Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'blunt'

English Word: blunt

Key Russian Translations:

• тупой [ˈtupəj] - [Informal, Used for physical bluntness or dullness]
• прямолинейный [prʲɪməlʲɪˈnʲejnɨj] - [Formal, Used for straightforward or blunt speech]
• грубый [ˈgrubɨj] - [Informal, Often negative, used for blunt or rude behavior]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in specific contexts)

Difficulty: тупой - A2 (Beginner); прямолинейный - B1 (Intermediate); грубый - A2 (Beginner)

Pronunciation (Russian):

тупой: [ˈtupəj]

Note on тупой: Stress is on the first syllable. The 'у' sounds like the 'oo' in 'boot'.

прямолинейный: [prʲɪməlʲɪˈnʲejnɨj]

Note on прямолинейный: Stress on the fourth syllable. The soft 'л' and 'н' require a slight palatalization.

грубый: [ˈgrubɨj]

Note on грубый: Stress on the first syllable. The 'ы' is a distinct Russian vowel, pronounced like a short 'i' with rounded lips.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Physically Not Sharp (e.g., a blunt knife)

Translation(s) & Context:

• тупой - Used for objects like knives, pencils, or tools that are not sharp.

Usage Examples:

• Этот нож тупой, его нужно заточить.

  This knife is blunt; it needs to be sharpened.

• У меня только тупой карандаш, ты можешь дать точилку?

  I only have a blunt pencil; can you give me a sharpener?

• Тупая игла не прошьёт эту ткань.

  A blunt needle won’t sew through this fabric.

2. Direct or Straightforward in Speech (e.g., blunt criticism)

Translation(s) & Context:

• прямолинейный - Used for someone who speaks honestly or directly, often without tact.
• грубый - Used when the bluntness is perceived as rude or harsh.

Usage Examples:

• Он очень прямолинейный человек, всегда говорит, что думает.

  He is a very blunt person, always saying what he thinks.

• Её прямолинейные замечания обидели коллег.

  Her blunt remarks offended her colleagues.

• Не будь таким грубым, можно сказать это мягче.

  Don’t be so blunt; you can say it more gently.

• Его грубый ответ удивил всех на собрании.

  His blunt response surprised everyone at the meeting.

• Иногда прямолинейность лучше, чем ложь.

  Sometimes bluntness is better than a lie.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

тупой (Adjective): Declines according to gender, number, and case as a regular adjective.

Case	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Plural
Nominative	тупой	тупая	тупое	тупые
Genitive	тупого	тупой	тупого	тупых
Dative	тупому	тупой	тупому	тупым

прямолинейный (Adjective): Follows standard adjective declension patterns, similar to тупой.

грубый (Adjective): Follows standard adjective declension patterns as well.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for тупой (physically blunt):

• неострый
• затупленный

Note: неострый is more neutral, while затупленный implies something that was once sharp.

Synonyms for прямолинейный (blunt speech):

• откровенный
• честный

Note: откровенный often carries a positive connotation of honesty, unlike прямолинейный, which can be neutral or negative.

Antonyms for тупой (physically blunt):

• острый
• точёный

Antonyms for прямолинейный (blunt speech):

• дипломатичный
• тактичный

Related Phrases:

• тупой как пробка - Literally "blunt as a cork," meaning "very stupid" (Informal, derogatory).
• прямолинейный подход - "A blunt approach," often used in discussions of problem-solving or communication style.
• грубый тон - "A blunt tone," referring to a harsh or rude way of speaking.

Usage Notes:

• Choose тупой when referring to physical bluntness, such as tools or objects. It can also mean "stupid" in informal contexts, so be cautious.
• Use прямолинейный for describing someone's straightforward or blunt manner of speaking, often in a neutral or slightly negative tone.
• Opt for грубый when the bluntness has a rude or harsh connotation, especially in social interactions.
• Unlike English, where "blunt" can be neutral or even positive in some contexts (e.g., "blunt honesty"), Russian equivalents often carry a negative undertone unless contextually softened.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using тупой to describe blunt speech. Incorrect: "Он был тупой в разговоре." (He was blunt in the conversation.) Correct: "Он был прямолинейный в разговоре."
• Error: Using грубый for physical bluntness. Incorrect: "Этот нож грубый." (This knife is blunt.) Correct: "Этот нож тупой."
• Explanation: Mixing up the semantic fields of these words is a common mistake for English speakers due to the broader application of "blunt" in English.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, being прямолинейный (blunt or straightforward) is often valued as a sign of honesty, especially among close friends or in professional settings. However, excessive bluntness, especially if perceived as грубый (rude), can be frowned upon in formal or unfamiliar social contexts, where tact and politeness are prioritized.

Related Concepts:

• откровенность (frankness)
• честность (honesty)
• невежливость (rudeness)