Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'vignette'

English Word: vignette

Key Russian Translations:

• Виньетка (Vin'jetka) - [IPA: vɪˈnʲjɛtkə] - [Informal; Used in artistic or literary contexts, such as photography or short stories]
• Короткий отрывок (Kratkiy otryvok) - [IPA: krɐˈtʲkʲɪj ɐˈtrɨvək] - [Formal; Plural forms possible; Used when emphasizing a brief narrative segment]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary and artistic discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and contextual usage; For "Виньетка", it may be A2 if limited to basic artistic terms)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Виньетка: [IPA: vɪˈnʲjɛtkə]

Note on Виньетка: The stress is on the second syllable; be cautious with the palatalized 'нʲ' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may soften the 'т' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A short, descriptive literary piece or scene (e.g., in writing or storytelling)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Виньетка - Used in formal literary contexts, such as describing a brief anecdote in a novel.
• Короткий отрывок - Applied in educational or analytical settings, emphasizing brevity and narrative focus.

Usage Examples:

• Эта книга начинается с маленькой виньетки о жизни в деревне.

  This book starts with a small vignette about life in the village.

• В его эссе есть несколько коротких отрывков, которые служат виньетками для главных идей.

  In his essay, there are several short excerpts that serve as vignettes for the main ideas.

• Писатель мастерски использует виньетку, чтобы передать эмоции персонажа.

  The writer masterfully uses a vignette to convey the character's emotions.

• Каждый короткий отрывок в этом сборнике — это самостоятельная виньетка с глубоким смыслом.

  Each short excerpt in this collection is a standalone vignette with profound meaning.

• Виньетка в конце главы добавляет поэтический оттенок повествованию.

  The vignette at the end of the chapter adds a poetic shade to the narrative.

Meaning 2: A decorative border or faded edge in photography or design

Translation(s) & Context:

• Виньетка - Common in visual arts, particularly photography, to describe edge effects.

Usage Examples:

• Фотограф добавил виньетку к изображению, чтобы сделать его более драматичным.

  The photographer added a vignette to the image to make it more dramatic.

• В графическом дизайне виньетка используется для смягчения краев фотографии.

  In graphic design, a vignette is used to soften the edges of a photo.

• Эта виньетка на обложке книги придает ей винтажный вид.

  This vignette on the book cover gives it a vintage look.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "Виньетка", which is a feminine noun (feminine gender in Russian), it follows the standard first declension pattern. It changes based on case and number. Below is a table of its inflections:

For "Короткий отрывок", it is a phrase where "Короткий" (short) is an adjective that agrees with "Отрывок" (a masculine noun). "Отрывок" follows the second declension for masculine nouns, with regular inflections similar to the above table.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Эскиз (Eskiz) - A quick sketch or outline, often used interchangeably in artistic contexts.
  • Фрагмент (Fragment) - Emphasizes a piece or segment, with a more neutral connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • Полное произведение (Polnoye proizvedeniye) - Full work or complete piece, contrasting with brevity.
  • Подробное описание (Podrobnoye opisaniye) - Detailed description, highlighting elaboration over succinctness.

Related Phrases:

• Литературная виньетка - A literary vignette; Used in writing to refer to a short, evocative scene.
• Виньетка в фотографии - Vignette in photography; Common in visual arts for edge effects, often implying a softening technique.
• Короткий повествовательный отрывок - Short narrative excerpt; Applied in storytelling to build atmosphere without full development.

Usage Notes:

• Виньетка directly corresponds to the English "vignette" in both literary and visual contexts, but in Russian, it may carry a more artistic nuance. Use it in formal or creative settings; avoid in casual speech.
• When choosing between translations, opt for "Виньетка" for photography and "Короткий отрывок" for literature to ensure precision.
• Grammatically, always decline the noun based on its case in a sentence, e.g., "Я читаю виньетку" (I am reading a vignette) in accusative case.
• In Russian culture, vignettes often appear in classic literature, so context matters for accurate usage.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Вignetka" with incorrect spelling or pronunciation, confusing it with the English word. Correct: Always use "Виньетка" and pronounce as [vɪˈnʲjɛtkə]. Explanation: Russian spelling is phonetic, so misapplying English rules leads to errors.
• Error: Failing to decline the noun, e.g., saying "Я вижу виньетка" instead of "Я вижу виньетку". Correct: "Я вижу виньетку" (I see a vignette). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook.
• Error: Using it interchangeably without context, e.g., applying "Виньетка" to a full story. Correct: Reserve for brief pieces only. Explanation: This can confuse native speakers who expect brevity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of a vignette is prominent in 19th-century literature, such as in the works of Anton Chekhov, where short, atmospheric scenes capture everyday life. This reflects Russia's literary tradition of introspection and realism, making "виньетка" not just a term but a window into cultural storytelling.

Related Concepts:

• Эскиз (Eskiz)
• Фрагмент (Fragment)
• Нарратив (Narrativ)