Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Acute'

English Word: acute

Key Russian Translations:

• острый [ˈostrɨj] - [Formal/Informal, Used for physical sharpness, severity, or intense conditions]
• резкий [ˈrʲezkʲɪj] - [Informal, Often used for sudden changes or harsh tones]
• проницательный [prənʲɪˈtsatʲɪlnɨj] - [Formal, Used for keen perception or insight]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in specific contexts like medical or descriptive language)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; varies by context and translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

острый: [ˈostrɨj]

Note on острый: Stress falls on the first syllable. The 'ы' sound is a unique Russian vowel, pronounced like a short, unrounded 'i'.

резкий: [ˈrʲezkʲɪj]

Note on резкий: The 'р' is rolled, and the 'е' is palatalized due to the following soft consonant.

проницательный: [prənʲɪˈtsatʲɪlnɨj]

Note on проницательный: Stress on the third syllable; a longer word requiring attention to soft consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Sharp or Severe (Physical or Medical Sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• острый - Used to describe sharp pain, acute illness, or a sharp object.

Usage Examples:

• У меня острая боль в животе.

  I have acute pain in my stomach.

• Это острый нож, будь осторожен.

  This is a sharp knife, be careful.

• У него острый аппендицит.

  He has acute appendicitis.

2. Sudden or Harsh (Change or Tone)

Translation(s) & Context:

• резкий - Used for sudden changes in weather, tone, or behavior.

Usage Examples:

• Погода резко изменилась.

  The weather changed suddenly.

• Он ответил резким тоном.

  He replied in a sharp tone.

3. Keen or Perceptive (Mental Ability)

Translation(s) & Context:

• проницательный - Used to describe insightful or perceptive thinking.

Usage Examples:

• Она очень проницательный человек.

  She is a very perceptive person.

• Его проницательный взгляд заметил все детали.

  His keen gaze noticed all the details.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

острый (Adjective): Follows standard Russian adjective declension rules based on gender, number, and case.

Case	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Plural
Nominative	острый	острая	острое	острые
Genitive	острого	острой	острого	острых

резкий (Adjective): Similar to острый, follows regular adjective declension.

проницательный (Adjective): Also follows standard adjective declension, though less commonly used in plural forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for острый:

• колкий (sharp, piercing)
• сильный (strong, intense - for pain or conditions)

Antonyms for острый:

• тупой (blunt, dull)
Ascendancy (mild, gentle)

Synonyms for резкий:

• грубый (rude, harsh)
• внезапный (sudden, unexpected)

Antonyms for резкий:

• мягкий (soft, gentle)

Related Phrases:

• острый угол - acute angle (mathematical term)
• острый на язык - sharp-tongued (quick to make witty or cutting remarks)
• резкий поворот - sharp turn (literal or figurative sudden change)

Usage Notes:

• The choice between "острый" and "резкий" depends on context. Use "острый" for physical sharpness or medical conditions, and "резкий" for suddenness or harshness in tone or behavior.
• "проницательный" is more formal and specific to mental acuity; it is rarely used in casual conversation.
• Be mindful of adjective agreement with the noun's gender, number, and case in Russian sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "резкий" for physical sharpness (e.g., "резкий нож" instead of "острый нож"). Explanation: "резкий" implies suddenness or harshness, not physical sharpness. Correct: "острый нож" (sharp knife).
• Error: Incorrect adjective endings due to gender/case mismatch (e.g., "острая боль" instead of "острая боль" is correct, but learners often forget agreement rules). Explanation: Always match the adjective to the noun's gender and case.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, being "острый на язык" (sharp-tongued) can be seen as a positive trait in certain contexts, reflecting wit and quick thinking, though it can also be perceived as rude if overdone. This duality reflects the value placed on cleverness in conversation.

Related Concepts:

• тупой (blunt, dull)
• чуткий (sensitive, perceptive)
• внезапный (sudden, unexpected)