Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Damp'

English Word: damp

Key Russian Translations:

• влажный [ˈvlaʐnɨj] - [Adjective, General Use]
• сырой [sɨˈroj] - [Adjective, Often Negative Connotation, e.g., damp and cold]
• влажность [ˈvlaʐnəsʲtʲ] - [Noun, Refers to dampness as a condition]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday contexts related to weather or conditions)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate; "влажный" is easier, while "сырой" has nuanced usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

влажный: [ˈvlaʐnɨj]

Note on влажный: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "ж" sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, unique to Russian.

сырой: [sɨˈroj]

Note on сырой: Stress on the second syllable. The "ы" vowel is a distinct Russian sound, not found in English.

влажность: [ˈvlaʐnəsʲtʲ]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Slightly Wet (Adjective)

Translation(s) & Context:

• влажный - Used for slightly wet conditions, often neutral or positive (e.g., damp cloth, damp air).
• сырой - Used for dampness with a negative connotation, often implying cold or discomfort (e.g., damp weather).

Usage Examples:

• Ткань немного влажная после стирки.

  The cloth is slightly damp after washing.

• В комнате сыро и холодно.

  It’s damp and cold in the room.

• Воздух влажный перед дождём.

  The air is damp before the rain.

2. Dampness as a Condition (Noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• влажность - Refers to the state of dampness or humidity, often in technical or weather contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Влажность в этом регионе очень высокая.

  The humidity in this region is very high.

• Из-за влажности стены покрылись плесенью.

  Due to the dampness, the walls got covered with mold.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

влажный (Adjective): Declines according to gender, number, and case in Russian grammar.

Case	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Plural
Nominative	влажный	влажная	влажное	влажные
Genitive	влажного	влажной	влажного	влажных

сырой (Adjective): Follows similar declension patterns as "влажный".

влажность (Noun): Feminine noun, declines by case but not by gender.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for влажный/сырой:

• мокрый (wet, often more soaked than damp)
• влажноватый (slightly damp, colloquial)

Antonyms for влажный/сырой:

• сухой (dry)

Related Phrases:

• влажный климат - Damp climate (used for describing weather conditions)
• сырой подвал - Damp basement (implies discomfort or poor conditions)
• высокая влажность воздуха - High air humidity (technical or weather context)

Usage Notes:

• "влажный" is the most neutral and widely applicable term for "damp", suitable for both objects and air.
• "сырой" often carries a negative tone, implying discomfort, and is frequently paired with "холодный" (cold).
• "влажность" is strictly a noun and should be used when referring to the concept of dampness or humidity, not as an adjective.

Common Errors:

Error 1: Confusing "влажный" and "сырой". English speakers might use "влажный" in negative contexts, but "сырой" is more appropriate for unpleasant dampness.

• Incorrect: В подвале очень влажный. (sounds unnatural)
• Correct: В подвале очень сыро. (natural, implies discomfort)

Error 2: Using "влажность" as an adjective. It’s a noun and cannot describe something directly.

• Incorrect: Стена влажность. (grammatically wrong)
• Correct: Стена влажная. (correct adjective usage)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, dampness (especially "сыро") is often associated with discomfort or health concerns, particularly in homes or weather discussions. Russians might frequently mention "сырость" (dampness) as a negative factor in old buildings or during rainy seasons.

Related Concepts:

• мокрый (wet)
• сухой (dry)
• плесень (mold, often caused by dampness)