Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'silhouette'

English Word: silhouette

Key Russian Translations:

• силуэт [sʲɪlʊˈɛt] - [Formal, used in artistic and descriptive contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, art, and everyday descriptions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires familiarity with borrowed words and basic noun inflections for English learners of Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

силуэт: [sʲɪlʊˈɛt]

Note on силуэт: The stress is on the final syllable ('ɛt'), which is a common feature in Russian loanwords. Palatalization of the 's' sound ([sʲ]) may be subtle for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The outline or shadow of an object, often in art or photography

Translation(s) & Context:

• силуэт - Used to describe the dark shape or outline of an object against a light background, commonly in formal or artistic contexts such as painting or film.

Usage Examples:

• Вечером силуэт горы вырисовывался на горизонте.

  In the evening, the silhouette of the mountain was outlined on the horizon.

• Художник нарисовал силуэт человека в профиль.

  The artist drew the silhouette of a person in profile.

• На фотографии силуэт дерева отбрасывал тень на дорогу.

  In the photograph, the silhouette of the tree cast a shadow on the road.

• Силуэт города изменился с появлением новых зданий.

  The silhouette of the city has changed with the appearance of new buildings.

• В театре использовали силуэты для создания атмосферы тайны.

  In the theater, silhouettes were used to create an atmosphere of mystery.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Силуэт' is a masculine noun (from French loanword) and follows the standard third-declension pattern for inanimate masculine nouns in Russian. It has regular inflections based on case and number. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • контур (contour) - Often used interchangeably, but more focused on the precise line rather than the shaded outline.
  • очертание (outline) - Similar, but can imply a less defined shape in broader contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • неясность (vagueness) - Implies lack of definition, contrasting with the clear outline of a silhouette.

Related Phrases:

• человеческий силуэт (human silhouette) - Refers to the outline of a person, often used in descriptions of shadows or art; implies a human form in a scene.
• силуэт на фоне (silhouette against the background) - Describes an object outlined against a contrasting backdrop, common in photography or nature descriptions.
• тёмный силуэт (dark silhouette) - Emphasizes the shadowy aspect, used in contexts like horror or dusk scenes.

Usage Notes:

'Силуэт' directly corresponds to the English 'silhouette' as a borrowed word, making it a precise match for artistic or visual descriptions. It is typically used in formal contexts like literature, art criticism, or technical discussions, but can appear in everyday speech. Be mindful of case inflections when using it in sentences; for example, always adjust for the required grammatical case. If multiple translations exist, choose 'силуэт' for its exact connotation over broader synonyms like 'контур'. English learners should note that Russian often pairs it with prepositions like 'на фоне' for contextual clarity.

Common Errors:

• Incorrect inflection: Learners might forget to change the ending, e.g., saying "в силуэт" instead of the correct genitive "в силуэте" (in the silhouette). Correct usage: Use the prepositional case as "в силуэте" for locations or descriptions.

• Misusing synonyms: Confusing 'силуэт' with 'контур' by assuming they are identical; error example: "Это контур города" when meaning a shaded outline (should be "силуэт города"). Explanation: 'Контур' focuses on lines, while 'силуэт' includes shading—choose based on context to avoid imprecision.

• Pronunciation errors: Overlooking the palatalized 's' sound, pronouncing it as [s] instead of [sʲ], which can make it sound less natural. Correct: Practice [sʲɪlʊˈɛt] to match native speech.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'силуэт' often evokes historical art forms like silhouette portraits from the 18th-19th centuries, popularized in Europe and Russia as a simple, elegant way to capture likenesses. It can carry connotations of mystery or nostalgia, as seen in literature by authors like Pushkin, where silhouettes symbolize fleeting moments or shadows of the past.

Related Concepts:

• тень (shadow)
• очертания (outlines)
• контур (contour)
• фигура (figure)