Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'chubby'

English Word: chubby

Key Russian Translations:

• пухлый [ˈpuxlɨj] - [Informal, Often used for children or affectionate tone]
• полный [ˈpolnɨj] - [Neutral, General term for fullness or being overweight]
• толстенький [tɐlˈsʲtʲenʲkʲɪj] - [Informal, Diminutive, Endearing]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in informal and descriptive contexts)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate, depending on context and nuance)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пухлый: [ˈpuxlɨj]

Note on пухлый: Stress falls on the first syllable. The 'х' sound is a guttural fricative, unfamiliar to many English speakers.

полный: [ˈpolnɨj]

Note on полный: Stress on the first syllable. The final 'ый' is pronounced softly.

толстенький: [tɐlˈsʲtʲenʲkʲɪj]

Note on толстенький: Stress on the second syllable. The diminutive suffix '-енький' adds an affectionate tone.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Slightly fat in a cute or endearing way (often for children or pets)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пухлый - Used affectionately, often for chubby cheeks or hands of a child.
• толстенький - Informal and endearing, often for babies or small animals.

Usage Examples:

• У малыша такие пухлые щёчки!

  The baby has such chubby cheeks!

• Этот толстенький котёнок очень милый.

  This chubby little kitten is very cute.

• Её пухлые ручки крепко обняли меня.

  Her chubby little hands hugged me tightly.

2. Generally overweight or full-bodied (neutral or descriptive)

Translation(s) & Context:

• полный - Neutral term for describing someone as overweight or full-bodied, not necessarily endearing.

Usage Examples:

• Он стал довольно полный после отпуска.

  He became quite chubby after the vacation.

• Полная женщина сидела на скамейке.

  A chubby woman was sitting on the bench.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

пухлый (Adjective): Follows standard adjective declension in Russian, agreeing in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies.

Case	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Plural
Nominative	пухлый	пухлая	пухлое	пухлые
Genitive	пухлого	пухлой	пухлого	пухлых

полный (Adjective): Follows similar adjective declension rules as above.

толстенький (Adjective): Also declines as a standard adjective with a diminutive suffix, maintaining an affectionate tone across forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• упитанный (well-fed, chubby in a healthy way)
• круглолицый (round-faced, often for facial features)

Antonyms:

• худой (thin)
• стройный (slender)

Note: Synonyms like 'упитанный' may carry a more positive or neutral connotation compared to 'полный', which can sometimes imply excess weight.

Related Phrases:

• пухлые щёки - chubby cheeks (often used for children or in affectionate contexts)
• полное телосложение - chubby build (neutral description of body type)
• толстенький малыш - chubby little baby (endearing term for a child)

Usage Notes:

• The choice between 'пухлый', 'полный', and 'толстенький' depends on tone and context. 'Пухлый' and 'толстенький' are more affectionate and often used for children or pets, while 'полный' is neutral and can apply to adults or general descriptions.
• Be cautious with 'полный' as it can sometimes carry a negative connotation if used insensitively, implying someone is overweight.
• In Russian, adjectives must agree with the noun in gender, number, and case, which is a key grammatical point for learners.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'полный' in an affectionate context for a child, e.g., *Мой полный малыш* (My chubby baby).
  Correction: Use 'пухлый' or 'толстенький' instead, e.g., *Мой пухлый малыш*. 'Полный' sounds overly formal or critical in this context.
• Error: Incorrect adjective agreement, e.g., *Пухлый девочка* (wrong gender).
  Correction: Use *Пухлая девочка* (feminine form of the adjective).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, describing someone as 'пухлый' or 'толстенький' (especially children) is often seen as a positive or affectionate comment, reflecting health and well-being. However, terms like 'полный' can be sensitive when referring to adults, as attitudes towards body image vary widely.

Related Concepts:

• упитанность (being well-fed or chubby in a healthy sense)
• телосложение (body type or build)