прекрасный
prekrasnyy
The English word "lovely" is translated into Russian as прекрасный (prekrasnyy).
прекрасный is an adjective used to describe something that is beautiful, charming or very pleasing in its form, appearance, tone or manner. It is a more intense and elegant term than the common word хороший (good).
Meaning: beautiful, charming, very pleasing in form, looks, tone, or manner (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word contains the prefix пре-, which functions as an intensifier meaning "very" or "extremely".
Which one should you use?
While прекрасный means lovely or wonderful, it is more intense than the standard word for "good", which is хороший.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. The masculine form is прекрасный, the feminine is прекрасная, the neuter is прекрасное and the plural is прекрасные.
How do you pronounce it?
prekrasnyy
Did you know?
- The root of прекрасный is красный, which today means 'red'. In ancient Russian, however, красный meant 'beautiful', and the two meanings existed side by side for centuries.
- In Russian, if you describe someone as прекрасный, you are often complimenting their moral character and soul rather than just their physical looks.
- Using прекрасный too frequently in a casual chat can make you sound like a character in a dramatic play or a poem.
Examples in context
- Это был прекрасный вечер.It was a lovely evening.This sentence shows how to describe a lovely evening using прекрасный.Tatoeba #4953870 by odexed, translation #3733833 by CK
- Какой прекрасный сегодня день!What a lovely day it is today!This sentence shows how to express admiration for a lovely day using прекрасный.Tatoeba #4758193 by odexed, translation #242782 by CM
- Прекрасный денёк, не правда ли?Lovely day, isn't it?This sentence shows how to use прекрасный when asking if a day is lovely.Tatoeba #4655697 by sharptoothed, translation #925222 by cris
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Andrey and Ekaterina are looking at a photo of a flower.
- Екатерина EkaterinaЭтот цветок просто прекрасный.Etot tsvetok prosto prekrasnyy.This flower is simply lovely.
- Андрей AndreyДа, он очень красивый.Da, on ochen' krasivyy.Yes, it is very beautiful.
- Екатерина EkaterinaТебе нравится его цвет?Tebe nravitsya ego tsvet?Do you like its color?
- Андрей AndreyОчень, это прекрасный оттенок.Ochen', eto prekrasnyy ottenok.Very much, it is a lovely shade.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries прекрасный, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
