Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'skin'

English Word: skin

Key Russian Translations:

• кожа [ˈkoʐə] - [Formal, commonly used for human or animal skin in everyday and medical contexts]
• шкура [ˈʂkurə] - [Informal, often derogatory or specific to animal hides, e.g., in hunting or fashion]

Frequency: High (кожа is very common in daily conversation; шкура is Medium, mostly in specialized contexts)

Difficulty: A1 for кожа (Beginner level, as it's basic vocabulary); B1 for шкура (Intermediate, due to its contextual and potentially negative connotations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кожа: [ˈkoʐə]

Note on кожа: The 'zh' sound (as in [ʐ]) is a voiced retroflex fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure' in English. It's a common sound in Russian but may be challenging for beginners.

Audio: []

шкура: [ˈʂkurə]

Note on шкура: The 'sh' sound (as in [ʂ]) is voiceless and retroflex, like the 'sh' in 'sheep' but with a slightly sharper articulation. Pay attention to the vowel reduction in unstressed syllables.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The outer covering of the human or animal body

Translation(s) & Context:

• кожа - Used in formal, medical, or everyday contexts, such as describing health or beauty routines.
• шкура - Applied in informal or literal contexts, like animal pelts, but can be metaphorical for human skin in slang.

Usage Examples:

• Моя кожа очень чувствительная к холоду. (My skin is very sensitive to the cold.)

  Translation: This example shows 'кожа' in a personal health context, highlighting its use with adjectives for description.

• Он надел шкуру волка для костюма. (He wore the wolf's skin for the costume.)

  Translation: Here, 'шкура' refers to animal hide in a narrative or cultural setting, demonstrating its informal and specific usage.

• Кожа лица нуждается в ежедневном уходе. (The skin of the face needs daily care.)

  Translation: This illustrates 'кожа' in a beauty or hygiene context, showing its compatibility with possessive structures.

• В зоопарке выставлены шкуры редких животных. (In the zoo, skins of rare animals are displayed.)

  Translation: 'Шкура' is used here in an educational or exhibition context, emphasizing its non-human application.

• После загара кожа становится темнее. (After tanning, the skin becomes darker.)

  Translation: This example varies the grammar, showing 'кожа' with verbs to describe changes over time.

A layer or covering in a metaphorical sense (e.g., in computing or materials)

Translation(s) & Context:

• кожа - Less common, but used in technical contexts like 'skin' in design (e.g., user interfaces).
• скин (skin) - Borrowed term, informal in tech slang, especially among younger speakers.

Usage Examples:

• В этой программе можно изменить кожу интерфейса. (In this program, you can change the skin of the interface.)

  Translation: Here, 'кожа' is adapted for tech contexts, showing its flexibility in modern Russian.

• Он скачал новый скин для игры. (He downloaded a new skin for the game.)

  Translation: 'Скин' is a direct borrowing, used in gaming, illustrating informal adoption of English terms.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'кожа' (a feminine noun, first declension):

For 'шкура' (also feminine, first declension, with similar patterns):

Note: Both words follow regular declension patterns with no irregularities, making them straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: эпидерма (epidermis, more scientific); покров (covering, general term) - Note: 'эпидерма' is used in medical contexts, while 'покров' is broader and less specific.
• Antonyms: кости (bones) - Refers to the internal structure, contrasting with external covering.

Related Phrases:

• Кожный покров - Skin cover; refers to the protective layer of the body, often in biological discussions.
• Уход за кожей - Skin care; a common phrase in beauty and health routines, emphasizing daily maintenance.
• Шкура зверя - Animal skin; used in contexts like fur trade or folklore.

Usage Notes:

'Кожа' is the most direct and neutral translation for 'skin' in English, suitable for formal writing, medical texts, or everyday conversation. 'Шкура' should be used cautiously, as it can carry negative connotations (e.g., implying roughness or animalistic qualities). In tech contexts, 'скин' is a borrowed word and is informal. When choosing between translations, consider the context: opt for 'кожа' for human-related topics and 'шкура' for literal or metaphorical animal references. Grammatically, both nouns require agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying adjectives or verbs.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'кожа' and 'шкура': English learners often misuse 'шкура' in place of 'кожа' for human skin, leading to unintended rudeness. Incorrect: "Моя шкура сухая" (implies something derogatory). Correct: "Моя кожа сухая". Explanation: 'Шкура' is not interchangeable in polite contexts.
• Improper declension: Forgetting case changes, e.g., saying "уход за кожа" instead of "уход за кожей". Explanation: Always adjust for genitive case after prepositions like 'за'.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'кожа' often appears in proverbs related to health and appearance, such as "Здоровая кожа – здоровый человек" (Healthy skin means a healthy person), reflecting a traditional emphasis on physical well-being. 'Шкура' may evoke historical contexts like fur trading in Siberia, symbolizing Russia's vast natural resources and folklore involving animals.

Related Concepts:

• волосы (hair)
• мышцы (muscles)
• эпидермис (epidermis)