Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dim'

English Word: dim

Key Russian Translations:

• тусклый [ˈtuskɫɨj] - [Adjective, Used for light or brightness, often physical]
• смутный [ˈsmutnɨj] - [Adjective, Used for vague or unclear thoughts/ideas]
• приглушённый [prʲɪɡɫʊˈʂonɨj] - [Adjective, Used for subdued light or sound]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in specific contexts like lighting or abstract ideas)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "тусклый" and "приглушённый"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "смутный" due to abstract usage

Pronunciation (Russian):

тусклый: [ˈtuskɫɨj]

Note on тусклый: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "л" is pronounced softly.

смутный: [ˈsmutnɨj]

Note on смутный: Stress on the first syllable. The "т" is pronounced distinctly.

приглушённый: [prʲɪɡɫʊˈʂonɨj]

Note on приглушённый: Stress on the third syllable. Pay attention to the soft "р" and "ш".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Not Bright (Physical Light)

Translation(s) & Context:

• тусклый - Often used for faint or dull light (e.g., a dim lamp).
• приглушённый - Refers to subdued or muted light (e.g., dimmed room lighting).

Usage Examples:

• В комнате горел тусклый свет.

  A dim light was burning in the room.

• Она включила приглушённый свет, чтобы создать уют.

  She turned on dim lighting to create a cozy atmosphere.

• Тусклая лампа едва освещала стол.

  The dim lamp barely lit up the table.

2. Vague or Unclear (Abstract)

Translation(s) & Context:

• смутный - Used for unclear memories, ideas, or feelings.

Usage Examples:

• У меня остались смутные воспоминания о том дне.

  I have dim memories of that day.

• Его объяснение было смутным и непонятным.

  His explanation was dim and unclear.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

тусклый (Adjective): Regular adjective declension based on gender, number, and case.

Note: Similar declension patterns apply to "смутный" and "приглушённый".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for тусклый (dim light):

• блёклый
• слабый

Note: "слабый" can also mean "weak," depending on context.

Antonyms for тусклый:

• яркий
• светлый

Related Phrases:

• тусклый свет - Dim light (common description of faint illumination).
• смутное чувство - Dim feeling (used for vague emotions or intuitions).
• приглушённый тон - Dim tone (used for subdued voice or sound).

Usage Notes:

• "тусклый" is the most common translation for physical dimness, such as light or color.
• "смутный" is reserved for abstract or metaphorical dimness, such as unclear thoughts or memories.
• "приглушённый" often implies an intentional reduction of brightness or sound, unlike "тусклый," which suggests inherent faintness.
• Ensure agreement in gender, number, and case when using these adjectives in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "смутный" for physical dimness (e.g., light).
  Incorrect: Смутный свет.
  Correct: Тусклый свет.
  Explanation: "смутный" is for abstract concepts, not physical objects.
• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement with nouns.
  Incorrect: Тусклый лампа.
  Correct: Тусклая лампа.
  Explanation: "лампа" is feminine, so the adjective must match.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature and poetry, "смутный" often carries a melancholic or mysterious connotation, frequently used to describe vague memories or turbulent historical periods (e.g., "Смутное время" - Time of Troubles in Russian history).

Related Concepts:

• свет (light)
• тьма (darkness)
• неясность (vagueness)