Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'reddish'

English Word: reddish

Key Russian Translations:

• красноватый [krásnəvətɨj] - [Informal, Descriptive]
• с оттенком красного [s ɐtʲtʲénəm krásnəvə] - [Formal, Literary]

Frequency: Medium (Common in descriptive language but not everyday basics; used in contexts like art, fashion, or nature descriptions).

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 level; requires understanding of Russian adjectives and color nuances, but not overly complex for learners).

Pronunciation (Russian):

красноватый: [krásnəvətɨj]

Note on красноватый: The stress is on the second syllable (кра́сноватый). Be careful with the soft sign (в) which affects the vowel sound, making it more subtle than in English equivalents.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Slightly red in color

Translation(s) & Context:

• красноватый - Used in everyday descriptions of objects with a faint red hue, such as hair, skin, or fabrics; common in informal spoken Russian.
• с оттенком красного - Employed in more formal or precise contexts, like scientific or artistic descriptions, to emphasize subtlety.

Usage Examples:

• Его волосы красноватые, что придаёт ему необычный вид.

  His hair is reddish, which gives him an unusual look.

• Осенние листья часто бывают красноватыми на закате.

  Autumn leaves are often reddish at sunset.

• Эта ткань имеет красноватый оттенок, идеальный для осенней одежды.

  This fabric has a reddish tint, perfect for autumn clothing.

• Кожа на щеках у неё слегка красноватая от холода.

  Her cheeks have a slightly reddish tone from the cold.

• Художник смешал краски, чтобы получить красноватый эффект на полотне.

  The artist mixed paints to achieve a reddish effect on the canvas.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Красноватый" is an adjective in Russian, which means it inflects based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard pattern for adjectives ending in -ый. "С оттенком красного" is a phrase and does not inflect as a single word, but its components do.

For "красноватый", here is a table of its basic forms:

Note: The phrase "с оттенком красного" inflects individually; for example, "с оттенком красного" in genitive becomes "с оттенком красного".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • розоватый (similar but implies a pinkish tone; used when the red is lighter)
  • алый (more vivid red, but can overlap in poetic contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • белый (white; indicates the absence of color)
  • синий (blue; for contrast in color descriptions)

Related Phrases:

• Красноватый оттенок - A reddish tint; used in art or design to describe subtle color variations.
• С оттенком красного в интерьере - With a reddish hue in interior design; common in discussions about home decor.
• Красноватая кожа - Reddish skin; often in medical or everyday health contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "reddish" is best translated as "красноватый" for natural, everyday use, as it directly conveys a subtle red quality without overstatement. Unlike English, Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, so always adjust forms accordingly (e.g., "кра́сноватая рубашка" for a feminine noun). Use "с оттенком красного" in more formal or precise settings, such as technical writing. When choosing between translations, opt for "красноватый" in spoken language for its simplicity, but be aware of regional variations where synonyms like "розоватый" might be preferred in artistic contexts.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "красноватый" with "кра́сный" (pure red), leading to overuse of "кра́сный" for subtle shades. For example, incorrect: "Его волосы кра́сные" (implying bright red hair). Correct: "Его волосы кра́сноватые" (reddish hair). This error stems from direct translation without considering nuance, so focus on context to choose the right intensity.

• Another mistake is forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "кра́сноватый домa" instead of "кра́сноватые дома" for plural. Always match the adjective to the noun's form for grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, colors like reddish tones are often associated with nature and seasons, such as the autumn foliage in Russian literature (e.g., in works by Chekhov). While not deeply symbolic, it can evoke warmth or change, reflecting Russia's vast landscapes where seasonal colors play a role in folklore and art.

Related Concepts:

• розоватый
• алый
• коричневый