Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'blind'

English Word: blind

Key Russian Translations:

• слепой [slʲɪˈpoj] - [Adjective, Formal/Informal]
• слепая [slʲɪˈpaja] - [Adjective, Feminine, Formal/Informal]
• слепое [slʲɪˈpoje] - [Adjective, Neuter, Formal/Informal]

Frequency: High

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

слепой: [slʲɪˈpoj]

Note on слепой: The stress is on the second syllable. The "й" sound is a soft glide, often challenging for non-native speakers.

слепая: [slʲɪˈpaja]

слепое: [slʲɪˈpoje]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Unable to see (literal)

Translation(s) & Context:

• слепой/слепая/слепое - Used to describe a person or animal who cannot see due to a physical condition.

Usage Examples:

• Он слепой с рождения.

  He has been blind since birth.

• Слепая собака нуждается в особом уходе.

  A blind dog needs special care.

• Это слепое животное ориентируется по звукам.

  This blind animal navigates by sound.

2. Figurative (ignorant or unaware)

Translation(s) & Context:

• слепой/слепая/слепое - Used metaphorically to describe someone unaware or oblivious to something obvious.

Usage Examples:

• Он слепой к её чувствам.

  He is blind to her feelings.

• Мы были слепы к очевидным фактам.

  We were blind to the obvious facts.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The word слепой is an adjective and changes according to gender, number, and case in Russian. Below is a simplified declension table for the singular forms:

Plural form (all genders): слепые. Declension follows standard adjective patterns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• незрячий (less common, formal)
• невидящий (rare, poetic)

Note: "незрячий" is often used in formal or medical contexts, while "невидящий" has a more literary tone.

Antonyms:

• зрячий (able to see)
• видящий (seeing)

Related Phrases:

• слепая любовь - Blind love (unconditional or irrational love)
• слепая вера - Blind faith (unquestioning belief)
• слепой случай - Blind chance (pure coincidence)

Usage Notes:

• The adjective слепой must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies, which is a key difference from English where "blind" remains unchanged.
• In figurative contexts, слепой often implies a lack of awareness or understanding, similar to English, but it may carry a stronger emotional connotation in Russian.
• Be cautious with tone; using слепой to describe a person in a literal sense should be done respectfully, often paired with context to avoid offense.

Common Errors:

• Error: Forgetting gender agreement, e.g., saying "слепой женщина" instead of "слепая женщина" for "blind woman."

  Correction: Always match the adjective's gender with the noun. Correct: "слепая женщина."

• Error: Using слепой in plural incorrectly as "слепой" instead of "слепые."

  Correction: Use "слепые люди" for "blind people."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, describing someone as слепой in a literal sense is often done with sensitivity, and euphemisms or contextual softening may be used in polite conversation. Additionally, expressions like "слепая любовь" (blind love) are common in literature and everyday speech, reflecting a cultural appreciation for metaphorical language.

Related Concepts:

• зрение (vision)
• слепота (blindness)
• незрячий (visually impaired)