Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Clean'

English Word: Clean

Key Russian Translations:

• чистый [ˈtʃistɨj] - [Adjective, Formal/Informal]
• чистить [ˈtʃistʲɪtʲ] - [Verb, Informal, Action of cleaning]

Frequency: High

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "чистый"); B1 (Intermediate for "чистить")

Pronunciation (Russian):

чистый: [ˈtʃistɨj]

Note on чистый: Stress falls on the first syllable; the "ы" sound is a unique Russian vowel, similar to a short "i".

чистить: [ˈtʃistʲɪtʲ]

Note on чистить: Stress on the first syllable; the soft "т" (palatalized) is common in Russian verbs.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Clean (Adjective - Free of dirt or impurities)

Translation(s) & Context:

• чистый - Used to describe something free of dirt, stains, or impurities (e.g., clean clothes, clean water).

Usage Examples:

• Эта рубашка чистая.

  This shirt is clean.

• У нас чистая вода в кране.

  We have clean water from the tap.

• Комната выглядит чистой после уборки.

  The room looks clean after tidying up.

2. Clean (Verb - To make something free of dirt)

Translation(s) & Context:

• чистить - Refers to the act of cleaning something by removing dirt or impurities (e.g., cleaning shoes, teeth).

Usage Examples:

• Я чищу обувь каждое утро.

  I clean my shoes every morning.

• Нужно чистить зубы два раза в день.

  You need to clean your teeth twice a day.

• Она чистит ковер пылесосом.

  She cleans the carpet with a vacuum cleaner.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

1. чистый (Adjective): Declines based on gender, number, and case. Below is the basic declension for singular forms:

2. чистить (Verb): A regular verb of the first conjugation. Below is the present tense conjugation:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for чистый:

• опрятный (neat, tidy - often for personal appearance)
• безупречный (impeccable - often for abstract cleanliness)

Antonyms for чистый:

• грязный (dirty)
• нечистый (unclean, impure)

Related Phrases:

• чистый лист (a clean sheet - meaning a fresh start or blank slate)
• чистить совесть (to clean one's conscience - to confess or make amends)
• чистая правда (the pure truth - absolute truth)

Usage Notes:

• "чистый" is primarily an adjective and can describe physical cleanliness or metaphorical purity (e.g., чистая совесть - a clear conscience).
• "чистить" is a verb and is used when referring to the action of cleaning specific objects. It often pairs with direct objects like "зубы" (teeth) or "обувь" (shoes).
• Be mindful of context: "чистый" won't work as a verb, and "чистить" can't be used as an adjective.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "чистый" as a verb. Incorrect: *Я чистый дом.* Correct: Я чищу дом. (I clean the house.) Explanation: "чистый" is an adjective, not a verb.
• Error: Forgetting to conjugate "чистить" properly. Incorrect: *Он чистить обувь.* Correct: Он чистит обувь. (He cleans the shoes.) Explanation: Verbs must match the subject in person and number.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, cleanliness, especially in personal appearance and home, is highly valued. Phrases like "чистота - залог здоровья" (cleanliness is the key to health) reflect this cultural emphasis. Additionally, "чистый" can carry moral or spiritual connotations, such as in "чистая душа" (a pure soul).

Related Concepts:

• уборка (cleaning, tidying up)
• гигиена (hygiene)
• порядок (order, neatness)