Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'snowflake'

English Word: snowflake

Key Russian Translations:

• снежинка /snʲɪˈʐɨnkə/ - [Feminine noun, Informal or General use; commonly used in everyday descriptions of weather or nature]

Frequency: Medium (The word is encountered in standard Russian conversations about weather, literature, and education, but not as frequently as basic words like "снег".)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; straightforward vocabulary for new learners, as it follows basic noun patterns in Russian grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

снежинка: /snʲɪˈʐɨnkə/

Note on снежинка: The "ж" sound is a soft palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the "s" in "measure". Stress falls on the third syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The frozen water crystal that falls as snow (literal meaning).

Translation(s) & Context:

• снежинка - Used in contexts describing natural phenomena, such as weather, science, or poetry; appropriate for both formal and informal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Каждый снежок состоит из множества уникальных снежинок.

  Each snowflake consists of many unique snowflakes.

• Дети любят ловить снежинки на язык во время снегопада.

  Children love catching snowflakes on their tongues during a snowfall.

• Под микроскопом снежинка выглядит как настоящее произведение искусства.

  Under a microscope, a snowflake looks like a true work of art.

• В русской сказке снежинка оживает и превращается в волшебную фею.

  In a Russian fairy tale, a snowflake comes to life and turns into a magical fairy.

• Снежинка тает на ладони, напоминая о быстротечности зимы.

  A snowflake melts in the palm, reminding us of the fleeting nature of winter.

Informal or metaphorical use (e.g., referring to something delicate or unique, though less common in Russian).

Translation(s) & Context:

• снежинка - Occasionally used metaphorically in creative writing or informal speech to denote fragility; differs from English slang where it might imply sensitivity.

Usage Examples:

• Её улыбка была как снежинка — хрупкая и неповторимая.

  Her smile was like a snowflake — fragile and unique.

• В мире бизнеса идеи, как снежинки, — каждая уникальна, но быстро тает.

  In the business world, ideas are like snowflakes — each one is unique but melts quickly.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"снежинка" is a feminine noun in the first declension, which means it follows regular patterns for most cases and numbers. It is inflected based on grammatical case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular inflections, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: снежная кристаллизация (snow crystal formation; more scientific), хлопья снега (snowflakes in plural form; less specific)
• Antonyms: пламя (flame; represents heat and opposition to cold)

Explanation: Synonyms like "хлопья снега" are used in broader contexts, but "снежинка" is preferred for individual items. Antonyms highlight thematic opposites in Russian literature.

Related Phrases:

• Падающая снежинка (Falling snowflake) - Refers to snow in motion, often used in poetic descriptions of winter.
• Снежинка на ладони (Snowflake on the palm) - A common phrase for illustrating transience, as in everyday observations or metaphors.
• Уникальная снежинка (Unique snowflake) - Emphasizes individuality, similar to English idioms, but more literal in Russian contexts.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "снежинка" directly corresponds to the English "snowflake" in its literal sense, making it a precise translation for natural science or weather discussions. However, be mindful of gender (feminine) when using it in sentences, as it affects adjectives and verbs (e.g., "красивая снежинка" for "beautiful snowflake"). In informal contexts, it's versatile but avoid overusing it metaphorically, as Russian prefers more explicit expressions. When choosing between translations, "снежинка" is the most accurate for singular items, while "снежинки" works for plural scenarios.

Common Errors:

• Error: Treating "снежинка" as a masculine or neuter noun, e.g., saying "красивый снежинка" instead of "красивая снежинка". Correct: Use feminine adjectives like "красивая". Explanation: Russian nouns have grammatical gender, and mismatching it can confuse native speakers.

• Error: Incorrect inflection in cases, e.g., using "снежинка" in the genitive as "снежинка" instead of "снежинки". Correct: "Рядом с снежинкой" should be "Рядом с снежинкой" for instrumental, but genitive is "снежинки". Explanation: Learners often overlook case endings, which are crucial for sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "снежинка" often evokes images of the harsh yet beautiful Russian winters, featured in folklore and literature like Pushkin's works. It symbolizes uniqueness and ephemerality, tying into themes of resilience during long snowy seasons, such as those celebrated in winter festivals like Maslenitsa.

Related Concepts:

• снег (snow)
• мороз (frost)
• зима (winter)
• кристалл (crystal)