Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'asinine'

English Word: asinine

Key Russian Translations:

• Глупый [ˈɡlupɨj] - [Informal; Adjective; Used in everyday contexts to describe foolish behavior]
• Абсурдный [ɐpˈsurdnɨj] - [Formal; Adjective; Used in more intellectual or written contexts to denote absurdity]
• Идиотский [ɪˈdʲjotskʲɪj] - [Informal; Slang; Used for strong emphasis on stupidity, potentially offensive]

Frequency: Medium - The word and its translations are commonly encountered in Russian literature, conversations, and media, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1/B2) - Requires understanding of adjective inflections and contextual nuances; for "глупый" and "абсурдный", learners at this level should grasp basic usage, while "идиотский" may vary slightly in formality.

Pronunciation (Russian):

Глупый: [ˈɡlupɨj]

Note on Глупый: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may soften the 'ы' vowel.

Абсурдный: [ɐpˈsurdnɨj]

Note on Абсурдный: Stress on the second syllable; the 'р' is rolled, which is a common feature in Russian pronunciation.

Идиотский: [ɪˈdʲjotskʲɪj]

Note on Идиотский: The initial 'и' is pronounced as a short 'i', and the word has a diminutive or slang feel; avoid over-emphasizing the 'й' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Foolish or silly, often in a light-hearted or everyday sense (e.g., describing absurd behavior)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Глупый - Used in informal conversations to describe someone acting foolishly, such as in social settings or casual critiques.
• Идиотский - Applied in slang contexts for more intense stupidity, like in arguments or humorous situations.

Usage Examples:

• Его идея была такой глупой, что все засмеялись. (His idea was so asinine that everyone laughed.)

  English Translation: His idea was so foolish that everyone laughed. (Shows informal use in a social context.)

• Почему ты всегда говоришь глупые вещи на вечеринках? (Why do you always say asinine things at parties?)

  English Translation: Why do you always say foolish things at parties? (Illustrates interpersonal dialogue.)

• Эта глупая шутка обидела всех. (This asinine joke offended everyone.)

  English Translation: This foolish joke offended everyone. (Demonstrates negative consequences in a group setting.)

Meaning 2: Absurd or ridiculous, often in a more formal or intellectual context (e.g., criticizing illogical ideas)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Абсурдный - Used in formal writing, debates, or academic discussions to highlight illogical or preposterous concepts.
• Глупый - Can overlap but is less formal, suitable for everyday complaints about absurdity.

Usage Examples:

• Его аргумент был абсурдным и не выдерживал критики. (His argument was asinine and didn't hold up to scrutiny.)

  English Translation: His argument was absurd and didn't hold up to scrutiny. (Context: Formal debate.)

• В фильме было столько абсурдных сцен, что я не мог сосредоточиться. (The movie had so many asinine scenes that I couldn't focus.)

  English Translation: The movie had so many absurd scenes that I couldn't focus. (Context: Entertainment critique.)

• Абсурдная политика правительства привела к хаосу. (The government's asinine policy led to chaos.)

  English Translation: The government's absurd policy led to chaos. (Context: Sociopolitical discussion.)

• Глупый план компании обанкротил её. (The company's asinine plan bankrupted it.)

  English Translation: The company's foolish plan bankrupted it. (Context: Business analysis, blending meanings.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. For example, "глупый" changes as follows:

For "абсурдный" and "идиотский", similar inflection patterns apply as they are also adjectives. These are regular inflections, following standard Russian adjective rules. No irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Дурацкий - Similar to "глупый" but often implies playfulness; used in casual speech.
  • Безумный - Conveys a stronger sense of madness or irrationality.
• Antonyms:
  • Умный - Intelligent or clever.
  • Логичный - Logical or reasonable.

Related Phrases:

• Глупая идея - A foolish idea; often used to dismiss impractical suggestions.
• Абсурдная ситуация - An absurd situation; refers to comically illogical scenarios.
• Идиотский план - An idiotic plan; a slang phrase for a poorly thought-out strategy.

Usage Notes:

"Asinine" corresponds most closely to "глупый" in informal English-Russian translation, but choose "абсурдный" for more formal or intellectual contexts to capture the ridiculousness. Be mindful of tone: "идиотский" can be offensive, so it's best for casual or emphatic speech. In Russian, adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key grammatical difference from English. When selecting among translations, consider the audience—formal settings favor "абсурдный," while everyday talk suits "глупый."

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "глупый" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "глупый женщина" instead of "глупая женщина" (feminine noun).

  Correct: Глупая женщина (A foolish woman). Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender; this mistake often stems from direct English translation habits.

• Error: Overusing "идиотский" in formal contexts, which can come across as rude.

  Correct: Use "абсурдный" instead, e.g., "абсурдный аргумент" rather than "идиотский аргумент." Explanation: "Идиотский" has a slang connotation that may not fit professional or polite discourse.

Cultural Notes:

The concept of "asinine" behavior in Russian culture often ties into humor and satire, as seen in classic literature like Gogol's works, where foolish characters highlight societal absurdities. While not deeply rooted in specific historical events, it reflects a universal critique of irrationality, similar to English idioms.

Related Concepts:

• Умный
• Логичный
• Безумие