Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'suntan'

English Word: suntan

Key Russian Translations:

• загар [zɐˈɡar] - [Informal, Common in everyday speech]

Frequency: Medium (This word is commonly used in contexts involving outdoor activities, health, and beauty, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary like colors or food items.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2 on the CEFR scale; learners need familiarity with Russian noun declensions and everyday conversational phrases to use it effectively.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

загар: [zɐˈɡar]

Note on загар: The stress falls on the second syllable ('ɡar'), which is a common feature in Russian words ending in -ар. Be mindful of the soft 'г' sound, which can be challenging for non-native speakers. Variations may occur in regional dialects, such as a slightly softer 'з' in southern Russia.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The darkening of the skin caused by exposure to sunlight.

Translation(s) & Context:

• загар - Used in informal conversations about personal appearance, health, or leisure activities, such as beach trips or outdoor sports. It is a neutral term but often implies a positive or aesthetic context in Russian culture.

Usage Examples:

• Я получил загар на пляже во время отпуска. (Ya poluchil zagar na plyazhe vo vremya otpuska.)

  I got a suntan at the beach during my vacation. (This example shows the word in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting personal experience.)

• Её загар выглядит очень естественно после недели в горах. (Eyo zagar vyglyadit ochen' yestestvenno posle nedeli v gorakh.)

  Her suntan looks very natural after a week in the mountains. (This demonstrates the word in a descriptive context, with an adjective modifying it for emphasis.)

• Из-за сильного загара ему пришлось использовать крем от ожогов. (Iz-za sil'nogo zagara yemu prishlos' ispol'zovat' krem ot ozhogov.)

  Because of his strong suntan, he had to use cream for burns. (This example illustrates the word in a cause-and-effect scenario, linking it to health implications.)

• В лето многие люди стремятся к красивому загар. (V leto mnogie lyudi stremyatsya k krasivomu zagaru.)

  In summer, many people strive for a beautiful suntan. (This shows the word in a general statement about cultural preferences, using it in the dative case for purpose.)

• После загара кожа может стать более чувствительной к холоду. (Posle zagara kozha mozhet stat' boleye chuvstvitel'noy k kholodu.)

  After a suntan, the skin may become more sensitive to cold. (This example places the word in a temporal context, discussing post-exposure effects.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"загар" is a masculine noun of the third declension in Russian. It follows standard patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, with changes based on case and number. The word is singular by default; there is no inherent plural form, but it can be used in plural contexts by adding a quantifier or rephrasing.

Note: The inflections are regular, making it straightforward for learners, but pay attention to the vowel changes in certain cases (e.g., 'а' to 'у' in dative).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • бронзовый оттенок (bronzed shade) - Often used for a deeper, more aesthetic tan, implying beauty products or professional tanning.
  • покраснение от солнца (pokrasneniye ot solntsa) - More literal, emphasizing redness rather than a golden tone.
• Antonyms:
  • бледность (blednost') - Refers to paleness or lack of color in the skin.
  • осветление (osvetleniye) - Implies skin lightening or whitening treatments.

Related Phrases:

• получить загар (poluchit' zagar) - To get a suntan; used in contexts of acquiring it through exposure. (Common in travel or outdoor narratives.)
• загарный крем (zagarniy krem) - Sunscreen or tanning lotion; relates to products for managing suntans. (Practical in daily life discussions.)
• летний загар (letniy zagar) - Summer suntan; evokes seasonal and cultural associations with holidays. (Often used in poetic or advertising language.)

Usage Notes:

"загар" directly corresponds to "suntan" in English, focusing on the result of sun exposure rather than the process. It is typically informal and positive in Russian contexts, often linked to leisure or beauty. Be cautious with gender agreement, as it is masculine and must align with adjectives or verbs (e.g., "красивый загар" for "beautiful suntan"). If multiple translations exist, choose "загар" for general use; opt for synonyms like "бронзовый оттенок" in more formal or descriptive settings. Grammatically, it doesn't change for number unless specified, so use quantifiers like "много загара" for emphasis.

Common Errors:

• Confusing case endings: English learners often use the nominative "загар" in all contexts, e.g., saying "Я думаю о загар" instead of the correct genitive "загара" in "Я думаю о загарe" (I am thinking about a suntan). Correct usage: Always decline based on sentence role to avoid sounding unnatural.

• Mispronouncing the stress: Learners might stress the first syllable, saying [ˈzɐgar] instead of [zɐˈɡar], which can make the word harder to understand. Explanation: Practice with native audio to internalize the correct emphasis, as Russian stress patterns are not intuitive for English speakers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "загар" is often associated with summer vacations, beach culture, and ideals of health and attractiveness, influenced by post-Soviet trends in tourism. However, it can carry undertones of caution due to high UV exposure in regions like southern Russia, where skin cancer awareness campaigns promote sunscreen use alongside tanning.

Related Concepts:

• солнцезащитный крем (sunscreen)
• пляжный отдых (beach vacation)
• кожные проблемы (skin issues)