Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'turquoise'

English Word: turquoise

Key Russian Translations:

• бирюза [bʲɪˈruzə] - [Noun, Formal]
• бирюзовый [bʲɪˈruzəvɨj] - [Adjective, Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in contexts like fashion, art, and jewelry, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves basic vocabulary related to colors and materials, but requires understanding of noun and adjective inflections)

Pronunciation (Russian):

бирюза: [bʲɪˈruzə]

бирюзовый: [bʲɪˈruzəvɨj]

Note on бирюза: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'bʲ' sound, which is a palatalized consonant common in Russian.

Note on бирюзовый: Pronounce the ending '-ый' as [ɨj], which can vary slightly in informal speech to [ɨɪ].

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A semi-precious gemstone, typically blue-green in color.

Translation(s) & Context:

• бирюза - Used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as in jewelry descriptions or geological discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Эта бирюза издавна ценится за свой уникальный цвет.

  This turquoise has long been valued for its unique color.

• В музее выставлена коллекция древней бирюзы.

  In the museum, there is a collection of ancient turquoise on display.

• Бирюза часто используется в ювелирных изделиях.

  Turquoise is often used in jewelry pieces.

• Её ожерелье украшено настоящей бирюзой.

  Her necklace is adorned with real turquoise.

Meaning 2: The color blue-green, similar to that of the gemstone.

Translation(s) & Context:

• бирюзовый - Used as an adjective in descriptive language, such as in fashion, design, or nature descriptions; can be applied to objects, clothing, or environments.

Usage Examples:

• Её платье бирюзового цвета идеально подходит для лета.

  Her dress in turquoise color is perfect for summer.

• Море в этот день было бирюзовым, как на картинке.

  The sea was turquoise that day, just like in the picture.

• Бирюзовый оттенок стен создаёт спокойную атмосферу.

  The turquoise shade of the walls creates a calm atmosphere.

• В интерьере часто используют бирюзовый для акцентов.

  Turquoise is often used for accents in interior design.

• Его глаза имеют лёгкий бирюзовый блеск на солнце.

  His eyes have a slight turquoise gleam in the sun.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For бирюза (a feminine noun, 1st declension):

For бирюзовый (an adjective, follows standard adjectival declension):

Note: These follow regular Russian patterns, with no irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • бирюзовый цвет (for the color; literally "turquoise color") - Often interchangeable in descriptive contexts.
  • лазурный (for the color; implies a lighter blue shade, used in poetic or artistic language).
• Antonyms:
  • чёрный (black) - Contrasts with the bright, vibrant nature of turquoise.
  • серый (gray) - Used for dull or muted opposites in color descriptions.

Related Phrases:

• Бирюзовое море - A phrase for "turquoise sea," often used in travel or poetic descriptions to evoke exotic beaches.
• Бирюзовый оттенок - Means "turquoise shade," commonly in fashion or design contexts for color palettes.
• Камень бирюзы - Refers to "turquoise stone," used in jewelry-making or gemology discussions.

Usage Notes:

Turquoise in English can refer to both a gemstone and a color, which aligns closely with Russian translations. Use бирюза for the noun form when discussing the mineral, and бирюзовый as an adjective for color descriptions. Be mindful of grammatical gender and case in Russian sentences; for example, бирюза is feminine, so adjectives agreeing with it must also be feminine. In formal writing or speech, prefer these terms over less precise alternatives. When choosing between translations, opt for бирюзовый in artistic contexts and бирюза in material science.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using бирюзовый as a noun (e.g., saying "Я ношу бирюзовый" instead of "Я ношу бирюзу").
  Correct: "Я ношу бирюзу" (I wear turquoise, meaning the gem). Explanation: бирюзовый is an adjective and must modify a noun; misuse can confuse the sentence structure.
• Mistake: Incorrect inflection, such as saying "бирюза цвет" instead of "цвет бирюзы".
  Correct: "Цвет бирюзы" (the color of turquoise). Explanation: Russian requires proper genitive case for possession or description.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, turquoise (бирюза) has historical significance in jewelry and folk art, often associated with protection and good luck, similar to its symbolism in Native American traditions. It appears in traditional Russian crafts like enamel work and is featured in literature to evoke exoticism or natural beauty, such as in descriptions of the Black Sea.

Related Concepts:

• лазурь (azure)
• аквамарин (aquamarine)
• драгоценные камни (precious stones)