pronunciation features a palatalized 'р' sound (/prʲ/), which can be tricky for English speakers; practice with native audio to master the soft consonants. Variations may occur in regional dialects, but this is the standard Moscow-based form.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A female member of a royal family, typically the daughter of a king or queen.

Translation(s) & Context:

• принцесса - Used in formal, historical, or fairy-tale contexts to denote a royal female figure; common in stories or discussions about monarchy.

Usage Examples:

• В сказке девочка встречает принцессу в замке. (In the fairy tale, the girl meets the princess in the castle.)

  Translation: In the fairy tale, the girl meets the princess in the castle. (This example shows the word in a narrative context, emphasizing its use in children's literature.)

• Принцесса оделась в красивое платье для бала. (The princess dressed in a beautiful gown for the ball.)

  Translation: The princess dressed in a beautiful gown for the ball. (Illustrates the word in a descriptive, historical setting.)

• Моя дочь обожает истории о принцессе и драконе. (My daughter loves stories about the princess and the dragon.)

  Translation: My daughter loves stories about the princess and the dragon. (Demonstrates informal, familial use in modern storytelling.)

• Принцесса приветствовала гостей на церемонии. (The princess greeted the guests at the ceremony.)

  Translation: The princess greeted the guests at the ceremony. (Shows the word in a formal event context.)

• В музее есть портрет настоящей принцессы из прошлого века. (In the museum, there is a portrait of a real princess from the last century.)

  Translation: In the museum, there is a portrait of a real princess from the last century. (Highlights historical or educational usage.)

2. An affectionate or informal term for a young girl, often implying endearment or playfulness (e.g., in modern slang or pet names).

Translation(s) & Context:

• принцесса - Used informally as a nickname for girls; can carry a playful or affectionate connotation, similar to "princess" in English, but less common in everyday Russian speech.

Usage Examples:

• Моя маленькая принцесса всегда хочет носить корону. (My little princess always wants to wear a crown.)

  Translation: My little princess always wants to wear a crown. (This example shows affectionate parental use in a domestic setting.)

• Друзья называют её принцессой за её грациозность. (Friends call her princess for her gracefulness.)

  Translation: Friends call her princess for her gracefulness. (Illustrates informal, social nickname usage.)

• Принцесса, давай поиграем в замок! (Princess, let's play castle!)

  Translation: Princess, let's play castle! (Demonstrates playful, child-directed language.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Принцесса is a feminine noun (first declension) and follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns. It is invariant in its base form but changes according to case, number, and gender as needed. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: As a feminine noun, it does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners. In plural forms, it is used when referring to multiple royal figures.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • княжна (knyazhna) - A more specific term for a princess in a princely context; often used in historical or regional settings to denote a lower-ranking royal.
  • царевна (tsarevna) - Implies a princess in a tsarist or fairy-tale context; has a slightly archaic or folkloric nuance.
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as "princess" is a specific title. However, related opposites might include:
  • принц (prince) - The male counterpart.

Related Phrases:

• Принцесса на горошине (Princess on the Pea) - A reference to the famous fairy tale; used idiomatically to describe someone who is overly sensitive or picky.
• Спящая красавица, принцесса (Sleeping Beauty, the princess) - A common phrase from folklore; implies a princess in a enchanted state.
• Принцесса из сказки (Princess from a fairy tale) - Often used in cultural discussions; refers to idealized female characters in stories.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "принцесса" directly corresponds to the English "princess" in royal contexts but is less frequently used in everyday affectionate speech compared to English. It is typically formal and appears in literature, history, or media. When choosing between translations like "принцесса" and "княжна," opt for "принцесса" for general or Western-influenced contexts; be mindful of grammatical gender agreements, as it must align with adjectives and verbs (e.g., "красивая принцесса" for "beautiful princess"). Avoid using it in casual slang unless in playful scenarios.

Common Errors:

• Confusing gender inflections: English learners might incorrectly use masculine forms, e.g., saying "принцесс" in nominative instead of "принцесса." Correct usage: Always treat it as feminine. Error example: "Принцесс пришел" (incorrect); Correct: "Принцесса пришла" (The princess arrived).

• Overusing in informal settings: Learners may apply it like English pet names, but in Russian, it can sound overly dramatic. Error example: Calling a child "принцесса" in a formal letter; Correct: Use in playful contexts only, like family talk.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "принцесса" often evokes fairy tales from authors like Alexander Pushkin or folk stories, symbolizing beauty, innocence, and sometimes vulnerability. It carries historical connotations from the Romanov era, where princesses were part of the imperial court, adding a layer of nostalgia or romanticism in modern usage.

Related Concepts:

• королева (queen)
• принц (prince)
• князь (prince or duke)
• царица (empress or tsarina)