Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'visage'

English Word: visage

Key Russian Translations:

• лицо [ˈlʲitsə] - [Formal, used for the face or countenance]
• внешность [vnʲeʃnəsnʲəstʲ] - [Informal, used for overall appearance or features]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday and literary contexts, but not as ubiquitous as basic words)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires understanding of noun declensions and basic vocabulary; for 'лицо', it's straightforward, but 'внешность' may vary slightly in complexity)

Pronunciation (Russian):

лицо: [ˈlʲitsə]

Note on лицо: The soft 'л' sound (as in 'leaf') can be tricky for English speakers; stress is on the first syllable. Variations in regional accents may soften the 'ц' sound.

внешность: [vnʲeʃnəsnʲəstʲ]

Note on внешность: Pronounce with a soft 'н' and 'с'; the word has a rolling quality due to palatalization, common in Russian nouns.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The face or countenance of a person, often implying expression or features.

Translation(s) & Context:

• лицо - Used in formal, descriptive, or anatomical contexts, such as in literature or when discussing emotions.
• внешность - Applied in informal settings for general appearance, like in casual conversations about beauty.

Usage Examples:

• Его лицо выражало удивление.

  His visage expressed surprise.

• Внешность человека может обманывать.

  A person's visage can be deceiving.

• Она скрывала эмоции за маской на лице.

  She hid her emotions behind a mask on her visage.

• Внешность актера идеально подходит для роли.

  The actor's visage is perfect for the role.

• Лицо ребенка было покрыто улыбкой.

  The child's visage was covered in a smile.

2. Overall appearance or outward form, metaphorical or literal.

Translation(s) & Context:

• внешность - Common in contexts involving first impressions or physical descriptions.
• лицо - Less common here, but used metaphorically for "face" of an organization or concept.

Usage Examples:

• Его внешность произвела впечатление на всех.

  His visage made an impression on everyone.

• Внешность города изменилась за годы.

  The visage of the city has changed over the years.

• Лицо компании отражает её ценности.

  The visage of the company reflects its values.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'лицо' and 'внешность' are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard feminine declension patterns. 'Лицо' is a neuter noun in some contexts but typically treated as neuter in modern Russian (e.g., for 'face'). Here are the inflections:

Note: 'Лицо' has irregular plural forms in some cases, while 'внешность' follows regular patterns for abstract nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • облик (overall form; more poetic, used in literary contexts)
  • физиономия (face; informal, slightly humorous connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • уродство (ugliness; direct opposite in terms of appearance)
  • непривлекательность (unattractiveness; for 'внешность')

Related Phrases:

• Красивое лицо - A beautiful visage; used to describe attractive facial features.
• Изменить внешность - To change one's visage; common in contexts of makeup or disguise.
• Лицо толпы - The face of the crowd; metaphorical for public opinion or group expression.

Usage Notes:

'Visage' in English often carries a more formal or literary tone, similar to 'лицо' in Russian, which is preferred in descriptive writing. Use 'внешность' for broader appearances in everyday speech. Be mindful of gender agreement in Russian sentences; for example, adjectives must agree with the noun's gender. When choosing between translations, opt for 'лицо' in anatomical or emotional contexts and 'внешность' for holistic descriptions. In formal writing, 'лицо' might imply a person's identity, akin to 'face' in English idioms.

Common Errors:

• Confusing cases: English learners often use the nominative form everywhere, e.g., saying "Я вижу лицо" instead of the correct genitive in phrases like "Я думаю о лице" (I am thinking about the face). Correct usage: Always decline based on sentence role.
• Mispronouncing palatalization: For 'лицо', forgetting the soft 'л' sound, which might make it sound like 'lits-o' instead of [ˈlʲitsə]. Error example: Pronouncing as [litsə]; Correct: [ˈlʲitsə] with a softened consonant.
• Overusing in informal speech: Using 'лицо' in casual talk where 'физиономия' is more appropriate, leading to a stiff tone. For instance, saying "Его лицо забавное" when "Его физиономия забавная" fits better in humor.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'лицо' can extend metaphorically to represent honor or public image, as in the phrase "терять лицо" (to lose face), borrowed from Eastern concepts but adapted. This reflects a cultural emphasis on social propriety and personal dignity in interactions.

Related Concepts:

• глаза (eyes)
• улыбка (smile)
• облик (overall form)