Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Chilli'

English Word: chilli

Key Russian Translations:

• перец чили [ˈpʲerʲɪts ˈtʃilʲi] - [Neutral, Commonly Used]
• острый перец [ˈostrɨj ˈpʲerʲɪts] - [Neutral, Descriptive]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

перец чили: [ˈpʲerʲɪts ˈtʃilʲi]

Note on перец чили: Stress falls on the first syllable of "перец" and the first syllable of "чили". The "ч" is pronounced as in "church".

острый перец: [ˈostrɨj ˈpʲerʲɪts]

Note on острый перец: Stress is on the first syllable of both words. "Острый" has a rolled "r" sound typical in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Spicy Pepper (Culinary Context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• перец чили - Refers specifically to the chili pepper as an ingredient or plant.
• острый перец - Literally "spicy pepper", used more generally to describe any hot pepper.

Usage Examples:

• Я добавил перец чили в суп для остроты.

  I added chili pepper to the soup for spiciness.

• Острый перец выращивают в теплых странах.

  Spicy peppers are grown in warm countries.

• Ты любишь блюда с перцем чили?

  Do you like dishes with chili pepper?

• Этот острый перец слишком жгучий для меня.

  This spicy pepper is too hot for me.

• В магазине продается сушеный перец чили.

  Dried chili pepper is sold in the store.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

перец чили (Noun, Masculine):

острый перец (Adjective + Noun, Masculine): The noun "перец" declines as above. The adjective "острый" agrees in case, number, and gender with the noun.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• жгучий перец (fiery pepper, emphasizes spiciness)

Note: "жгучий перец" is less common and more expressive than "острый перец".

Antonyms:

• сладкий перец (sweet pepper, refers to bell peppers)

Related Phrases:

• молотый перец чили - Ground chili pepper (used as a spice).
• острый соус с чили - Spicy chili sauce (common in recipes).
• выращивать острый перец - To grow spicy peppers (agricultural context).

Usage Notes:

• "Перец чили" is the more specific term and directly corresponds to "chilli" as a type of pepper or ingredient. It is borrowed from English and retains the "чили" part unchanged.
• "Острый перец" can refer to any spicy pepper, not necessarily chili, and is a more general descriptive term.
• Both terms are used in culinary contexts, but "перец чили" is more likely to appear on menus or in recipes for specific dishes.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "чили" alone without "перец".
  Incorrect: Я купил чили.
  Correct: Я купил перец чили.
  Explanation: "Чили" by itself is not used in Russian to refer to the pepper; it must be paired with "перец" to mean "chili pepper".
• Error: Misplacing stress in "перец".
  Explanation: Stress is on the first syllable [ˈpʲerʲɪts], not the second. Mispronunciation can lead to misunderstandings.

Cultural Notes:

Chili peppers are not native to Russian cuisine, which historically favors milder flavors. However, with globalization, "перец чили" has become more common, especially in urban areas and international dishes. Spicy food is still less prevalent compared to other cultures, so the use of chili might be associated with exotic or foreign cuisine.

Related Concepts:

• специи (spices)
• острота (spiciness)
• соус (sauce)