Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Appetite'

English Word: Appetite

Key Russian Translations:

• аппетит [ɐpʲɪˈtʲit] - [Neutral, Common Usage]
• желание есть [ʐɨˈlanʲɪjə ˈjestʲ] - [Informal, Literal]

Frequency: High (especially "аппетит")

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "аппетит"); B1 (Intermediate for "желание есть")

Pronunciation (Russian):

аппетит: [ɐpʲɪˈtʲit]

Note on аппетит: The stress falls on the second syllable. The "а" is pronounced as a reduced vowel sound.

желание есть: [ʐɨˈlanʲɪjə ˈjestʲ]

Note on желание есть: Pay attention to the soft "л" in "желание" and the stress on the first syllable of each word.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Desire for Food

Translation(s) & Context:

• аппетит - Used generally to refer to hunger or desire to eat, suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
• желание есть - A more literal expression, often used informally to mean "wanting to eat."

Usage Examples:

• У меня сегодня хороший аппетит.

  I have a good appetite today.

• После прогулки у всех появился аппетит.

  After the walk, everyone got an appetite.

• У тебя есть желание есть? Я приготовил суп.

  Do you feel like eating? I made some soup.

• Его аппетит всегда удивляет меня.

  His appetite always amazes me.

• Нет никакого желания есть после такой тяжелой еды.

  I have no desire to eat after such a heavy meal.

2. Figurative Desire or Enthusiasm

Translation(s) & Context:

• аппетит - Used metaphorically to describe eagerness or enthusiasm for something (e.g., learning, work).

Usage Examples:

• У него большой аппетит к знаниям.

  He has a great appetite for knowledge.

• Ее аппетит к приключениям не знает границ.

  Her appetite for adventure knows no bounds.

• С возрастом аппетит к риску уменьшается.

  With age, the appetite for risk decreases.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

аппетит (noun, masculine, inanimate): Follows the second declension pattern in Russian. It changes based on case and number.

желание есть (phrase): "желание" is a neuter noun following third declension, while "есть" is an infinitive verb. The phrase structure does not change, but "желание" declines based on case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for аппетит:

• голод (hunger, more intense)
• охота (desire, often informal or figurative)

Antonyms for аппетит:

• отвращение (disgust)
• сытость (satiety, fullness)

Related Phrases:

• хороший аппетит - "good appetite" (used to wish someone a pleasant meal or describe someone who eats well)
• аппетит приходит во время еды - "appetite comes with eating" (a common proverb meaning interest or desire grows as you engage in something)
• нет аппетита - "no appetite" (used to express lack of hunger or interest)

Usage Notes:

• "аппетит" is the most direct and common translation for "appetite" in both literal and figurative senses. It is widely used in everyday speech and formal contexts.
• "желание есть" is a more descriptive phrase and less common, often used in informal settings to explicitly state a desire to eat.
• In figurative contexts, only "аппетит" is used, as "желание есть" is strictly tied to the physical act of eating.

Common Errors:

1. Misusing "голод" for "аппетит": English learners often confuse "аппетит" with "голод" (hunger). While "аппетит" refers to a general desire to eat, "голод" implies a stronger, more urgent need for food. Incorrect: "У меня большой голод" (I have a big hunger) when meaning a good appetite. Correct: "У меня хороший аппетит."

2. Overusing "желание есть": This phrase is less natural in many contexts where "аппетит" would suffice. Incorrect: "У меня желание есть после работы" (I have a desire to eat after work). Correct: "У меня аппетит после работы."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, wishing someone "хороший аппетит" (bon appétit) before a meal is less common than in some Western cultures, though it is understood. Instead, Russians often say "приятного аппетита" to express the same sentiment. Additionally, having a "good appetite" is often seen as a sign of health and vitality in Russian-speaking communities.

Related Concepts:

• голод (hunger)
• сытость (satiety)
• вкус (taste)