Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'wool'

English Word: wool

Key Russian Translations:

• шерсть [ʃɛrstʲ] - [Formal, Singular, Used in general contexts for animal fiber]

Frequency: High (Common in everyday language, especially in contexts related to clothing, animals, and materials)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it is a basic noun with straightforward usage in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

шерсть: [ʃɛrstʲ]

Note on шерсть: The pronunciation involves a soft 'т' sound (palatalized), which is a common feature in Russian nouns. Pay attention to the 'ш' as a voiceless postalveolar fricative, similar to the 'sh' in 'sheep'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: The soft, thick hair from sheep or other animals, used for making textiles.

Translation(s) & Context:

• шерсть - Used in formal and everyday contexts for natural wool fiber, such as in clothing or animal descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Эта куртка сделана из натуральной шерсти. (Eta kurtka sdelana iz natural'noy shersti.)

  This jacket is made from natural wool. (Context: Describing material in a shopping scenario.)

• Овцы дают шерсть для тёплой одежды. (Ovtsy dayut sherst' dlya tyoplой odezhdy.)

  Sheep provide wool for warm clothing. (Context: Educational or agricultural discussion.)

• В холодную зиму шерсть помогает животным сохранять тепло. (V kholodnuyu zimu sherst' pomogaet zhivotnym sokhranyat' teplo.)

  In the cold winter, wool helps animals stay warm. (Context: Scientific or natural explanation.)

• Я предпочитаю одежду из шерсти, потому что она мягкая. (Ya predpochtayu odezhdu iz shersti, potomu chto ona myagkaya.)

  I prefer clothing made from wool because it is soft. (Context: Personal preference in daily conversation.)

• Шерсть можно окрашивать в разные цвета для тканей. (Sherst' mozhno okrashiavat' v raznye cveta dlya tkanej.)

  Wool can be dyed in different colors for fabrics. (Context: Craft or manufacturing process.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Шерсть" is a feminine noun (3rd declension in Russian). It follows regular patterns for feminine nouns ending in a soft consonant. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender but changes based on case and number as shown.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Войлок (voylok) - Used for felted wool or denser materials; implies a processed form.
  • Шерстяной материал (sherstyanoy material) - More descriptive, for wool-based fabrics.
• Antonyms:
  • Хлопок (khlopok) - Cotton, as an alternative natural fiber.
  • Шелк (shelk) - Silk, contrasting in texture and origin.

Related Phrases:

• Натуральная шерсть (Natural'naya sherst') - Meaning: Pure, unprocessed wool; used in eco-friendly or high-quality contexts.
• Шерстяной свитер (Sherstyanoy sviter) - Meaning: Wool sweater; common in clothing discussions.
• Обрабатывать шерсть (Obrabatyvat' sherst') - Meaning: To process wool; refers to manufacturing steps like spinning or dyeing.

Usage Notes:

"Шерсть" directly corresponds to the English "wool" in most contexts, but it's primarily used for animal-derived fibers. In Russian, it's a feminine noun, so adjectives and verbs must agree in gender (e.g., "мягкая шерсть" for "soft wool"). Be cautious with formal vs. informal settings; in casual speech, it's straightforward, but in technical contexts like fashion or agriculture, pair it with qualifiers like "натуральная" for precision. If the English "wool" refers to synthetic materials, Russian might use "искусственная шерсть" instead.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the word without proper case agreement, e.g., saying "из шерсть" instead of "из шерсти" (genitive case for "from wool").

  Correct: из шерсти. Explanation: Russian requires nouns to change based on case; "из" governs the genitive case.

• Error: Confusing it with "шерстяной" (an adjective meaning "woolen"), e.g., using "шерсть" when describing a fabric's quality.

  Correct: Use "шерстяной" for adjectives, like "шерстяной свитер". Explanation: "Шерсть" is a noun, not an adjective, so misuse can lead to grammatical errors in descriptions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "шерсть" is often associated with traditional crafts like knitting and weaving, which have historical roots in rural life. For instance, wool from sheep is a staple in Russian folklore and winter clothing, symbolizing warmth and endurance in harsh climates. This reflects broader cultural values of resourcefulness and connection to nature in Slavic traditions.

Related Concepts:

• Овечка (ovechka) - Little sheep
• Ткань (tkani) - Fabric
• Валяние (valyaniye) - Felting (a process involving wool)