Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sun'

English Word: sun

Key Russian Translations:

• солнце /ˈsolnt͡sə/ - [Neutral, commonly used in everyday contexts]

Frequency: High (The word "солнце" is a fundamental vocabulary item in Russian, appearing frequently in daily conversations, literature, and media.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; straightforward for English speakers due to its basic concept and regular pronunciation, though inflection rules may require initial practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

солнце: /ˈsolnt͡sə/

Note on солнце: The pronunciation features a palatalized "t" sound (/t͡s/), which is common in Russian. Stress falls on the first syllable. Be mindful of the soft sign (ь) at the end, which affects the preceding consonant's sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The star at the center of our solar system, providing light and heat

Translation(s) & Context:

• солнце - Used in general, literal contexts such as weather descriptions, astronomy, or metaphorical expressions in poetry and everyday speech.

Usage Examples:

• Солнце светит ярко сегодня.

  The sun is shining brightly today.

• Без солнца мир был бы темным и холодным.

  Without the sun, the world would be dark and cold.

• Солнечные лучи согревают землю весной.

  The sun's rays warm the earth in spring.

• Мы наслаждались солнечным закатом на пляже.

  We enjoyed the sunset on the beach.

• Солнце в зените – время для отдыха в тени.

  The sun is at its zenith – time to rest in the shade.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Солнце" is a neuter noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows regular inflection patterns for nouns ending in -e. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: As a proper noun for the celestial body, it rarely takes plural forms. In metaphorical uses, it remains invariant.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: светило (svetilo) - More formal or poetic term for a star or sun; used in scientific or literary contexts to emphasize brightness.
• Antonyms: луна (luna) - Refers to the moon, contrasting with the sun's light and heat.

Related Phrases:

• Под солнцем (pod solntsem) - Meaning: Under the sun; used to denote everywhere or in the open air, e.g., in expressions about universal experiences.
• Солнечный день (solnechny den') - Meaning: A sunny day; common in weather-related conversations.
• Золотое солнце (zolotoe solntse) - Meaning: Golden sun; a poetic phrase often used in descriptions of sunsets or in folklore.

Usage Notes:

"Солнце" directly corresponds to the English "sun" in both literal and figurative senses. It is neutral in tone and can be used across formal and informal settings. Be aware of Russian case requirements; for example, use the genitive form "солнца" after prepositions like "без" (without). When choosing between translations, "солнце" is the most straightforward and common, but "светило" might be preferred in scientific or elevated language. Grammatically, it doesn't change for gender, but always inflects by case as shown above.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the nominative form "солнце" in all contexts, e.g., saying "без солнце" instead of "без солнца". Correct: The genitive form is required after certain prepositions. Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case with their grammatical role, which can confuse English speakers accustomed to less inflection.

• Error: Overusing "солнце" in plural forms where it's not applicable, e.g., "солнца" to mean multiple suns. Correct: Stick to singular unless in rare metaphorical contexts. Explanation: In Russian, "солнце" is typically singular, reflecting its unique astronomical reference.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "солнце" symbolizes life, warmth, and renewal, often featured in folklore and literature. For instance, in Slavic myths, the sun is personified as a deity bringing light after dark winters, reflecting Russia's seasonal extremes. This cultural connotation can add depth to expressions like "под солнцем," implying universality or exposure to the elements.

Related Concepts:

• планета (planeta)
• звезда (zvezda)
• небо (nebo)