Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cloudy'

English Word: Cloudy

Key Russian Translations:

• облачный [ˈobɫət͡ɕnɨj] - [Formal, General Use]
• пасмурный [ˈpasmʊrnɨj] - [Informal, Commonly Used for Weather]

Frequency: High (commonly used in weather contexts)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

облачный: [ˈobɫət͡ɕnɨj]

Note on облачный: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "ч" sound is a soft "ch" as in "church."

пасмурный: [ˈpasmʊrnɨj]

Note on пасмурный: Stress on the first syllable. The "р" is rolled slightly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Weather Condition (Overcast, Not Clear)

Translation(s) & Context:

• облачный - Used in formal or technical contexts, often in weather reports.
• пасмурный - More colloquial, often used in everyday conversation to describe gloomy or overcast weather.

Usage Examples:

• Сегодня облачный день, но дождя не ожидается.

  Today is a cloudy day, but no rain is expected.

• На улице пасмурно, возьми зонтик на всякий случай.

  It's cloudy outside, take an umbrella just in case.

• Небо стало облачным после обеда.

  The sky became cloudy after lunch.

• В пасмурные дни я чувствую себя грустно.

  On cloudy days, I feel sad.

• Прогноз обещает пасмурную погоду всю неделю.

  The forecast predicts cloudy weather all week.

2. Figurative Use (Unclear, Confused)

Translation(s) & Context:

• облачный - Rarely used figuratively, but can refer to unclear thoughts in poetic contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Его мысли были облачными, он не мог принять решение.

  His thoughts were cloudy; he couldn’t make a decision.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

облачный (Adjective): Declines according to Russian adjective rules based on gender, number, and case.

пасмурный (Adjective): Follows similar adjective declension patterns as above.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• тучный (less common, formal)
• хмурый (often for facial expression or weather)

Note: "хмурый" can also describe a person’s mood or expression, while "облачный" and "пасмурный" are more specific to weather.

Antonyms:

• ясный (clear)
• солнечный (sunny)

Related Phrases:

• облачный день - A cloudy day (common weather description)
• пасмурная погода - Cloudy weather (everyday expression)
• небо затянуто облаками - The sky is covered with clouds (descriptive phrase)

Usage Notes:

• Choosing Between Translations: Use "пасмурный" in casual conversation about weather, as it’s more common and natural. Opt for "облачный" in formal or written contexts, such as weather reports or scientific discussions.
• Figurative Use: The figurative meaning of "cloudy" (e.g., unclear thoughts) is less common in Russian and usually expressed with "облачный" in poetic or literary contexts.
• Grammar: Both adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify.

Common Errors:

• Incorrect Word Choice: English speakers might use "облачный" in casual speech, which sounds overly formal. Instead, use "пасмурный" when speaking informally. Example of error: *Сегодня облачный* (too formal for casual talk); Correct: *Сегодня пасмурно*.
• Agreement Errors: Forgetting to decline adjectives based on the noun’s gender or case. Example of error: *облачный погода* (incorrect gender agreement); Correct: *облачная погода*.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, weather discussions are a common small talk topic, especially in regions with frequent cloudy or overcast days (e.g., St. Petersburg). Describing the weather as "пасмурно" often carries a subtle connotation of gloominess or melancholy, reflecting how weather impacts mood in Russian-speaking regions.

Related Concepts:

• дождь (rain)
• туман (fog)
• погода (weather)