Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'zest'

English Word: zest

Key Russian Translations:

• азарт [aˈzart] - [Informal, often used in contexts of excitement or gambling]
• цедра [ˈtsedra] - [Formal, Culinary, referring to citrus peel]

Frequency: Medium - 'азарт' is moderately common in everyday and literary contexts, while 'цедра' is more niche in culinary discussions.

Difficulty: B1 for 'азарт' (Intermediate, as it involves understanding nuanced emotional expressions); A2 for 'цедра' (Beginner, as it's a straightforward noun).

Pronunciation (Russian):

азарт: [aˈzart]

Note on азарт: The stress falls on the second syllable ('zart'). This word has a soft 'a' sound at the beginning, which can be tricky for English speakers used to harder vowels.

Audio: []

цедра: [ˈtsedra]

Note on цедра: The initial 'ts' is a voiceless alveolar affricate, similar to 'ts' in 'bits', with stress on the first syllable. No major variants in standard Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Enthusiasm, vigor, or excitement (e.g., in activities or emotions)

Translation(s) & Context:

• азарт - Used in informal contexts like games, adventures, or passionate pursuits; implies a thrilling or addictive enthusiasm.

Usage Examples:

• Он играл в карты с большим азартом.

  He played cards with great zest.

• Её глаза горели азартом при виде новых вызовов.

  Her eyes burned with zest at the sight of new challenges.

• Азарт охоты заставил его забыть об усталости.

  The zest of hunting made him forget about his fatigue.

• В этой работе нужно подходить с азартом, чтобы добиться успеха.

  In this job, you need to approach it with zest to achieve success.

• Азарт соревнования мотивирует спортсменов.

  The zest of competition motivates athletes.

2. The outer peel of citrus fruits (e.g., in cooking)

Translation(s) & Context:

• цедра - Used in formal or culinary contexts, such as recipes or food preparation; refers specifically to the flavorful outer layer.

Usage Examples:

• Для этого рецепта добавьте цедру лимона в тесто.

  For this recipe, add the zest of a lemon to the dough.

• Цедра апельсина придаёт десерту особый аромат.

  The zest of an orange gives the dessert a special aroma.

• Не забудьте снять цедру с грейпфрута перед приготовлением.

  Don't forget to remove the zest from the grapefruit before cooking.

• В салате используется цедра лайма для кислинки.

  Zest of lime is used in the salad for tanginess.

• Цедра цитрусовых часто применяется в кондитерских изделиях.

  Citrus zest is often used in confectionery products.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Азарт' is a masculine noun (3rd declension) and follows standard Russian noun inflections. It is indeclinable in some contexts due to its foreign origin, but typically changes as below:

'Цедра' is a feminine noun (1st declension) and inflects regularly:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for 'азарт': энтузиазм (enthusiasm, more general), энергия (energy, physical vigor) - 'энтузиазм' is broader and less intense than 'азарт'.
• Synonyms for 'цедра': кожура (peel, but less specific to citrus).
• Antonyms: апатия (apathy, for 'азарт'), indicating a lack of excitement.

Related Phrases:

• С азартом - With zest; Meaning: To do something enthusiastically, often in a thrilling manner.
• Азарт игры - The zest of the game; Meaning: The excitement derived from playing or competing.
• Цедра лимона - Lemon zest; Meaning: The outer peel of a lemon used for flavoring in cooking.

Usage Notes:

'Азарт' best corresponds to the emotional or figurative sense of 'zest' in English, but it's more commonly associated with risk-taking or gambling in Russian culture, so use it cautiously in formal contexts. 'Цедра' directly matches the culinary sense and is straightforward. When choosing between translations, opt for 'азарт' for abstract enthusiasm and 'цедра' for literal peel. Grammatically, both nouns require attention to case endings in sentences, e.g., 'с азартом' (with zest) uses instrumental case.

Common Errors:

• Common mistake: English learners might overuse 'азарт' to mean general energy, confusing it with 'энергия'. Incorrect: "Я чувствую азарт каждый день" (implying constant excitement, which sounds unnatural). Correct: "Я чувствую энергию каждый день". Explanation: 'Азарт' implies intensity and often risk, so reserve it for specific exciting situations.
• Another error: Forgetting inflections, e.g., saying "в азарт" instead of "с азартом" in instrumental contexts. Incorrect: "Играть в азарт". Correct: "Играть с азартом". Explanation: Prepositions dictate case changes in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

'Азарт' carries a strong cultural connotation in Russia, often linked to gambling and games of chance, influenced by historical contexts like 19th-century literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works). It can evoke a sense of passion mixed with danger, reflecting Russian attitudes toward risk and emotion in daily life.

Related Concepts:

• энтузиазм
• энергия
• апатия
• кожура