Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'airy'

English Word: airy

Key Russian Translations:

• воздушный [vɐzˈduʂnɨj] - [Formal, Descriptive]
• лёгкий [ˈlʲoxkʲɪj] - [Informal, Often metaphorical for light or breezy]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

воздушный: [vɐzˈduʂnɨj]

Note on воздушный: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "ш" sound is a retroflex fricative, distinct from English "sh."

лёгкий: [ˈlʲoxkʲɪj]

Note on лёгкий: Stress on the first syllable. The "ё" is pronounced as a stressed "yo," and the "г" is soft.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Light and Breezy (Physical Sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• воздушный - Used to describe something light, open, or filled with air, often in a literal sense (e.g., airy room).

Usage Examples:

• Комната была светлая и воздушная.

  The room was bright and airy.

• Воздушное платье развевалось на ветру.

  The airy dress fluttered in the wind.

• В этом доме всегда воздушная атмосфера.

  There is always an airy atmosphere in this house.

2. Light or Casual (Metaphorical Sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• лёгкий - Often used metaphorically to describe a carefree or light attitude, tone, or style.

Usage Examples:

• У неё был лёгкий и весёлый характер.

  She had an airy and cheerful personality.

• Его лёгкий тон разговора всех успокоил.

  His airy tone of conversation calmed everyone down.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

воздушный (Adjective): Declines according to Russian adjective rules based on gender, number, and case.

Case	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Plural
Nominative	воздушный	воздушная	воздушное	воздушные
Genitive	воздушного	воздушной	воздушного	воздушных

лёгкий (Adjective): Also declines as a soft-stem adjective with similar patterns but different endings due to the soft consonant "г."

Case	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Plural
Nominative	лёгкий	лёгкая	лёгкое	лёгкие
Genitive	лёгкого	лёгкой	лёгкого	лёгких

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for воздушный:

• лёгкий
• прозрачный

Note: "прозрачный" often implies transparency along with lightness, while "лёгкий" can be more metaphorical.

Antonyms for воздушный:

• тяжёлый
• душный

Synonyms for лёгкий:

• воздушный
• невесомый

Antonyms for лёгкий:

• тяжёлый
• серьёзный

Related Phrases:

• воздушный замок - "Castle in the air" (an unrealistic dream or fantasy).
• лёгкий ветерок - "A light breeze" (often used to describe pleasant weather).
• лёгкая походка - "A light step" (describing a graceful or carefree way of walking).

Usage Notes:

• Choosing between translations: Use "воздушный" when referring to something physically airy or open, like a space or fabric. Use "лёгкий" for metaphorical lightness, such as tone, mood, or personality.
• Register: "воздушный" is more formal and descriptive, while "лёгкий" is versatile and often used in everyday speech.
• Grammar: Both are adjectives and must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify.

Common Errors:

• Mixing up translations: English learners often use "лёгкий" when describing a physical space, which can sound odd. Correct: "воздушная комната" (airy room); Incorrect: "лёгкая комната" (sounds like "easy room").
• Pronunciation mistake: Misplacing stress in "воздушный" as [ˈvɐzduʂnɨj] instead of [vɐzˈduʂnɨj] changes the meaning or sounds unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "лёгкий" often carries a positive connotation when applied to personality or behavior, implying approachability and friendliness. Conversely, describing something as "душный" (stuffy, the opposite of airy) can metaphorically suggest oppression or discomfort, often used in social contexts.

Related Concepts:

• прозрачность (transparency)
• невесомость (weightlessness)
• свежесть (freshness)