Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'whiff'

English Word: whiff

Key Russian Translations:

• дуновение /duˈno.və.nʲe/ - [Informal, often used for a brief puff of air or scent]
• запах /zəˈpax/ - [Common, typically for a smell or odor]
• промах /ˈpro.max/ - [Informal, specific to sports contexts like a miss or swing]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations appear in everyday conversation but are not among the most common Russian vocabulary items.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires basic understanding of Russian noun inflections and contextual usage, varying slightly by translation—e.g., 'дуновение' may be slightly harder due to its poetic connotations.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

дуновение: /duˈno.və.nʲe/

запах: /zəˈpax/

промах: /ˈpro.max/

Note on дуновение: The stress falls on the second syllable; be mindful of the soft 'нʲ' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in informal speech may soften the vowels.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A slight trace of something, such as a smell or air current (e.g., "a whiff of perfume")

Translation(s) & Context:

• дуновение - Used in poetic or descriptive contexts to describe a gentle breeze or faint scent, often in literature or casual descriptions.
• запах - Applied in everyday situations for any odor, positive or negative, such as in cooking or environmental descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Я почувствовал лёгкое дуновение свежего воздуха у окна.

  I felt a light whiff of fresh air by the window.

• Этот запах кофе разнёсся по всей комнате, напоминая утро.

  This whiff of coffee spread through the entire room, reminding me of morning.

• Дуновение осеннего ветра принесло листья в сад.

  A whiff of autumn wind brought leaves into the garden.

• Запах дождя всегда предвещает перемену погоды.

  A whiff of rain always foretells a change in weather.

A swing and a miss, especially in sports (e.g., "He took a whiff at the ball")

Translation(s) & Context:

• промах - Common in sports commentary, particularly for baseball or similar games, to indicate a failed attempt.

Usage Examples:

• Игрок сделал промах, пытаясь ударить мяч.

  The player took a whiff at the ball.

• Его промах в финале стоил команде победы.

  His whiff in the final cost the team the win.

• После промаха он быстро исправился и забил гол.

  After the whiff, he quickly recovered and scored a goal.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Most key translations like 'дуновение' and 'запах' are neuter nouns in Russian, which follow standard declension patterns. 'Промах' is a masculine noun. Below is a table outlining inflections for 'дуновение' as an example; other words have similar but distinct patterns.

For 'запах', it is also neuter and follows a similar pattern, but it is more commonly used in plural forms for multiple odors. 'Промах' as a masculine noun has irregular plural forms in some contexts and remains largely unchanged in informal use.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • дуновение: веяние (a gentle breeze, more poetic)
  • запах: аромат (for pleasant smells, with a positive connotation)
  • промах: осечка (specifically for mechanical or sports failures)
• Antonyms:
  • дуновение: шторм (storm, opposite of a gentle whiff)
  • запах: без запаха (odorless, literal absence)
  • промах: попадание (hit or success in sports)

Related Phrases:

• Лёгкое дуновение ветра - A gentle whiff of wind; used to describe subtle atmospheric changes.
• Приятный запах цветов - A pleasant whiff of flowers; common in descriptions of nature or perfumes.
• Сделать промах в игре - To take a whiff in the game; idiomatic in sports contexts.

Usage Notes:

• The English word "whiff" often corresponds to "дуновение" in sensory or atmospheric contexts, but Russian speakers might prefer "запах" for olfactory experiences to ensure clarity.
• In formal writing, use "дуновение" sparingly as it has a literary feel; opt for "запах" in everyday or scientific discussions.
• For sports, "промах" is the most direct equivalent, but always consider the specific activity—e.g., in baseball, it aligns perfectly, but in other contexts, rephrase for accuracy.
• When choosing among translations, prioritize based on context: sensory for "whiff" as a noun, action-oriented for verb forms.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "дуновение" with "ветер" (wind), leading to overuse. Error: "Я почувствовал ветер" instead of "дуновение" for a faint whiff. Correct: Use "дуновение" for subtlety to avoid implying a strong breeze.
• Mixing cases in inflections, e.g., saying "промаха" incorrectly in genitive. Error: "Я видел промаха" (incorrect). Correct: "Я видел промах" in nominative or "промаха" properly inflected, and explain that masculine nouns like this follow standard patterns.
• Overgeneralizing "запах" for any whiff; it doesn't capture non-olfactory uses. Error: Translating "a whiff of air" as "запах воздуха." Correct: Use "дуновение воздуха" for precision.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "дуновение" often appear in poetry and literature (e.g., in works by Pushkin), evoking romantic or nostalgic feelings about nature. This reflects a broader appreciation for subtle environmental details in Russian art, contrasting with more direct English usage.

Related Concepts:

• веяние
• аромат
• осечка