Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Athletic'

English Word: athletic

Key Russian Translations:

• атлетический [ɐtlʲɪˈtʲitɕɪskʲɪj] - [Formal, Often used for physical build or style]
• спортивный [spɐrˈtʲivnɨj] - [Informal, Commonly used for sports-related contexts or energetic personality]

Frequency: Medium (both terms are widely used depending on context)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations due to adjective agreement rules in Russian

Pronunciation (Russian):

атлетический: [ɐtlʲɪˈtʲitɕɪskʲɪj]

Note on атлетический: Stress falls on the third syllable. The "ч" sound is similar to "ch" in "church."

спортивный: [spɐrˈtʲivnɨj]

Note on спортивный: Stress on the second syllable. The "р" is rolled, and "ы" sounds like a short, neutral vowel.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Related to physical strength or build (e.g., an athletic body)

Translation(s) & Context:

• атлетический - Used to describe someone's physique or a style resembling an athlete's build.

Usage Examples:

• У него атлетическое телосложение.

  He has an athletic build.

• Она выбрала атлетический стиль одежды.

  She chose an athletic style of clothing.

• Его атлетическая фигура привлекает внимание.

  His athletic figure attracts attention.

2. Related to sports or an active, energetic nature

Translation(s) & Context:

• спортивный - Used for sports contexts, equipment, or describing someone energetic and active.

Usage Examples:

• Он очень спортивный человек.

  He is a very athletic (sporty) person.

• Мы купили спортивную обувь для похода.

  We bought athletic shoes for hiking.

• Её спортивный дух вдохновляет всех.

  Her athletic spirit inspires everyone.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

атлетический: As a Russian adjective, it agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies. Below is a basic declension table for the singular form:

Note: Plural forms follow standard adjective declension rules (e.g., атлетические in nominative plural).

спортивный: Similarly, it is an adjective with gender, number, and case agreement. Singular forms are shown below:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for атлетический:

• мускулистый (muscular, often informal)
• крепкий (strong, robust)

Note: "мускулистый" emphasizes visible muscles, while "крепкий" can imply overall strength.

Synonyms for спортивный:

• активный (active)
• энергичный (energetic)

Antonyms:

• слабый (weak)
• хилый (frail)

Related Phrases:

• спортивный зал (sports hall/gym) - Refers to a place for athletic activities.
• спортивная команда (sports team) - A group of athletes competing together.
• атлетическое соревнование (athletic competition) - A formal event for athletes.

Usage Notes:

• While both "атлетический" and "спортивный" can translate to "athletic," they are not always interchangeable. Use "атлетический" when describing physical build or appearance, and "спортивный" for sports contexts or personality traits.

• Russian adjectives must agree with the noun in gender, number, and case, which is a key grammatical point for learners to master.

• "спортивный" is more versatile and common in everyday speech, especially in informal contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "атлетический" to describe sports equipment or events (e.g., *атлетическая обувь* is incorrect). Correct: Use "спортивная обувь" (athletic shoes).

• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement (e.g., saying *спортивный женщина* instead of *спортивная женщина*). Explanation: Adjectives must match the gender of the noun; "женщина" (woman) is feminine, so the adjective must be "спортивная."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, being "спортивный" is often associated with a healthy and active lifestyle, which is highly valued, especially in the context of outdoor activities and team sports. The term may also carry a sense of youthfulness and vitality.

Related Concepts:

• физкультура (physical education)
• тренировка (training)
• здоровье (health)