Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'stylish'

English Word: stylish

Key Russian Translations:

• стильный [ˈstʲilʲnɨj] - [Formal/Informal, Adjective]
• модный [ˈmodnɨj] - [Informal, Often used in fashion contexts, but can imply trendiness more than 'stylish']

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations about fashion, design, and personal style, but not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions, but the word itself is straightforward for learners familiar with basic vocabulary).

Pronunciation (Russian):

стильный: [ˈstʲilʲnɨj]

модный: [ˈmodnɨj]

Note on стильный: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'ы' sound can be challenging for English speakers as it's a back vowel not directly equivalent in English. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Describing something or someone with a sense of elegance, fashion, or good taste in appearance.

Translation(s) & Context:

• стильный - Used in general contexts for clothing, design, or personal style; appropriate in both formal and informal settings, such as describing a well-dressed person.
• модный - Often used for trends in fashion; more casual and implies being up-to-date, but can overlap with 'stylish' in everyday talk.

Usage Examples:

• Она всегда выглядит стильно в своих нарядах.

  She always looks stylish in her outfits. (This example shows the adjective in a positive descriptive context, emphasizing personal appearance.)

• Этот дизайн интерьера очень стильный и современный.

  This interior design is very stylish and modern. (Illustrates use in discussing objects or environments, highlighting aesthetic appeal.)

• Модный журнал полон идей для стильного гардероба.

  The fashion magazine is full of ideas for a stylish wardrobe. (Here, 'модный' pairs with 'стильный' to show overlap in fashion contexts.)

• Его стильный костюм идеально подходит для вечеринки.

  His stylish suit is perfect for the party. (Demonstrates use with possessive structures and event-specific scenarios.)

• В этом сезоне стильные аксессуары — ключ к модному образу.

  In this season, stylish accessories are the key to a fashionable look. (Shows combination with other adjectives and in a seasonal/trendy context.)

Secondary Meaning: Implies sophistication or flair in non-visual contexts, e.g., writing or behavior.

Translation(s) & Context:

• стильный - Can be metaphorical, as in elegant writing or behavior; less common but used in literary or artistic discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Его стильный подход к работе всегда впечатляет коллег.

  His stylish approach to work always impresses his colleagues. (Extends the word beyond fashion to professional demeanor.)

• Эта книга написана в очень стильном и изысканном стиле.

  This book is written in a very stylish and refined style. (Applies to literary contexts, showing adjective modification.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'стильный' and 'модный' are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow the standard first-declension pattern for adjectives, meaning they agree with the nouns they modify.

For 'модный', the inflections are identical in pattern: e.g., модный (masc.), модная (fem.), etc. These adjectives do not have irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward to learn.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • элегантный (elegant; implies more refined sophistication)
  • шикарный (chic; often used for luxury or high-end style)
• Antonyms:
  • нестильный (unstylish; direct opposite, though less common)
  • вульгарный (vulgar; implies tastelessness in a negative way)

Related Phrases:

• стильно одетый - Stylishly dressed (used to describe someone's attire in social or professional settings).
• модный тренд - Fashion trend (refers to current styles in clothing or culture).
• стильный дизайн - Stylish design (common in interior or product discussions, emphasizing aesthetic appeal).

Usage Notes:

'Стильный' directly corresponds to 'stylish' in English, focusing on timeless elegance, while 'модный' leans toward trendiness. Use 'стильный' for formal contexts like fashion critiques or descriptions of art. Be mindful of adjective agreement: it must match the noun's gender, number, and case. For example, choose 'стильный' over 'модный' when emphasizing personal taste rather than fleeting trends. In spoken Russian, these words are versatile but avoid overusing them in casual speech to prevent sounding pretentious.

Common Errors:

• English learners often forget adjective declension: e.g., saying "стильный дом" (correct for masculine nominative) but incorrectly using "стильный" in all cases. Correct form: "в стильном доме" (prepositional case). Error: "в стильный дом" – This ignores case agreement, making the sentence grammatically incorrect.

• Confusing with synonyms: Mistaking 'модный' for 'стильный' in non-trendy contexts, e.g., saying "модный вечеринка" instead of "стильная вечеринка" for a 'stylish party'. Correct: Use 'стильная' to avoid implying it's just trendy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'стильный' are often tied to fashion and personal expression, influenced by historical events like the Soviet era's emphasis on functionality over style. Today, they reflect Russia's growing interest in global trends, seen in cities like Moscow, where stylish clothing signifies social status.

Related Concepts:

• элегантность (elegance)
• мода (fashion)
• дизайн (design)