Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dopey'

English Word: dopey

Key Russian Translations:

• глупый /ɡluˈpɨj/ - [Informal, everyday use for silly or foolish behavior]
• сонный /ˈsonnɨj/ - [Formal or neutral, specifically when meaning sleepy or drowsy]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in casual conversations but not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives)

Difficulty: B1 Intermediate (for 'глупый'); A2 Beginner (for 'сонный', as it follows regular adjective patterns)

Pronunciation (Russian):

глупый: /ɡluˈpɨj/ (Stress on the second syllable; the 'у' is pronounced like 'oo' in 'food')

сонный: /ˈsonnɨj/ (Stress on the first syllable; note the soft 'н' sound, which can be tricky for beginners)

Note on глупый: The 'п' is aspirated, and the ending changes based on gender and case, which affects pronunciation slightly.

Note on сонный: This word has a soft consonant cluster; practice with native speakers to master the nasal quality.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Silly, foolish, or stupid (referring to lack of intelligence or unwise behavior)

Translation(s) & Context:

• глупый - Used in informal settings to describe someone acting irrationally or making poor decisions.

Usage Examples:

• Он иногда бывает таким глупым, что забывает ключи дома.

  He sometimes acts so dopey that he forgets his keys at home.

• Не будь глупым и не трогай горячую плиту!

  Don't be dopey and touch the hot stove!

• Её глупый поступок стоил нам целого дня.

  Her dopey action cost us an entire day.

• Глупый вопрос, но я всё равно спрошу.

  It's a dopey question, but I'll ask anyway.

Meaning 2: Drowsy, sleepy, or under the influence (referring to a stupor or lethargic state)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сонный - Used in contexts involving fatigue or medication, often in more neutral or formal language.

Usage Examples:

• После таблетки он стал сонным и не мог сосредоточиться.

  After the pill, he became dopey and couldn't concentrate.

• Утро было сонным; все ходили как в тумане.

  The morning was dopey; everyone was walking around in a haze.

• Не води машину, если ты сонный от усталости.

  Don't drive if you're dopey from tiredness.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'глупый' and 'сонный' 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 first-declension adjectives.

For 'глупый' (irregular in some senses due to its root):

For 'сонный' (more regular):

These adjectives do not change for verbs but must agree with nouns in sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: дурацкий (more playful, often for actions), идиотский (stronger, more offensive)
• Antonyms: умный (intelligent, wise; differs from 'глупый' by implying positive cognitive ability)

Related Phrases:

• Глупый как пробка - Literally "dopey as a cork"; used to describe someone extremely foolish, with a humorous connotation in informal contexts.
• Сонный вид - "Dopey appearance"; refers to looking drowsy or lethargic, often in everyday descriptions.

Usage Notes:

'Глупый' directly corresponds to the informal English 'dopey' when meaning silly or stupid, but it can come across as more blunt or insulting in Russian culture, so use it cautiously in conversations. For the sleepy meaning, 'сонный' is a better match and is less likely to offend. Choose between translations based on context: opt for 'глупый' in casual, everyday scenarios and 'сонный' in health or fatigue-related discussions. Grammatically, always ensure the adjective agrees with the noun's gender, number, and case to avoid errors.

Common Errors:

• English learners often misuse 'глупый' for 'sleepy' contexts, saying something like "Я глупый" when they mean "I am dopey/tired." Correct usage: Use "Я сонный" instead. Error example: "Он глупый от усталости" (incorrect, implies stupidity); Correct: "Он сонный от усталости" (he is drowsy from tiredness). This confusion arises from the English word's dual meanings, but Russian separates them clearly.
• Another error is forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "глупый женщина" instead of "глупая женщина." Always adjust the ending based on the noun's form.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, using words like 'глупый' can be more direct and less euphemistic than in English, potentially leading to stronger emotional reactions. For instance, it might evoke humor in close relationships but offense in formal ones, reflecting Russia's value on straightforward communication in personal interactions.

Related Concepts:

• Умный (smart)
• Ленивый (lazy, often paired with 'сонный' in fatigue contexts)