Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'clammy'

English Word: clammy

Key Russian Translations:

• влажный [vlážnyj] - [Formal, commonly used for damp or moist conditions]
• липкий [lípkij] - [Informal, often for sticky or clammy surfaces like skin]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday descriptions of weather or physical sensations, but not as frequent as basic adjectives)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of adjective agreement and contexts, with 'влажный' being slightly easier and 'липкий' potentially more nuanced)

Pronunciation (Russian):

влажный: [vlážnyj] (Stress on the first syllable; the 'zh' sound is like the 's' in 'measure')

Note on влажный: The 'ж' sound can be tricky for English speakers; it's a voiced fricative, similar to the 's' in 'vision'.

липкий: [lípkij] (Stress on the first syllable; the 'p' is aspirated)

Note on липкий: Pay attention to the soft 'k' sound, which is palatalized in Russian, making it sound lighter than in English.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Damp, moist, or unpleasantly sticky, often referring to weather, skin, or objects.

Translation(s) & Context:

• влажный - Used in formal or neutral contexts for general dampness, such as humid air or wet surfaces.
• липкий - Applied in informal settings for something that feels sticky or clammy, like sweaty hands.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Мои руки были влажные после прогулки под дождем.

  English: My hands were clammy after walking in the rain.

• Русский: Воздух в комнате стал липкий из-за высокой влажности.

  English: The air in the room became clammy due to high humidity.

• Русский: Липкий пот на лбу сделал его лицо неудобным.

  English: The clammy sweat on his forehead made his face uncomfortable.

• Русский: Влажный климат в этом регионе затрудняет хранение продуктов.

  English: The clammy climate in this region makes it hard to store food.

• Русский: Её ладони были липкие от нервов перед выступлением.

  English: Her hands were clammy from nerves before the performance.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'влажный' and 'липкий' are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for most cases, though they are regular.

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular inflections, but always ensure agreement with the noun's gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: сырой (syroy - damp, especially for air or weather), мокрый (mokryy - wet, but more intense than clammy)
• Antonyms: сухой (sukhoy - dry; note that this is a direct opposite for dry conditions)

Related Phrases:

• влажный воздух - Humid air; used to describe muggy weather conditions.
• липкий пот - Clammy sweat; common in contexts of physical exertion or anxiety.
• влажный климат - Damp climate; refers to regions with high moisture levels.

Usage Notes:

'Clammy' in English often implies an unpleasant stickiness, which aligns closely with 'липкий' in Russian for tactile sensations, while 'влажный' is more neutral and fits general dampness. Use 'влажный' in formal writing or scientific contexts, such as weather reports, and 'липкий' in everyday conversations. Be mindful of adjective agreement with nouns, as Russian requires gender, number, and case matching. When choosing between translations, opt for 'липкий' if the context emphasizes stickiness, and 'влажный' for broader moisture.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'мокрый' (wet) instead of 'влажный' or 'липкий' for clammy conditions. Incorrect Russian: Мои руки мокрые. Correct Russian: Мои руки влажные или липкие. Explanation: 'Мокрый' implies soaking wet, which is stronger than 'clammy'; this can exaggerate the meaning.

• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., using 'влажный' with a feminine noun without changing to 'влажная'. Incorrect Russian: Влажный вода (for feminine 'вода'). Correct Russian: Влажная вода. Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree, so always adjust based on the noun's attributes to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'влажный' or 'липкий' might evoke discomfort in contexts such as the harsh, humid summers in regions like Moscow or St. Petersburg, where 'clammy' weather is common and often discussed in daily life or literature, symbolizing unease or poor health.

Related Concepts:

• мокрый (wet)
• сырой (damp, especially for raw or uncooked items)
• влажность (humidity)