Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'brawny'

English Word: brawny

Key Russian Translations:

• Мускулистый /mʊsˈku.lʲɪ.stɨj/ - [Informal, often used in everyday descriptions of physical build]
• Крепкий /ˈkrʲep.kʲɪj/ - [Formal, implies strength and sturdiness, but less emphasis on muscles]

Frequency: Medium (These words appear regularly in Russian literature, media, and conversation, but are not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives like "хороший").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; involves understanding adjective inflections, which can be challenging for learners due to gender, number, and case variations. For "Мускулистый," the difficulty is slightly higher than "Крепкий" due to its less common root.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Мускулистый: /mʊsˈku.lʲɪ.stɨj/

Note on Мускулистый: The stress falls on the second syllable ("ku"), and the "лʲ" sound is a soft "l," which may be tricky for English speakers. Pronounce it with a clear, rolled "r" if emphasizing.

Крепкий: /ˈkrʲep.kʲɪj/

Note on Крепкий: The initial "крʲ" has a soft "r" sound; it's a common word, so practice with native audio for natural flow.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Physically strong and muscular (Primary meaning, describing someone with well-developed muscles and physical power)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Мускулистый - Used in informal contexts, such as sports or casual descriptions, to highlight muscular build (e.g., in fitness or bodybuilding discussions).
• Крепкий - Applied in more formal or general contexts, like health assessments, to denote overall strength without focusing solely on muscles.

Usage Examples:

• Он мускулистый атлет, который тренируется ежедневно.

  He is a brawny athlete who trains every day. (This example shows the adjective in a nominative context, describing a person in a fitness setting.)

• Её мускулистые руки свидетельствуют о годах тяжёлой работы.

  Her brawny arms are evidence of years of hard labor. (Illustrates use with a feminine noun, highlighting physical endurance.)

• Этот крепкий мужчина легко поднимает тяжёлые грузы.

  This brawny man easily lifts heavy loads. (Demonstrates "Крепкий" in a practical, everyday scenario, emphasizing strength.)

• Мускулистый торс модели привлекал внимание на подиуме.

  The brawny torso of the model caught attention on the runway. (Shows the word in a descriptive, aesthetic context, like fashion or media.)

• Крепкий и мускулистый, он стал идеальным кандидатом для роли в фильме.

  Brawny and muscular, he became the perfect candidate for the movie role. (Combines both translations to compare nuances in a narrative context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Мускулистый" and "Крепкий" are adjectives, which in Russian inflect for gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for first-declension adjectives. "Мускулистый" is less common and follows regular rules, while "Крепкий" is more straightforward.

These adjectives do not have irregular inflections but must agree in gender, number, and case with their nouns. For short forms (predicative), use: Мускуласт (masc.), Мускулиста (fem.), etc., though less common in modern usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Сильный (sil'nyj) - More general for strength, often interchangeable in casual contexts.
  • Крепкий - As listed, but can imply durability over pure muscle.
• Antonyms:
  • Слабый (slabyj) - Weak, contrasting with physical power.
  • Хилый (khilyj) - Frail or puny, emphasizing lack of muscle.

Related Phrases:

• Мускулистый торс - A brawny torso (Used in descriptions of physique, e.g., in fitness or art).
• Крепкий как дуб - As brawny as an oak (A simile for exceptional strength, often in idiomatic expressions).
• Мускулистые руки - Brawny arms (Common in contexts like manual labor or sports).

Usage Notes:

"Brawny" translates most directly to "Мускулистый" in informal settings, emphasizing visible muscles, while "Крепкий" suits formal or broader contexts where overall strength is key. English speakers should note that Russian adjectives must inflect to match the noun's gender and case, which can lead to errors. For example, use "Мускулистый" for masculine subjects but "Мускулистая" for feminine. Choose based on context: "Мускулистый" for aesthetic/physical descriptions, "Крепкий" for endurance-related ones. Avoid overusing in polite conversation, as it can sound overly direct.

Common Errors:

• Using the base form without inflection: Learners might say "Он мускулистый женщина" instead of "Она мускулистая женщина." Correct: Ensure agreement, e.g., "Она мускулистая" for feminine subjects. Explanation: Russian requires adjectives to change endings for grammatical harmony.

• Confusing with synonyms: Mistaking "Крепкий" for "Сильный" in muscle-specific contexts, e.g., saying "Он крепкий атлет" when "мускулистый" better conveys brawniness. Correct: Use "Мускулистый" for muscular emphasis. Explanation: Subtle differences in connotation can alter meaning, so context is crucial.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "Мускулистый" often evoke ideals of physical prowess tied to historical contexts, such as Soviet-era sports propaganda or traditional folklore heroes like bogatyrs (epic warriors). This can imply not just strength but resilience, reflecting cultural values of endurance in harsh environments.

Related Concepts:

• Атлетичный (athletic)
• Спортивный (sporty)
• Крепыш (a sturdy person)