Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'settee'

English Word: settee

Key Russian Translations:

• диван [dʲɪˈvan] - [Formal, Common noun for furniture]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in everyday conversations about home furnishings, but not as frequently as basic vocabulary like "chair".)

Difficulty: A2 (Basic level; suitable for beginners as it involves simple noun vocabulary, but requires understanding of basic Russian noun declensions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

диван: [dʲɪˈvan]

Note on диван: The stress is on the second syllable. The 'дʲ' sound is a palatalized 'd', which can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the 'd' in "dew". Pronounce it with a soft, forward tongue position.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A long seat with a back and arms, typically for two or more people (e.g., a type of sofa).

Translation(s) & Context:

• диван - Used in formal and informal settings for describing furniture in homes, offices, or public spaces. Context: Everyday home descriptions or interior design discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В гостиной стоит удобный диван для всей семьи.

  In the living room, there is a comfortable settee for the whole family.

• Мы купили новый диван, чтобы заменить старый.

  We bought a new settee to replace the old one.

• Диван в кафе был слишком жестким, и нам пришлось встать.

  The settee in the cafe was too hard, so we had to get up.

• На этом диване можно спать, если гости заночуют.

  On this settee, you can sleep if guests stay overnight.

• Диван в стиле модерн идеально вписывается в нашу квартиру.

  The modern-style settee fits perfectly into our apartment.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"диван" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the second declension. It follows regular patterns for most cases but has variations in plural forms. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is invariable in terms of gender but changes with case and number as shown. For other translations, apply similar rules if they exist.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • софа [sofa] - Often used interchangeably, but implies a more luxurious or modern design.
  • кресло [kreslo] - Similar but typically for one person; use when the settee is armchair-like.
• Antonyms:
  • стул [stool] - A simple chair without a back or arms; implies something less comfortable or spacious.

Related Phrases:

• Мягкий диван - A soft settee; used in contexts discussing comfort in furniture.
• Диван-кровать - A sofa bed; a versatile piece of furniture for small spaces.
• Расположиться на диване - To settle on the settee; common in relaxed, home settings.

Usage Notes:

"Диван" directly corresponds to "settee" in English as a piece of seating furniture, but it can be more general, encompassing sofas or couches. It's neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both everyday conversations and formal descriptions (e.g., in catalogs or design talks). When choosing between translations like "диван" and "софа", opt for "диван" in standard contexts; "софа" might imply elegance. Grammatically, always decline it according to Russian case rules to avoid errors in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "диван" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я сижу на диван" instead of "Я сижу на дива́не".

  Correct: "Я сижу на дива́не" (I am sitting on the settee). Explanation: Russian requires the prepositional case for locations, so the ending changes to "-е".

• Error: Confusing it with "кресло", leading to misuse in descriptions, e.g., calling a large settee a "кресло".

  Correct: Use "диван" for multi-person seating. Explanation: "Кресло" refers to a single armchair, which can lead to misunderstandings in furniture contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the "диван" often symbolizes comfort and family gatherings, especially in urban apartments where space is limited. It may evoke images from Soviet-era homes, where multifunctional furniture like sofa beds was common due to housing constraints, reflecting practicality in daily life.

Related Concepts:

• стол (table)
• кровать (bed)
• шкаф (wardrobe)