Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'brindled'

English Word: brindled

Key Russian Translations:

• пёстрый [ˈpʲɵstrɨj] - [Adjective, General use]
• крапчатый [krɐpˈt͡ɕatɨj] - [Adjective, Formal, Often used in scientific or descriptive contexts]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday conversation but appear in literature, animal descriptions, or specialized texts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for "пёстрый"; B1 (Intermediate-Lower) for "крапчатый" (Requires understanding of Russian adjectives and their inflections, but basic forms are straightforward for learners at this level.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пёстрый: [ˈpʲɵstrɨj]

крапчатый: [krɐpˈt͡ɕatɨj]

Note on пёстрый: The initial "пё" sound involves a soft "ё" (like "yo" in "yonder"), which can be tricky for English speakers; practice the palatalization of the "p" sound. A common variation in casual speech might soften the final vowel.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Having streaks, spots, or a mottled pattern, typically used to describe animals or objects with mixed colors.

Translation(s) & Context:

• пёстрый - Used in general contexts for animals or fabrics with a variegated appearance, such as a brindled cow; common in everyday and literary Russian.
• крапчатый - Applied in more formal or technical settings, like biology or art, to describe spotted patterns; preferred when precision is needed.

Usage Examples:

• У этой коровы пёстрый окрас, что делает её уникальной в стаде.

  This cow has a brindled coat, which makes it unique in the herd.

• Пёстрый кот часто встречается в деревнях, где животные адаптируются к окружающей среде.

  A brindled cat is often found in villages, where animals adapt to the environment.

• Художник нарисовал пёстрый узор на ткани, имитируя естественные полосы.

  The artist drew a brindled pattern on the fabric, imitating natural stripes.

• Крапчатый пёс был предметом исследования в зоологии из-за его уникального окраса.

  The brindled dog was the subject of study in zoology due to its unique coloring.

• В осеннем лесу листья становятся крапчатыми, напоминая пёстрых животных.

  In the autumn forest, leaves become brindled, resembling spotted animals.

Meaning: Figurative use, implying a mix of elements or complexity (less common).

Translation(s) & Context:

• пёстрый - In metaphorical contexts, such as describing a diverse group or scene; informal and creative writing.

Usage Examples:

• Пёстрый рынок в Москве полон разнообразных товаров и людей.

  The brindled market in Moscow is full of diverse goods and people.

• Её пёстрый стиль жизни включает путешествия и приключения.

  Her brindled lifestyle includes travel and adventures.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "пёстрый" and "крапчатый" are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for most cases.

For "пёстрый" (irregular in some forms due to the soft sign):

For "крапчатый" (more regular):

Note: These adjectives do not change in short form or comparative degrees in standard usage for this context.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пятнистый (pyatnisty) - Similar to "spotted"; used interchangeably but often for more defined spots.
  • разноцветный (raznotsvetny) - Means "multicolored"; implies a broader range of colors, less specific to streaks.
• Antonyms:
  • однотонный (odnotonny) - Means "monochromatic" or "uniform"; directly opposite for solid colors.
  • ровный (rovny) - Means "even" or "smooth"; used for lack of patterns.

Related Phrases:

• пёстрый кот - A common phrase for "brindled cat"; refers to cats with mixed fur patterns, often seen in rural settings.
• крапчатый узор - Means "spotted pattern"; used in art or fashion to describe designs with spots.
• пёстрый лес - Translates to "brindled forest"; describes a forest with varied foliage, especially in autumn.

Usage Notes:

"Пёстрый" is the most direct translation for "brindled" in everyday contexts, especially for animals, while "крапчатый" is better for precise or scientific descriptions. In Russian, adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, so always check the noun's form. For example, use "пёстрый" for masculine singular and "пёстрые" for plural. This word is neutral in terms of formality but leans informal in spoken language. When choosing between translations, opt for "пёстрый" if the context is general and "крапчатый" for technical accuracy.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "пёстрый" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "пёстрый кошка" (incorrect feminine agreement).
  Correct: "пёстрая кошка" (The adjective must match the feminine noun "кошка").
  Explanation: Russian adjectives always agree with nouns; this is a common error for English speakers who treat adjectives as invariable.
• Mistake: Confusing with synonyms, e.g., using "пятнистый" when "крапчатый" is more appropriate for spots vs. streaks.
  Correct: Choose based on context; "крапчатый" for spots, "пёстрый" for mixed patterns.
  Explanation: Overgeneralizing synonyms can lead to imprecise meaning, as Russian has nuanced vocabulary for patterns.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "пёстрый" often evoke imagery from folklore or rural life, such as in fairy tales where animals with mixed colors symbolize adaptability or mystery. For instance, a "пёстрый кот" might appear in stories as a clever character, reflecting Russia's rich tradition of animal fables in literature like those by Pushkin.

Related Concepts:

• пятнистый
• разноцветный
• узорчатый