Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tache'

English Word: tache

Key Russian Translations:

• пятно [ˈpʲatnə] - [Informal, Noun, Used for visible marks or stains]
• загрязнение [zəɡrʲazʲˈnʲenʲɪje] - [Formal, Noun, Used in technical or environmental contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language but more frequent in specific contexts like cleaning or art)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner, as it involves basic noun forms; however, for загрязнение, it may be B1 due to more complex vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пятно: [ˈpʲatnə]

Note on пятно: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'p' sound, which is common in Russian nouns.

загрязнение: [zəɡrʲazʲˈnʲenʲɪje]

Note on загрязнение: This word has a longer form with multiple syllables; the stress falls on the third syllable, and it's often pronounced more rapidly in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A mark or stain on a surface (e.g., a spot of dirt or ink)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пятно - Used in everyday conversations about cleaning or accidents, such as on clothing or surfaces.
• загрязнение - Applied in more formal or scientific contexts, like environmental pollution or technical descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• На рубашке появилось пятно от кофе.

  A coffee stain appeared on the shirt.

• Я не могу убрать это пятно с ковра.

  I can't remove this stain from the carpet.

• Загрязнение реки промышленными отходами вызывает серьёзные проблемы.

  Pollution of the river by industrial waste causes serious issues.

• Это пятно на картине придаёт ей уникальный вид.

  This stain on the painting gives it a unique appearance.

Meaning 2: A metaphorical or figurative mark (e.g., a blemish on one's record)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пятно - Used metaphorically in informal speech, such as in personal or social contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Это событие оставило пятно на его репутации.

  This event left a stain on his reputation.

• Пятно в биографии не должно определять всю жизнь.

  A blemish in one's biography shouldn't define their entire life.

• Загрязнение окружающей среды – это пятно на истории человечества.

  Environmental pollution is a stain on human history.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns. Russian nouns inflect based on case, number, and gender. пятно is a neuter noun, while загрязнение is also neuter. They follow standard patterns for third-declension nouns.

These nouns are regular in their inflections, with no irregularities noted.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пятно - отметина (mark, similar but often used for permanent marks)
  • загрязнение - загрязнение (pollution, nearly identical but slightly more general)
• Antonyms:
  • чистота (cleanliness, opposite of stain or pollution)
  • свежесть (freshness, contrasting with any form of marking)

Related Phrases:

• Убрать пятно - To remove a stain (Used in household or cleaning contexts).
• Загрязнение воздуха - Air pollution (Common in environmental discussions).
• Пятно на репутации - A stain on one's reputation (Figurative use in social or biographical contexts).

Usage Notes:

The English word "tache" is not standard and may be a variant or misspelling of words like "tack" or "task," but assuming it means "stain," it corresponds closely to пятно in informal settings. Use пятно for everyday situations and загрязнение for formal or technical ones. Be mindful of gender and case agreements in Russian sentences, as these nouns must agree with adjectives and verbs. For example, when choosing between translations, opt for пятно in casual speech to sound more natural, while загрязнение is better for written or professional contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using пятно in formal contexts without proper inflection, e.g., saying "Я вижу пятно" instead of adjusting for case in complex sentences.

  Correct: In a sentence like "Я думаю о пятне," ensure the genitive case is used if needed. Explanation: Russian requires precise case endings, so learners often forget to change forms, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing пятно with загрязнение and using them interchangeably, e.g., saying "загрязнение on my shirt" in translation.

  Correct: Use пятно for physical stains; Explanation: This mix-up can make speech sound overly formal or incorrect in context.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of a "stain" (пятно) often extends metaphorically to ideas of honor and purity, as seen in literature like Dostoevsky's works, where a moral stain can symbolize guilt or societal judgment. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on cleanliness and moral integrity in daily life.

Related Concepts:

• отметина (mark)
• грязь (dirt)
• экология (ecology)