Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sunset'

English Word: sunset

Key Russian Translations:

• закат [zɐˈkat] - [Formal, Literary]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary and descriptive contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: A2 (Basic level; straightforward for beginners once basic nouns are learned)

Pronunciation (Russian):

закат: [zɐˈkat]

Note on закат: The stress falls on the second syllable ('kat'), which is typical for many Russian nouns. Be mindful of the soft 'a' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers used to harder vowels.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The daily event of the sun disappearing below the horizon, often with poetic or metaphorical connotations.

Translation(s) & Context:

• закат - Used in formal, literary, or descriptive contexts, such as in poetry, nature descriptions, or metaphorical expressions for endings (e.g., the end of an era).

Usage Examples:

• Я люблю смотреть на закат над морем.

  I love watching the sunset over the sea.

• Закат окрашивает небо в оранжевые тона.

  The sunset paints the sky in orange tones.

• В поэзии закат часто символизирует конец жизни.

  In poetry, sunset often symbolizes the end of life.

• Мы встретились во время заката, когда день уступает место ночи.

  We met during sunset, when day gives way to night.

• Закат в горах всегда особенно красивый.

  Sunset in the mountains is always particularly beautiful.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Закат" is a masculine noun in the third declension. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns, which are regular but require attention to cases. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: As a masculine noun, it does not have gender variations, but its plural form is used for multiple instances, such as in descriptions of repeated events.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сумерки (sumérki) - Refers more to twilight, with a subtle difference in timing (slightly after sunset).
  • заход солнца (zakhod solnca) - A more descriptive phrase, literally "descent of the sun."
• Antonyms:
  • восход (voskhód) - Sunrise, the opposite event.
  • рассвет (rasset) - Dawn, emphasizing the beginning of the day.

Related Phrases:

• Закат солнца - The sunset of the sun; used in literal descriptions (e.g., "The sunset of the sun is breathtaking.").
• Красный закат - Red sunset; often implies dramatic weather or beauty.
• Закат жизни - Sunset of life; a metaphorical phrase for the end of one's life or career.

Usage Notes:

"Закат" directly corresponds to "sunset" in English but is more commonly used in literary or poetic contexts in Russian, where it can carry metaphorical weight, such as symbolizing decline or endings. It is neutral in formality but leans formal in everyday speech; avoid it in casual conversations where simpler descriptions might suffice. When choosing between translations, use "закат" for precise, evocative language, but opt for phrases like "заход солнца" if a more literal explanation is needed. Grammatically, remember that as a noun, it must agree in case with surrounding words in a sentence.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "закат" with "рассвет" (dawn). Incorrect: "Я увидел закат утром." (I saw the sunset in the morning.) Correct: "Я увидел рассвет утром." Explanation: "Закат" specifically means sunset, which occurs in the evening, while "рассвет" is for dawn.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, such as using the nominative in all cases. Incorrect: "Я думаю о закат." (I think about sunset.) Correct: "Я думаю о закате." Explanation: In the prepositional case after prepositions like "о," the genitive form "закате" is required.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "закат" often appears in literature and art as a symbol of melancholy or the passage of time, influenced by Romantic poets like Pushkin. For instance, it's frequently used in folk songs and paintings to evoke the beauty of nature and the inevitability of endings, reflecting Russia's vast landscapes and seasonal changes.

Related Concepts:

• сумерки (twilight)
• восход (sunrise)
• ночной пейзаж (night landscape)