Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'acidic'

English Word: acidic

Key Russian Translations:

• кислый /ˈkʲislɨj/ - [Adjective, Formal and Informal; used in everyday contexts like food or chemistry]

Frequency: High (Common in both spoken and written Russian, especially in scientific, culinary, and descriptive contexts).

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2 on CEFR scale; involves understanding adjective inflections and contextual usage, but the word itself is straightforward for learners with basic vocabulary).

Pronunciation (Russian):

кислый: /ˈkʲislɨj/

Note on кислый: The pronunciation features a palatalized 'k' sound (/kʲ/), which can be challenging for English speakers. Stress is on the first syllable. Variations in regional accents may soften the 'l' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Tasting sour or having a sharp, acidic flavor (e.g., in food and beverages)

Translation(s) & Context:

• кислый - Used in everyday informal contexts to describe sour tastes, such as in fruits or drinks.

Usage Examples:

• Этот лимон очень кислый и освежает в жару.

  This lemon is very acidic and refreshing in the heat.

• Кислый йогурт полезен для пищеварения, но не всем нравится его вкус.

  Acidic yogurt is good for digestion, but not everyone likes its taste.

• В рецепте салата добавьте кислый сок для баланса вкусов.

  Add acidic juice to the salad recipe for flavor balance.

• Кислый привкус в чае можно смягчить добавлением сахара.

  The acidic aftertaste in tea can be mellowed by adding sugar.

2. Relating to acid in chemistry (e.g., having properties of an acid, low pH)

Translation(s) & Context:

• кислый - Used in formal scientific or educational contexts to describe chemical properties, such as pH levels.

Usage Examples:

• Кислый раствор может вызвать коррозию металлов при контакте.

  An acidic solution can cause corrosion of metals upon contact.

• В лаборатории мы изучили, как кислый pH влияет на реакцию.

  In the lab, we studied how acidic pH affects the reaction.

• Кислый дождь наносит ущерб экосистемам из-за высокого содержания серы.

  Acidic rain damages ecosystems due to high sulfur content.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Кислый" is an adjective in Russian, which follows standard adjective inflection patterns. It changes based on gender, number, and case. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: The word inflects regularly, following the first declension pattern for adjectives. It does not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • кисловатый (slightly acidic; used for milder tastes, e.g., in subtle flavors)
  • острый (sharp; often implies a biting acidity, with a difference in connotation toward spiciness)
• Antonyms:
  • щелочной (alkaline; opposite in chemical contexts)
  • сладкий (sweet; opposite in taste contexts)

Related Phrases:

• кислый вкус - A sour or acidic taste; commonly used in food descriptions.
• кислый дождь - Acid rain; refers to environmental issues with acidic precipitation.
• кислый баланс - Acid balance; used in chemistry or health contexts to describe pH equilibrium.

Usage Notes:

"Кислый" directly corresponds to "acidic" in English, but its usage is versatile across contexts like gastronomy and science. In formal settings, pair it with precise modifiers (e.g., "очень кислый" for "very acidic"). Be mindful of gender and case agreements in sentences, as Russian adjectives must agree with the nouns they modify. For chemical contexts, it's often used interchangeably with English terms in scientific writing, but in everyday speech, it's more common for taste descriptions. If multiple translations exist, choose "кислый" for general acidity and "кисловатый" for subtler shades.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "кислый" incorrectly with nouns, e.g., saying "кислый вода" instead of "кислая вода" (for feminine noun).

  Correct: Кислая вода (Acidic water). Explanation: Adjectives in Russian must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun; here, "вода" is feminine, so "кислый" becomes "кислая".

• Error: Confusing "кислый" with "кислотный" (meaning "acidic" in a more chemical sense, like "acid-based").

  Correct: Use "кислый" for taste (e.g., "кислый лимон") and "кислотный" for chemical properties (e.g., "кислотный раствор"). Explanation: "Кислый" is broader and more common, but "кислотный" is specific to acids as substances.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "кислый" often appears in culinary contexts, such as describing traditional foods like kvass (a fermented beverage with a naturally acidic tang) or pickled vegetables in Russian cuisine. This reflects a cultural appreciation for sour flavors in everyday meals, which contrasts with some Western preferences and highlights the role of acidity in preserving and enhancing flavors in Slavic traditions.

Related Concepts:

• pH-уровень (pH level)
• щелочь (alkali)
• кислотность (acidity)