Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'satiny'

English Word: satiny

Key Russian Translations:

• шелковистый [ʂɨlˈkovʲɪstɨj] - [Adjective, Informal to Formal]
• атласный [ɐˈtlasnɨj] - [Adjective, Formal, specifically for satin fabrics]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in descriptive contexts like fashion or material descriptions, but not in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; involves understanding adjective inflections and vocabulary related to textures; for 'атласный', it may be slightly easier at A2 due to its specificity)

Pronunciation (Russian):

шелковистый: ʂɨlˈkovʲɪstɨj

Note on шелковистый: The initial 'ш' sound is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, similar to the 'sh' in 'sheep', and the stress falls on the second syllable. Be mindful of the soft sign 'й' at the end, which affects the preceding vowel.

Audio: []

атласный: ɐˈtlasnɨj

Note on атласный: The stress is on the second syllable, and the 'тл' combination can be challenging for English speakers as it requires a clear separation between 'т' and 'л'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Having a smooth, glossy appearance or texture, often like satin fabric.

Translation(s) & Context:

• шелковистый - Used in contexts describing soft, silky textures, such as hair, skin, or fabrics; common in everyday and literary descriptions.
• атласный - Specifically for items made of or resembling satin; more formal and often in fashion or textile contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Её волосы были шелковистыми на ощупь, как будто она только что вышла из салона.

  Her hair was satiny to the touch, as if she had just come from the salon.

• Платье из атласной ткани блестело под светом ламп, придавая ей элегантный вид.

  The dress made of satiny fabric gleamed under the lamp light, giving her an elegant appearance.

• Кожа младенца всегда такая шелковистая и нежная, что хочется её касаться.

  A baby's skin is always so satiny and tender that you want to touch it.

• Атласный шарф дополнил её наряд, добавив лоска и блеска.

  The satiny scarf complemented her outfit, adding luster and shine.

• В роскошном отеле постельное белье было шелковистым, обеспечивая идеальный комфорт.

  In the luxurious hotel, the bedding was satiny, providing perfect comfort.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'шелковистый' and 'атласный' are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for long-form adjectives.

For 'шелковистый' (irregular in some senses due to its derivation from 'шелк' meaning 'silk'), it changes as follows:

For 'атласный', it follows a more regular pattern:

Note: These adjectives do not change for short forms in modern usage, but they must agree with the noun in all attributes.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • гладкий (gladkiy) - Smooth, but without the glossy connotation; used for surfaces.
  • блестящий (blestyashchiy) - Shiny, emphasizing light reflection over texture.
• Antonyms:
  • шероховатый (sherokhovatyj) - Rough, opposite in texture.
  • матовый (matovyj) - Matte, lacking gloss.

Related Phrases:

• шелковистая кожа - Satiny skin; used in beauty or health contexts to describe smooth texture.
• атласный блеск - Satiny sheen; refers to a glossy finish, often in fashion or design.
• шелковистый материал - Satiny material; common in clothing descriptions.

Usage Notes:

Use 'шелковистый' for general descriptions of smooth, silky textures, as it broadly corresponds to 'satiny' in English. It's versatile across formal and informal settings but is more poetic in literature. 'Атласный' is better for specific references to satin fabrics, making it ideal in fashion or material science contexts. Always ensure the adjective agrees with the noun in gender, number, and case to avoid grammatical errors. When choosing between translations, opt for 'шелковистый' if the emphasis is on feel, and 'атласный' if it's on appearance or material type.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Forgetting to inflect the adjective, e.g., saying "волосы шелковистый" instead of "волосы шелковистые".
  Correct: "Волосы шелковистые" (feminine plural nominative).
  Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with their nouns; this error often stems from English's lack of inflection.
• Mistake: Using 'атласный' for non-fabric contexts, e.g., "шелковистый небо" instead of properly describing something else.
  Correct: Use 'шелковистый' for metaphorical textures like sky, as in "небо с атласным блеском".
  Explanation: 'Атласный' is too literal for satin, so it doesn't fit abstract uses.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'шелковистый' often evoke luxury and refinement, tied to historical associations with silk from the Silk Road. Satin fabrics ('атласный') were symbols of wealth in imperial Russia, appearing in literature like Tolstoy's works to denote social status.

Related Concepts:

• гладкий (smooth)
• мягкий (soft)
• блестящий (shiny)