Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'valse'

English Word: valse

Key Russian Translations:

• вальс [valʲs] - [Noun, Formal, Used in music and dance contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in discussions of music, dance, or cultural events, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves basic noun inflections and vocabulary related to arts; learners at this level can grasp it with some practice)

Pronunciation (Russian):

вальс: [valʲs]

Note on вальс: The 'в' is pronounced as a voiced labiodental fricative, and the 'ь' (soft sign) palatalizes the 'л', making it softer. Pay attention to stress on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A ballroom dance in triple time with a strong emphasis on the first beat, originating from Austria.

Translation(s) & Context:

• вальс - Used in formal or artistic contexts, such as describing classical music or dance performances.

Usage Examples:

• Я учусь танцевать вальс для предстоящего бала.

  I am learning to dance the waltz for the upcoming ball.

• Вальс Штрауса всегда вызывает ностальгию.

  Strauss's waltz always evokes nostalgia.

• На свадьбе играли несколько вальсов, и все танцевали.

  At the wedding, several waltzes were played, and everyone danced.

• Этот вальс имеет сложный ритм, требующий точных движений.

  This waltz has a complex rhythm that requires precise movements.

• Вальс часто используется в фильмах для романтических сцен.

  The waltz is often used in films for romantic scenes.

Meaning 2: A piece of music composed for or in the style of this dance.

Translation(s) & Context:

• вальс - Applied in musical contexts, such as concert programs or descriptions of compositions.

Usage Examples:

• Композитор написал новый вальс для оркестра.

  The composer wrote a new waltz for the orchestra.

• Вальс в три четверти звучит очень элегантно.

  The waltz in three-quarter time sounds very elegant.

• Этот вальс стал хитом на музыкальном фестивале.

  This waltz became a hit at the music festival.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Вальс is a masculine noun (3rd declension) and follows standard Russian noun inflections. It is not irregular but changes based on case and number. Below is a table of its key inflections:

Note: In plural form, it refers to multiple waltzes or instances of the dance/music.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: танец (dance, general term), полонез (polonaise, another dance style) - Танец is more general and less specific to the waltz rhythm.
• Antonyms: марш (march) - Often used for contrasting fast, militaristic rhythms.

Related Phrases:

• Танцевать вальс - To dance the waltz; Used in social or performance contexts.
• Вальс-балет - Waltz ballet; Refers to a ballet piece incorporating waltz elements.
• Классический вальс - Classical waltz; Describes traditional styles like those by Strauss.

Usage Notes:

"Вальс" directly corresponds to "valse" as a borrowed term from French via German, often used in Russian for both the dance and music genre. It is typically formal and appears in cultural or artistic discussions. Be mindful of its gender (masculine) when using adjectives or verbs, e.g., "красивый вальс" (beautiful waltz). If multiple translations exist, choose "вальс" for precise musical contexts; for everyday dance, "танец" might suffice but lacks specificity.

• In spoken Russian, it's common in phrases like wedding descriptions.
• Avoid confusing it with modern adaptations; stick to classical usage for accuracy.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse the genitive case, saying "у меня вальс" instead of "у меня вальс" (correct for nominative, but for possession, use "у меня есть вальс" or "мой вальс"). Correct example: Error - "Я люблю вальс музыка" (incorrect word order and case); Correct - "Я люблю музыку вальса" (genitive for "of the waltz"). This error stems from direct translation without considering Russian case structures.

Cultural Notes:

"Вальс" carries romantic and historical connotations in Russian culture, often linked to 19th-century European balls and composers like Tchaikovsky. In Russia, it's associated with events like the International Tchaikovsky Competition, symbolizing elegance and nostalgia for imperial-era social gatherings.

Related Concepts:

• танец
• полонез
• симфония