Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tailor'

English Word: tailor

Key Russian Translations:

• портной [ˈportnəj] - [Formal, Masculine, Singular]
• портниха [ˈportnʲixə] - [Formal, Feminine, Singular]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in professional or everyday contexts related to clothing and services, but not as frequent as basic daily vocabulary).

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner level; straightforward for English speakers learning basic professions, though gender agreement adds a slight challenge).

Pronunciation (Russian):

портной: [ˈportnəj]

портниха: [ˈportnʲixə]

Note on портной: The stress is on the first syllable; the "ой" ending can be tricky for beginners due to its soft consonant sound.

Note on портниха: Pronounce the "х" as a soft, guttural "h" sound, similar to the Scottish "loch"; this word has a palatalized "н" which affects the flow.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The person who makes, repairs, or alters clothes professionally.

Translation(s) & Context:

• портной - Used in formal or professional contexts to refer to a male tailor; common in discussions about custom clothing or tailoring services.
• портниха - Used for a female tailor; applied in similar contexts but emphasizes gender, which is important in Russian for accuracy.

Usage Examples:

• Я отнес костюм к портному, чтобы он подогнал его по фигуре.

  I took the suit to the tailor to have it fitted to my figure.

• Моя бабушка работала портнихой в ателье и шила платья для известных людей.

  My grandmother worked as a tailor in a studio and sewed dresses for famous people.

• Если пиджак не сидит идеально, всегда можно обратиться к хорошему портному.

  If the jacket doesn't fit perfectly, you can always go to a good tailor.

• Портниха в этом магазине может быстро перешить блузку под ваш вкус.

  The tailor in this shop can quickly alter the blouse to your taste.

• В маленьких городах портной часто бывает универсальным мастером, ремонтирующим и одежду, и обувь.

  In small towns, a tailor is often a versatile craftsman who repairs both clothing and shoes.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "портной" (masculine noun) and "портниха" (feminine noun) follow standard Russian noun declension patterns. "Портной" is a first-declension masculine noun, while "портниха" is a first-declension feminine noun. They change based on case, number, and gender.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular forms, but always ensure gender agreement with adjectives or verbs in sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • шитьмастер (seamstress/master; more general, often used for someone who sews but not exclusively tailoring).
  • мастер по пошиву одежды (master of clothing sewing; formal and descriptive, used in professional contexts).
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as this is a profession; however, conceptually opposite might include "покупатель" (buyer) in a commercial context.

Related Phrases:

• Шить на заказ - To sew to order; refers to custom tailoring services.
• Перешить одежду - To alter clothing; commonly used when visiting a tailor for adjustments.
• Ателье портного - Tailor's studio; a fixed phrase for a tailor's workshop or shop.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, the choice between "портной" and "портниха" depends on the gender of the person being referred to, which is a key grammatical feature unlike in English. Use "портной" for males and "портниха" for females to ensure accuracy and avoid gender-neutral pitfalls. This word is typically formal and professional, so it's ideal for contexts like business discussions or descriptions of services, but less common in casual conversation. When translating "tailor" from English, always consider the context to select the appropriate Russian equivalent, as Russian vocabulary often requires more specificity.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "портной" for a female tailor. Incorrect: "Моя сестра — портной." Correct: "Моя сестра — портниха." Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in gender; this mistake can lead to confusion or unintended humor in communication.

• Error: Forgetting case endings in sentences. Incorrect: "Я иду к портной." Correct: "Я иду к портному." Explanation: In the dative case (indicating direction), the noun must change form; English speakers often overlook this due to the lack of cases in English.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, tailors like "портной" or "портниха" hold a traditional role, especially in smaller towns or markets, where custom clothing is still valued over mass-produced items. Historically, during the Soviet era, state-run ateliers employed many tailors, emphasizing craftsmanship and personalization, which contrasts with modern fast-fashion trends.

Related Concepts:

• швея (seamstress)
• ателье (studio or workshop)
• пошив одежды (clothing sewing)