Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sculpt'

English Word: sculpt

Key Russian Translations:

• скульптировать [skʊlʲpʲtʲɪrəvətʲ] - [Formal, Verb; Used in artistic or creative contexts]
• скульптура [skʊlʲpʲtʊrə] - [Formal, Noun; Refers to the art form or object]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are commonly encountered in discussions of art, history, or creative fields, but less so in everyday casual conversation.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for 'скульптировать' as a verb; A2 (Beginner) for 'скульптура' as a noun. Learners at intermediate levels may find verb conjugations challenging due to Russian's complex inflection system.

Pronunciation (Russian):

скульптировать: [skʊlʲpʲtʲɪrəvətʲ]

Note on скульптировать: The stress falls on the second syllable ('птʲ'), and the 'лʲ' is a soft L sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Practice with native audio to master the rolling 'r'.

скульптура: [skʊlʲpʲtʊrə]

Note on скульптура: The 'у' in the second syllable is pronounced like the 'oo' in "book," and the word ends with a soft 'a' sound. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter vowel length.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To carve or shape something, especially in three dimensions (Verb form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• скульптировать - Used in formal or artistic contexts, such as describing the process of creating statues or figures.

Usage Examples:

• Художник скульптирует фигуру из мрамора. (The artist is sculpting a figure out of marble.)

  English Translation: The artist is sculpting a figure out of marble. (This example shows the verb in a present tense context, emphasizing creative work.)

• Она любит скульптировать животных из глины в свободное время. (She enjoys sculpting animals out of clay in her free time.)

  English Translation: She enjoys sculpting animals out of clay in her free time. (Illustrates informal, hobby-related usage with direct objects.)

• В мастерской скульптируют памятники для города. (In the workshop, they are sculpting monuments for the city.)

  English Translation: In the workshop, they are sculpting monuments for the city. (Demonstrates plural or group action in a professional setting.)

• Дети учатся скульптировать простые формы на уроке искусства. (Children are learning to sculpt simple shapes in art class.)

  English Translation: Children are learning to sculpt simple shapes in art class. (Shows educational context with infinitive forms.)

Meaning 2: The art or result of carving or shaping, or a three-dimensional work (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• скульптура - Used to refer to the artwork itself or the field of sculpture, often in cultural or historical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Эта скульптура выставлена в музее Эрмитаж. (This sculpture is exhibited in the Hermitage Museum.)

  English Translation: This sculpture is exhibited in the Hermitage Museum. (This highlights the noun in a museum context, showing its static nature.)

• Скульптура из бронзы стала символом города. (The bronze sculpture has become a symbol of the city.)

  English Translation: The bronze sculpture has become a symbol of the city. (Illustrates metaphorical or symbolic usage in everyday language.)

• В русской скульптуре преобладают темы истории и природы. (Russian sculpture predominantly features themes of history and nature.)

  English Translation: Russian sculpture predominantly features themes of history and nature. (Shows the noun in a broader cultural discussion.)

• Современная скульптура часто использует необычные материалы. (Contemporary sculpture often uses unusual materials.)

  English Translation: Contemporary sculpture often uses unusual materials. (Demonstrates the noun in a modern, abstract context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'скульптировать' (verb, first conjugation): This is a regular verb with standard endings, but it follows patterns for verbs ending in -ить. It inflects based on tense, aspect, and person. Below is a basic conjugation table for the present tense:

For 'скульптура' (feminine noun, first declension): This noun declines regularly across cases and numbers. It is invariable in gender but changes in cases like nominative, genitive, etc. Example declension table:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Лепить (lepit') - More general, for molding with clay; often used interchangeably in informal contexts.
  • Вырезать (vyrezat') - Specifically for cutting or carving, with a focus on wood or stone.
• Antonyms:
  • Разрушать (razrushat') - To destroy or demolish.
  • Ломать (lamat') - To break, contrasting with the creative act of sculpting.

Related Phrases:

• Скульптура в парке - (Sculpture in the park; Refers to outdoor art installations, common in Russian public spaces.)
• Современная скульптура - (Contemporary sculpture; Used in discussions of modern art movements.)
• Классическая скульптура - (Classical sculpture; Often implies historical or Greco-Roman influences in Russian culture.)

Usage Notes:

• While 'sculpt' as a verb directly translates to 'скульптировать', English speakers should note that Russian verbs often require perfective/imperfective pairs (e.g., 'вылепить' for a completed action). Use 'скульптировать' in formal writing or art critiques.
• For the noun 'sculpture', 'скульптура' is a precise match, but be aware of gender agreements in sentences (e.g., adjectives must agree as feminine).
• In everyday Russian, simpler synonyms like 'лепить' might be preferred for casual conversation to avoid sounding overly formal.
• When choosing between translations, opt for 'скульптура' for static objects and 'скульптировать' for processes; context is key in artistic discussions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'скульптировать' with 'скульптура' by using the noun as a verb. Incorrect: "Я скульптура статуя." (Wrong structure.) Correct: "Я скульптирую статую." (I am sculpting a statue.) Explanation: Russian requires proper verb forms; mixing parts of speech leads to grammatical errors.
• Error: Forgetting case endings, e.g., saying "в скульптура" instead of "в скульптуре". Incorrect: "Я смотрю в скульптура." Correct: "Я смотрю в скульптуру." Explanation: Prepositional case is needed after prepositions like 'в'; this is a common slip for beginners.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, sculpture holds significant historical importance, often tied to events like the Soviet era or tsarist monuments. For instance, works by sculptors like Vera Mukhina (e.g., 'Worker and Kolkhoz Woman') symbolize national pride and are featured in public spaces, reflecting Russia's emphasis on monumental art in public life.

Related Concepts:

• Памятник (pamyatnik) - Monument
• Художественная резьба (khudozhestvennaya rez'ba) - Artistic carving
• Изобразительное искусство (izobrazitel'noe iskusstvo) - Fine arts