Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'smell'

English Word: smell

Key Russian Translations:

• запах [zəˈpax] - [Noun, Formal/Informal]
• пахнуть [ˈpaxnʊtʲ] - [Verb, Informal, Used in everyday descriptions]

Frequency: High (Common in daily conversations and written texts in Russian).

Difficulty: A2 for 'запах' (Beginner level, basic vocabulary); B1 for 'пахнуть' (Intermediate, involves verb conjugation).

Pronunciation (Russian):

запах: [zəˈpax]

пахнуть: [ˈpaxnʊtʲ]

Note on запах: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'x' sound, which is a fricative.

Note on пахнуть: This verb has palatalization in the root; the 'h' sound is pronounced softly, and it varies in imperfective forms.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The sense of smell or an odor (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• запах - Used in contexts describing scents, such as in food, nature, or unpleasant smells (e.g., in everyday or formal writing).

Usage Examples:

• В комнате был сильный запах цветов. (V komnate byl sil'nyj zapakh cvetov.)

  There was a strong smell of flowers in the room. (Demonstrates basic noun usage in a descriptive context.)

• Этот запах напомнил мне детство. (Etot zapakh napomnil mne detstvo.)

  This smell reminded me of my childhood. (Shows usage in emotional or nostalgic contexts.)

• Я не переношу этот неприятный запах. (Ya ne perenosu etot neprivetnyj zapakh.)

  I can't stand this unpleasant smell. (Illustrates negative connotations in informal speech.)

• Запах свежего хлеба всегда радует. (Zapakh svezhego khleba vsegda raduet.)

  The smell of fresh bread always delights. (Used in positive, sensory descriptions.)

Meaning 2: To perceive or give off an odor (Verb form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пахнуть - Used when describing the act of smelling something or something emitting an odor, often in informal spoken language or narratives.

Usage Examples:

• Эти цветы пахнут очень сладко. (Eti cvety pakhnut' ochen' sladko.)

  These flowers smell very sweetly. (Shows verb in present tense for ongoing action.)

• Почему эта еда пахнет горелым? (Pochemu eta eda pakhnut' gorelým?)

  Why does this food smell burnt? (Used in questioning or problem-solving contexts.)

• Он пахнул кофе и вышел из кухни. (On pakhnul kofe i vyshel iz kukhni.)

  He smelled of coffee and left the kitchen. (Demonstrates the verb in a personal description.)

• Весной лес пахнет свежестью. (Vesnoj les pakhnut' svezhest'yu.)

  In spring, the forest smells of freshness. (Illustrates seasonal or poetic usage.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'запах' (noun, masculine): It follows the standard third declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant.

For 'пахнуть' (verb, imperfective): It is an intransitive verb that conjugates irregularly in some aspects. Basic present tense conjugation:

Note: 'пахнуть' has an imperfective aspect; its perfective counterpart is 'попахнуть' for certain uses.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • аромат (aromat) - More poetic, often for pleasant smells.
  • дух (dukh) - Informal, for faint or spiritual scents.
• Antonyms:
  • отсутствие запаха (otsutstvie zapakha) - Literal absence of smell.
  • вонь (von') - For unpleasant odors.

Related Phrases:

• Хороший запах (Horoshij zapakh) - A pleasant smell; used in positive contexts like perfumery.
• Пахнуть как (Pakhnut' kak) - To smell like; e.g., in comparisons (e.g., "Пахнуть как роза" - To smell like a rose).
• Запах свежести (Zapakh svezhesti) - Smell of freshness; common in advertising or nature descriptions.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'запах' directly corresponds to the noun form of 'smell' and is versatile across formal and informal settings, but avoid using it metaphorically without context. For the verb 'пахнуть', it's more common in spoken language and pairs well with adjectives like 'сладко' (sweetly). When choosing between translations, use 'запах' for static descriptions and 'пахнуть' for dynamic actions. Grammatically, ensure proper case agreement for 'запах' in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'запах' with 'пахнуть' by using the noun as a verb. Incorrect: "Я запах кофе" (Ya zapakh kofe). Correct: "Я пахну кофе" (Ya pakhnut kofe, meaning "I smell of coffee"). Explanation: 'Запах' is a noun and cannot function as a verb; always conjugate verbs properly.
• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., using nominative in genitive contexts. Incorrect: "Без запах" (Bez zapakh). Correct: "Без запаха" (Bez zapakha). Explanation: Russian nouns require case changes; learners often overlook this from English habits.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, smells like the 'запах свежего хлеба' (smell of fresh bread) are often associated with home and tradition, evoking nostalgia in literature and folklore. Words like 'пахнуть' can appear in proverbs, such as those related to nature, emphasizing sensory experiences in Russian daily life.

Related Concepts:

• аромат
• вонь
• обоняние