Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'rouge'

English Word: rouge

Key Russian Translations:

• румяна [ruˈmʲanə] - [Plural, Informal; Commonly used in everyday contexts for makeup]

Frequency: Medium (This term is moderately common in modern Russian, especially in beauty and fashion discussions, but less frequent in formal or technical contexts.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; Involves understanding plural nouns and basic vocabulary related to personal care. If multiple translations exist, this applies primarily to 'румяна'.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

румяна: [ruˈmʲanə]

Note on румяна: The stress is on the second syllable ('mʲanə'). Be mindful of the palatalized 'mʲ' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers as it involves a softened consonant. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter vowel length.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A cosmetic used for coloring the cheeks

Translation(s) & Context:

• румяна - Used in casual or beauty-related conversations, often in informal settings like daily routines or makeup tutorials.

Usage Examples:

• Она наносит румяна на щеки перед выходом в свет.

  She applies rouge to her cheeks before going out in public.

• В косметичке всегда есть румяна для естественного румянца.

  In the makeup bag, there's always rouge for a natural blush.

• Макияж не будет полным без румян, которые подчеркивают контуры лица.

  Makeup won't be complete without rouge, which highlights the face contours.

• Современные румяна часто включают натуральные ингредиенты для чувствительной кожи.

  Modern rouge often includes natural ingredients for sensitive skin.

• Актриса использовала румяна, чтобы создать образ из эпохи модерна.

  The actress used rouge to create a look from the modernist era.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"румяна" is a plural noun in Russian, derived from the adjective "румяный" (ruddy). It typically does not change in the nominative case but follows standard noun declension patterns for other cases. As a neuter plural noun, it has regular inflections.

Note: This word is invariant in number and does not have a singular form in common usage, which is typical for certain collective nouns in Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: румянец (a natural blush, more poetic or literary context), бальзам для румянца (blush balm, for specific products)
• Brief note: "румянец" implies a natural flush rather than applied makeup, so it's used in more descriptive or emotional contexts.
• Antonyms: бледность (pallor, lack of color)

Related Phrases:

• нанести румяна - To apply rouge; Used in beauty routines to mean adding color to the cheeks for enhancement.
• естественные румяна - Natural rouge; Refers to makeup that mimics a healthy, flushed appearance.
• румяна для лица - Face rouge; A common phrase in cosmetic descriptions, emphasizing its application area.

Usage Notes:

Rouge in English directly corresponds to "румяна" in Russian, which is specifically a plural noun referring to blush products. It is most commonly used in informal or everyday contexts, such as beauty advice or personal care discussions. Be cautious with gender agreement in sentences, as "румяна" is neuter plural. When choosing between translations, "румяна" is the standard for makeup, while alternatives like "румянец" might be better for natural skin tones. In formal writing, pair it with verbs like "нанести" for precision.

• Grammar tip: Always use in plural form; singular equivalents are rare and context-specific.
• Context tip: In Russian culture, rouge is often associated with traditional beauty standards, so it's frequently mentioned in historical or fashion contexts.

Common Errors:

English learners often mistakenly use "румяна" in singular form, such as saying "румяно" instead of "румяна," which is incorrect as it doesn't exist in standard usage. Correct example: "Я купила румяна" (I bought rouge) instead of the erroneous "Я купила румяно." Another error is confusing it with "румянец," leading to misuse in makeup contexts—e.g., incorrectly saying "нанести румянец" when "нанести румяна" is proper. Explanation: "Румянец" refers to a natural flush, not a product, so always check the context to avoid semantic overlap.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "румяна" has historical ties to traditional beauty ideals, often depicted in literature and folklore as a symbol of health and vitality. For instance, in 19th-century Russian novels like those by Tolstoy, a rosy complexion enhanced by rouge represented youth and attractiveness, reflecting societal values of the time. This cultural connotation can add depth to its usage in modern contexts, such as in theater or historical reenactments.

Related Concepts:

• помада (lipstick)
• тени для век (eyeshadow)
• крем для лица (face cream)