Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sapphire'

English Word: sapphire

Key Russian Translations:

• сапфир /sɐˈpfʲir/ - [Formal; used in general contexts, such as jewelry and gemology]

Frequency: Medium (The word is not everyday vocabulary but appears in discussions about gems, jewelry, or science.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level should recognize it through exposure to vocabulary related to materials and nature, though pronunciation may pose challenges due to Russian phonetics.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сапфир: /sɐˈpfʲir/

Note on сапфир: The stress is on the second syllable (/ˈpfʲir/). Pay attention to the palatalized 'ф' sound, which is common in Russian and may be tricky for English speakers. Variations in regional accents might slightly alter vowel sounds.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A precious gemstone, typically blue, used in jewelry.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сапфир - Used in formal and technical contexts, such as describing jewelry, minerals, or in scientific discussions about crystals.

Usage Examples:

• Этот красивый кулон украшен большим сапфиром. (This beautiful pendant is adorned with a large sapphire.)

  This example shows the noun in a nominative case within a descriptive sentence about jewelry.

• Сапфир часто ассоциируется с верностью и мудростью в ювелирном искусстве. (Sapphire is often associated with loyalty and wisdom in the art of jewelry.)

  Here, the word is used in a more abstract, cultural context, demonstrating its role in metaphorical expressions.

• В музее есть коллекция драгоценных камней, включая редкий розовый сапфир. (In the museum, there is a collection of precious stones, including a rare pink sapphire.)

  This illustrates the word with an adjective modifier, highlighting variations like colored sapphires.

• Ювелир осторожно обрабатывал сапфир, чтобы сохранить его природный блеск. (The jeweler carefully processed the sapphire to preserve its natural shine.)

  This sentence shows the noun in an accusative case, common in action-oriented contexts.

• Сапфир в этом кольце был добыт в Австралии. (The sapphire in this ring was mined in Australia.)

  This example places the word in a prepositional phrase, emphasizing its origin or source.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Сапфир" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows standard patterns for inanimate masculine nouns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: The plural forms are used when referring to multiple sapphires, and the word does not have irregular inflections.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • голубой камень (goluboy kamen') - Literally "blue stone," used informally for blue sapphire variants.
  • драгоценный камень (dragotsennyy kamen') - More general term for "precious stone," but can overlap in contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • Not directly applicable, as "сапфир" is a specific noun. However, in gemology, one might contrast it with less valuable stones like кварц (kvarts, quartz).

Related Phrases:

• Синий сапфир (Siniy sapfir) - Blue sapphire; a common phrase in jewelry descriptions, referring to the most typical variety.
• Кольцо с сапфиром (Kol'tso s sapfirom) - Ring with a sapphire; used in everyday shopping or fashion contexts.
• Редкий сапфир (Redkiy sapfir) - Rare sapphire; often in discussions about collectibles or auctions.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "сапфир" directly corresponds to the English "sapphire" as a gemstone, but it's primarily used in formal or specialized contexts like jewelry, geology, or literature. Unlike English, where "sapphire" can be metaphorical (e.g., for blue eyes), Russian usage is more literal. When choosing between translations, opt for "сапфир" in precise descriptions; for general terms, "драгоценный камень" might suffice. Grammatically, ensure correct case agreement, as Russian nouns change based on sentence role.

Common Errors:

• Confusing case endings: English learners often use the nominative form "сапфир" in all contexts. For example, incorrect: "Я увидел сапфир в музее" (should be "сапфиром" in instrumental if indicating the means). Correct: "Я увидел камень с сапфиром." Explanation: Always match the case to the preposition or verb requirements.

• Overgeneralizing synonyms: Mistakenly using "алмаз" (diamond) interchangeably with "сапфир." Correct usage: "Это сапфир, а не алмаз." Explanation: These are distinct gems, so precision is key to avoid confusion in descriptions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, sapphires are often associated with nobility and tradition, appearing in folklore and imperial jewelry from the Tsarist era. For instance, sapphires were featured in the crowns of Russian monarchs, symbolizing wisdom and protection, which adds a layer of historical prestige to the word "сапфир" in modern contexts.

Related Concepts:

• алмаз (almaz) - Diamond
• рубины (rubiny) - Rubies
• эмаль (emal') - Enamel (related in jewelry craftsmanship)