Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'raincoat'

English Word: raincoat

Key Russian Translations:

• дождевик [ˈdoʒdʲɪvʲɪk] - [Neutral, commonly used in everyday contexts]
• плащ от дождя [ˈplaʂ ɐt ˈdoʒdʲja] - [Formal, more descriptive and used in written or technical descriptions]

Frequency: Medium (This word is encountered in everyday conversations, especially in weather-related topics, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary like "дом" (house).)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner level; straightforward for English speakers due to its concrete meaning, but requires basic familiarity with Russian noun declensions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

дождевик: [ˈdoʒdʲɪvʲɪk]

плащ от дождя: [ˈplaʂ ɐt ˈdoʒdʲja]

Note on дождевик: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, which may be challenging for English speakers similar to the 's' in "measure." Pronounce it with a soft, flowing quality.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A waterproof coat worn in rainy weather.

Translation(s) & Context:

• дождевик - Used in casual, everyday situations to refer to a simple raincoat, such as when discussing outdoor activities or weather preparedness.
• плащ от дождя - Employed in more formal or descriptive contexts, like in fashion, literature, or product descriptions, emphasizing the protective nature.

Usage Examples:

• Я взял дождевик из дома, чтобы не промокнуть во время прогулки.

  I took the raincoat from home so I wouldn't get wet during the walk.

• В дождливую погоду всегда полезно иметь плащ от дождя в машине.

  In rainy weather, it's always useful to have a raincoat in the car.

• Дети надели дождевики и пошли играть под дождем, не боясь грязи.

  The children put on their raincoats and went to play in the rain, not afraid of the mud.

• Этот плащ от дождя сделан из водонепроницаемого материала и идеален для походов.

  This raincoat is made of waterproof material and is ideal for hikes.

• Когда я увидел, что начинается ливень, я быстро надел дождевик.

  When I saw that a downpour was starting, I quickly put on my raincoat.

A metaphorical or extended use (e.g., in literature for protection from life's challenges).

Translation(s) & Context:

• дождевик - In poetic or figurative language, used to symbolize emotional protection, though less common.

Usage Examples:

• Ее улыбка была как дождевик в бурю – защищала от всех невзгод.

  Her smile was like a raincoat in a storm – it protected from all misfortunes.

• В этой книге автор использует плащ от дождя как метафору для внутреннего спокойствия.

  In this book, the author uses a raincoat as a metaphor for inner peace.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"дождевик" is a masculine noun in the second declension group. It follows standard patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case and number. "плащ от дождя" is a phrase where "плащ" is also masculine and follows similar rules.

For "плащ" (in "плащ от дождя"), it is also masculine and irregular in some forms: Nominative singular: плащ; Genitive singular: плаща. The phrase as a whole does not inflect uniformly but follows the rules of its components.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • плащ (plashch) - More general term for a coat, often used interchangeably but less specific to rain.
  • куртка от дождя (kurtka ot dozhdya) - Similar to a jacket-style raincoat, preferred in casual or modern contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • летняя одежда (letnyaya odezhda) - Summer clothing, implying the opposite in terms of weather protection.

Related Phrases:

• надеть дождевик (nadenet' dozhdik) - To put on a raincoat; used when preparing for rain.
• плащ от дождя в рюкзаке (plashch ot dozhdya v ryukzake) - Raincoat in the backpack; common in travel or outdoor contexts.
• защитный дождевик (zashchitnyy dozhdik) - Protective raincoat; implies enhanced features like in professional gear.

Usage Notes:

• Russian translations like "дождевик" directly correspond to the English "raincoat" in everyday use, but "плащ от дождя" is more literal and formal, suitable for written descriptions or when emphasizing material qualities.
• Be mindful of context: "дождевик" is neutral and versatile, while "плащ от дождя" might sound overly descriptive in casual speech. In Russian, always decline the noun based on its grammatical role to avoid errors.
• When choosing between translations, opt for "дождевик" for simplicity in beginner conversations and "плащ от дождя" for detailed or professional settings.

Common Errors:

• English learners often forget to decline "дождевик" correctly, e.g., saying "Я видел дождевик" instead of "Я видел дождевик" (correct for accusative), but commonly err in genitive as "дождевик" instead of "дождевика." Correct usage: Use the proper case, like "У меня нет дождевика" (I don't have a raincoat).
• Mistaking it for a feminine noun and applying wrong endings, e.g., saying "дождевика" as genitive feminine. Explanation: It's masculine, so follow the patterns shown in the inflections table.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, raincoats like "дождевик" are practical items associated with the country's variable weather, especially in regions with frequent rain. They symbolize preparedness and resilience, often featured in literature (e.g., in works by Chekhov) as metaphors for enduring life's uncertainties, reflecting the Russian emphasis on stoicism in adverse conditions.

Related Concepts:

• зонт (zont) - Umbrella
• дождливая погода (dozhdliwaya pogoda) - Rainy weather
• водонепроницаемый (vodonepronitsaemyy) - Waterproof