Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'woman'

English Word: woman

Key Russian Translations:

• женщина /ʐɨnʲˈɕinə/ - [Formal, General use]

Frequency: High (This word is commonly used in everyday Russian conversations and media.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; straightforward vocabulary for new learners of Russian, with basic grammar rules.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

женщина: /ʐɨnʲˈɕinə/

Note on женщина: The pronunciation features a soft 'н' sound (/nʲ/), which can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the 'ny' in "canyon." Stress falls on the third syllable. Variations may occur in dialects, but this is standard.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: An adult female human being.

Translation(s) & Context:

• женщина - Used in general, everyday contexts to refer to an adult woman, such as in descriptions or introductions. Common in both formal and informal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Эта женщина работает врачом в больнице. (Eta zhenschina rabotaet vrachom v bol'nitse.)

  This woman works as a doctor in the hospital. (Demonstrates use in a professional context.)

• В парке я увидел красивую женщину с ребёнком. (V parke ya uvidel krasivuyu zhenshchinu s rebyonkom.)

  In the park, I saw a beautiful woman with a child. (Shows use in descriptive, everyday scenarios.)

• Моя бабушка — мудрая женщина, которая многое повидала. (Moya babushka — mudraya zhenschina, kotoraya mnogo povidala.)

  My grandmother is a wise woman who has seen a lot. (Illustrates use in familial or reflective contexts, with adjective agreement.)

• Женщина за рулём — это обычное дело в современном мире. (Zhenschina za rulem — eto obychnoe delo v sovremennom mire.)

  A woman behind the wheel is a common thing in the modern world. (Highlights use in societal or gender-related discussions.)

• В истории России многие женщины были героинями. (V istorii Rossii mnogie zhenshchiny byli geroinyami.)

  In Russian history, many women were heroines. (Demonstrates plural form in historical or cultural contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Женщина" is a feminine noun in the first declension. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, changing based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is invariable in terms of gender (always feminine) and follows standard first-declension patterns. No irregular forms exist.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • дама (dama) - More formal or polite, often implying a lady of refinement; used in social contexts.
  • леди (ledi) - Borrowed from English, used in modern or ironic contexts for a stylish woman.
• Antonyms:
  • мужчина (muzhchina) - Direct opposite, meaning "man."
  • мальчик (mal'chik) - If referring to younger individuals, meaning "boy."

Related Phrases:

• Молодая женщина (Molodaya zhenschina) - Meaning: Young woman; used to specify age in descriptions.
• Работящая женщина (Rabotyashchaya zhenschina) - Meaning: Hard-working woman; common in professional or motivational contexts.
• Женщина в науке (Zhenschina v nauke) - Meaning: Woman in science; refers to women in STEM fields, highlighting gender roles.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "женщина" directly corresponds to the English "woman" as an adult female, but it's important to note its grammatical gender (feminine), which affects adjective agreement (e.g., "красивая женщина" for "beautiful woman"). Use it in formal and informal settings, but avoid in very casual slang where "баба" might be used (though that's less polite). When choosing between translations like "дама," opt for "женщина" for neutral, everyday use. Be mindful of cultural nuances, as Russian society may imply traditional roles in certain contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "женщина" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я видел женщина" instead of "Я видел женщину" (Accusative case).

  Correct: "Я видел женщину." Explanation: Russian requires case agreement with prepositions and verbs; here, "видел" (saw) governs the Accusative case.

• Error: Confusing with synonyms, e.g., using "дама" in a neutral context where "женщина" is more appropriate, like saying "Эта дама — мой сосед" (This lady is my neighbor) instead of "Эта женщина — мой сосед."

  Correct: "Эта женщина — мой сосед." Explanation: "Дама" implies formality or elegance, which might sound outdated or mismatched in everyday situations.

• Error: Forgetting plural forms, e.g., saying "женщина" when meaning multiple women, like "Я знаю женщина" instead of "Я знаю женщин."

  Correct: "Я знаю женщин." Explanation: Always adjust for number; plural requires "женщины" in Nominative and appropriate cases elsewhere.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "женщина" often carries connotations of strength and resilience, influenced by historical figures like female heroes in World War II or literary characters in works by Tolstoy. It reflects evolving gender dynamics, with modern movements promoting women's rights, but traditional views may still emphasize roles in family and society.

Related Concepts:

• девочка (devochka) - Girl (young female).
• мать (mat') - Mother (female parent).
• леди (ledi) - Lady (polite or Western-influenced term).