Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'acidulous'

English Word: acidulous

Key Russian Translations:

• кисловатый [ˈkʲɪsləvətɨj] - [Adjective, used for describing mild acidity in tastes, Informal]
• язвительный [jɪzvʲɪtʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Adjective, used for sharp or sarcastic speech, Formal or Literary]

Frequency: Medium (These words appear in everyday language, especially in contexts like food descriptions or literary discussions, but are not as common as basic adjectives.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as they involve nuanced meanings and require understanding of Russian adjective declensions; for "кисловатый," it's straightforward, while "язвительный" may need cultural context.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кисловатый: [ˈkʲɪsləvətɨj]

Note on кисловатый: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'к' sound, which is common in Russian adjectives.

язвительный: [jɪzvʲɪtʲɪlʲnɨj]

Note on язвительный: Pronounce the 'я' as a soft 'ya' sound; this word often has a more emphatic tone in spoken Russian due to its negative connotation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Slightly sour or acidic in taste

Translation(s) & Context:

• кисловатый - Used in everyday contexts to describe food or beverages with a mild, pleasant acidity, such as fruits or drinks.

Usage Examples:

• Этот лимонад кисловатый, но очень освежающий.

  This lemonade is acidulous but very refreshing. (Shows the word in a positive food context.)

• Яблоки в этом саду всегда кисловатые на вкус.

  The apples in this garden are always acidulous in taste. (Illustrates use with natural produce.)

• Этот соус слегка кисловатый, что придаёт блюду особый вкус.

  This sauce is slightly acidulous, which gives the dish a special flavor. (Demonstrates in cooking scenarios.)

• Кисловатый привкус чая делает его идеальным для жаркого дня.

  The acidulous aftertaste of the tea makes it perfect for a hot day. (Highlights sensory description.)

2. Sharp, biting, or sarcastic in manner (e.g., speech or tone)

Translation(s) & Context:

• язвительный - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe critical, ironic, or mocking language, often in discussions or writings.

Usage Examples:

• Его язвительный комментарий обидел всех на собрании.

  His acidulous comment offended everyone at the meeting. (Shows use in social interactions.)

• В её язвительном тоне чувствовалась скрытая обида.

  In her acidulous tone, there was a hidden resentment. (Illustrates emotional nuance.)

• Критик написал язвительный отзыв о фильме, но это сделало его интересным.

  The critic wrote an acidulous review of the film, but it made it intriguing. (Demonstrates in literary or media contexts.)

• Язвительный юмор автора привлекает читателей.

  The author's acidulous humor attracts readers. (Highlights in creative writing.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "кисловатый" and "язвительный" are adjectives in Russian, which means they follow standard adjective declension patterns. Russian adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify. They have short and long forms, but the long form is more common in modern usage.

For "кисловатый" (short form: кислovat; though rarely used):

For "язвительный" (short form: язвителен; also rare):

These adjectives do not have irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward for learners at B2 level.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for кисловатый:
  • кислый (more intense acidity)
  • острый (sharp in taste, with a slight difference in connotation)
• Synonyms for язвительный:
  • саркастический (sarcastic, often interchangeable but more neutral)
  • ироничный (ironic, with a lighter tone)
• Antonyms for кисловатый: сладкий (sweet)
• Antonyms for язвительный: добрый (kind), мягкий (gentle)

Related Phrases:

• кисловатый вкус - A slightly sour taste (Used in food criticism or descriptions.)
• язвительный комментарий - An acidulous comment (Common in debates or reviews, implying criticism.)
• слегка кисловатый лимонад - Slightly acidulous lemonade (A fixed phrase for beverages.)

Usage Notes:

"Acidulous" corresponds closely to "кисловатый" for taste-related meanings and "язвительный" for interpersonal or rhetorical ones. Choose "кисловатый" in casual, everyday contexts like describing food, as it's more neutral and informal. For "язвительный," it's best in formal writing or when emphasizing sarcasm, but be cautious of its negative connotations in Russian culture. Grammatically, always decline these adjectives to match the noun's gender, number, and case. If the English context is ambiguous, clarify based on whether it's literal (taste) or figurative (speech).

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "кислый" instead of "кисловатый" for mild acidity. Correct: Кислый implies a stronger, unpleasant sourness, while кисловатый is milder. Example: Incorrect - "Этот фрукт кислый" (if it's only slightly sour); Correct - "Этот фрукт кисловатый".
• Mistake: Confusing "язвительный" with "острый" in speech contexts. Correct: Остроый means sharp or pointed, not necessarily sarcastic. Example: Incorrect - "Его острый юмор" (if meaning acidulous); Correct - "Его язвительный юмор". This error can make the tone seem less negative than intended.

Cultural Notes:

"Язвительный" often reflects Russian literary traditions, such as in the works of authors like Chekhov or Dostoevsky, where sarcasm is used to critique society. It can carry a deeper cultural undertone of intellectual wit or social commentary, making it more prevalent in Russian humor than in direct, blunt criticism.

Related Concepts:

• кислота (acidity)
• сарказм (sarcasm)
• ирония (irony)