Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sketch'

English Word: sketch

Key Russian Translations:

• эскиз [ˈɛskʲɪz] - [Formal, used in artistic or technical contexts]
• набросок [nɐˈbrosək] - [Informal, everyday or creative drafting]
• очерк [ɐˈt͡ɕɛrk] - [Formal, literary or descriptive outline]

Frequency: Medium (Common in artistic, educational, and professional settings, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires basic understanding of Russian nouns and their inflections, though variations are manageable for learners at this level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

эскиз: [ˈɛskʲɪz]

набросок: [nɐˈbrosək] (Note on набросок: The stress is on the second syllable, which can be tricky for English speakers due to the Russian palatalized 's' sound; it softens in casual speech.)

очерк: [ɐˈt͡ɕɛrk] (Note on очерк: The 'ч' is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to 'ch' in 'church', but ensure it's not over-emphasized.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A rough or quick drawing, often in art or design

Translation(s) & Context:

• эскиз - Used in formal artistic or architectural contexts, such as preliminary designs.
• набросок - Applied in informal or creative settings, like quick ideas on paper.

Usage Examples:

• Он сделал быстрый эскиз здания перед началом работы.

  He made a quick sketch of the building before starting work.

• В её блокноте был набросок цветка, который она увидела в парке.

  In her notebook, there was a sketch of a flower she saw in the park.

• Художник использовал эскиз для планирования всей композиции.

  The artist used the sketch to plan the entire composition.

• Этот набросок помог нам понять основную идею проекта.

  This sketch helped us understand the main idea of the project.

Meaning 2: A brief or outline description, such as in writing or planning

Translation(s) & Context:

• очерк - Used in literary or academic contexts, like a summary or essay outline.
• набросок - Informal for a quick plan or draft in everyday writing.

Usage Examples:

• Её очерк истории был кратким, но информативным.

  Her sketch of the history was brief but informative.

• Я сделал набросок плана на совещании, чтобы все поняли.

  I made a sketch of the plan at the meeting so everyone understood.

• В книге есть очерк биографии известного писателя.

  In the book, there's a sketch of the famous writer's biography.

• Этот набросок речи помог мне структурировать выступление.

  This sketch of the speech helped me structure the presentation.

• Очерк путешествия был полон ярких деталей.

  The sketch of the journey was full of vivid details.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily masculine nouns in Russian, which follow standard declension patterns. Below is a table outlining the inflections for each key translation. Note that Russian nouns change based on case, number, and gender.

These words are regular in their inflections, meaning they follow standard masculine noun patterns without irregularities. For example, in plural forms, the ending changes to reflect number and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • эскиз: чертеж (drawing, more technical)
  • набросок: зарисовка (quick note or drawing, often informal)
  • очерк: конспект (summary or outline, educational context; note: more structured than очерк)
• Antonyms:
  • эскиз: готовый рисунок (finished drawing)
  • набросок: детальный план (detailed plan)
  • очерк: полный текст (full text or detailed description)

Related Phrases:

• Сделать эскиз - To make a sketch (Used in artistic contexts; implies creating a preliminary drawing.)
• Быстрый набросок - Quick sketch (Informal for rapid ideas; often in brainstorming sessions.)
• Очерк жизни - Sketch of life (Literary phrase for a biographical outline; carries a narrative connotation.)
• Набросок плана - Sketch of a plan (Common in business; refers to an initial outline.)

Usage Notes:

The English word "sketch" corresponds closely to Russian translations like эскиз for visual arts and очерк for written forms, but choose based on context: use эскиз for formal drawings and набросок for casual ones. Be mindful of Russian's case system, as these nouns must agree with prepositions and verbs (e.g., "of the sketch" becomes генитив case: эскиза). In formal writing, очерк is preferred over набросок for precision. English learners should note that Russian often requires more specificity in describing the type of sketch.

• Avoid direct word-for-word translation; instead, consider the medium (e.g., drawing vs. writing).
• In spoken Russian, these words are neutral but can vary by region; Moscow dialect might emphasize certain inflections.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse inflections, such as using the nominative case incorrectly in sentences. For example:

• Error: "Я рисую эскиз" (correct) vs. Incorrect: "Я рисую эскиза" (wrong genitive use). Explanation: Always match the case to the sentence structure; here, nominative is needed as the direct object.
• Error: Confusing эскиз with набросок in formal contexts, e.g., saying "набросок проекта" when "эскиз проекта" is more appropriate for a professional design. Correct: Use эскиз for technical accuracy to avoid sounding too casual.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, sketching (эскиз or набросок) is deeply tied to the artistic traditions of figures like Ilya Repin, who used quick sketches to capture everyday life. Oчерк often appears in Russian literature, reflecting the nation's emphasis on narrative depth, as seen in works by Tolstoy, where brief outlines lead to expansive stories.

Related Concepts:

• чертеж (detailed drawing)
• зарисовка (quick note or doodle)
• конспект (summary or abstract)
• иллюстрация (illustration)