Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'clodhopping'

English Word: clodhopping

Key Russian Translations:

• неуклюжий [nʲɪʊˈkluʐɨj] - [Informal; used for describing awkward or clumsy behavior]
• грубоватый [ɡrʊbɐˈvatɨj] - [Informal; used for somewhat rough or uncouth mannerisms]

Frequency: Low (This term and its translations are not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation; more prevalent in literary or descriptive contexts.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1; requires understanding of adjective forms and nuances, but not advanced grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неуклюжий: [nʲɪʊˈkluʐɨj]

Note on неуклюжий: The stress falls on the third syllable ("klu"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft "л" sound. Pronounce it with a palatalized "н" at the beginning.

Audio: []

грубоватый: [ɡrʊbɐˈvatɨj]

Note on грубоватый: The "г" is a voiced velar fricative, similar to the "g" in "go," and the stress is on the third syllable ("va"). Be mindful of the diminutive suffix for nuance.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Awkward or clumsy in movement (primary meaning of 'clodhopping')

Translation(s) & Context:

• неуклюжий - Used in informal settings to describe someone who is physically awkward, such as in sports or daily activities, often with a humorous tone.
• грубоватый - Applied in contexts involving rough or unrefined behavior, like in rural or casual environments, emphasizing a lack of grace.

Usage Examples:

• Он неуклюжий, как слон в посудной лавке, и всегда роняет вещи.

  He is as clumsy as an elephant in a china shop and always drops things. (This example shows 'неуклюжий' in a metaphorical idiom, highlighting exaggeration in everyday speech.)

• Её грубоватый стиль ходьбы напоминал крестьянскую походку.

  Her rough style of walking reminded one of a peasant's gait. (Illustrates 'грубоватый' in a descriptive context, linking to rural connotations.)

• Дети в саду были неуклюжими, но их энтузиазм компенсировал это.

  The children in the garden were clumsy, but their enthusiasm made up for it. (Demonstrates 'неуклюжий' with plural subjects and positive framing.)

• В горах его грубоватые шаги помогли преодолеть трудный путь.

  In the mountains, his rough steps helped him overcome the difficult path. (Shows 'грубоватый' in an adventurous context, where it implies resilience.)

• Неуклюжий танцор на вечеринке вызвал смех у всех гостей.

  The clumsy dancer at the party made all the guests laugh. (Uses 'неуклюжий' in a social setting, emphasizing humor and light-heartedness.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'неуклюжий' and 'грубоватый' 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 short and long forms.

For 'неуклюжий' (an adjective with regular inflection):

For 'грубоватый' (similarly inflected):

These adjectives do not have irregular inflections but must agree with the noun in gender, number, and case. If used as predicates, the short form is common.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: нескладный (awkward, but more about body structure), неловкий (clumsy in a social sense; differs from неуклюжий by implying embarrassment rather than physical bulk).
• Antonyms: грациозный (graceful), ловкий (agile).

Related Phrases:

• Неуклюжий как медведь - As clumsy as a bear; used to humorously describe someone's awkward movements. (Implies a gentle giant stereotype in Russian folklore.)
• Грубоватый юмор - Rough humor; refers to unrefined, straightforward jokes in casual conversations.
• Топтаться неуклюже - To shuffle awkwardly; a phrase for hesitant or clumsy walking.

Usage Notes:

'Clodhopping' corresponds closely to 'неуклюжий' in its depiction of rural or heavy-footed clumsiness, but in Russian, 'грубоватый' might be chosen for contexts emphasizing roughness over mere awkwardness. These words are typically informal and avoided in formal writing; use them in spoken language or literature. When selecting between translations, consider the nuance: 'неуклюжий' for physicality and 'грубоватый' for demeanor. Grammatically, ensure adjectives agree with the noun they modify to avoid errors.

• Always pair with appropriate gender and case for natural flow.
• In sentences, these words often appear in idioms, enhancing expressive language.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse 'неуклюжий' by confusing it with 'неловкий'; for example, saying "Он неуклюжий в разговоре" (incorrect for social awkwardness) instead of "Он неловкий в разговоре." Correct usage: "Он неуклюжий в движениях" (He is clumsy in his movements). Another error is forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., using "неуклюжий" with a feminine noun without changing to "неуклюжая." This can make sentences sound unnatural; always check for gender and case to ensure proper inflection.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'неуклюжий' often evoke images from folklore, such as the clumsy but endearing characters in fairy tales (e.g., a bear or a simple villager). This reflects a cultural appreciation for humor in human imperfections, contrasting with more polished Western ideals of grace.

Related Concepts:

• неловкий
• громоздкий
• нескладный