Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'draughty'

English Word: draughty

Key Russian Translations:

• сквозняковый /skɐzˈnʲakəvɨj/ - [Formal, Adjective used for spaces with drafts]
• ветреный /ˈvʲetrʲɪnɨj/ - [Informal, Often for outdoor windy conditions, but can apply metaphorically]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversations about weather or home environments, but not as frequent as basic adjectives like "холодный").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective agreement and contextual usage; for 'сквозняковый', it's B1, while 'ветреный' might be A2 for simpler contexts).

Pronunciation (Russian):

сквозняковый: /skɐzˈnʲakəvɨj/

ветреный: /ˈvʲetrʲɪnɨj/

Note on сквозняковый: The stress falls on the third syllable ('nʲá'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'nʲ' sound; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Describing a space or area that allows cold drafts or wind to pass through, often implying discomfort.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сквозняковый - Used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as discussing home insulation or weather effects.
• ветреный - Applied in informal settings, especially for outdoor or metaphorical uses, like a "draughty" personality meaning unpredictable.

Usage Examples:

• В этой старой квартире всегда сквозняковый, особенно зимой.

  In this old apartment, it's always draughty, especially in winter.

• Окно не закрыто плотно, поэтому комната стала ветреной и холодной.

  The window isn't shut tightly, so the room became draughty and cold.

• Из-за сквознякового коридора все в доме мерзнут.

  Because of the draughty hallway, everyone in the house is freezing.

• Этот ветреный день делает прогулку по парку неприятной.

  This draughty day makes a walk in the park unpleasant.

• Сквозняковый чердак требует утепления, чтобы избежать проблем со здоровьем.

  The draughty attic needs insulation to avoid health issues.

Secondary Meaning: Metaphorical use, implying something unstable or unreliable (less common for 'draughty').

Translation(s) & Context:

• ветреный - In metaphorical contexts, like a "draughty" plan meaning fickle or changeable.

Usage Examples:

• Его ветреный характер часто приводит к неожиданным решениям.

  His draughty character often leads to unexpected decisions.

• Не доверяй этому ветреному предложению; оно может измениться в любой момент.

  Don't trust this draughty proposal; it could change at any moment.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'сквозняковый' and 'ветреный' are adjectives, which in Russian must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify. Russian adjectives follow regular patterns for most cases.

These adjectives are regular and do not have irregular inflections, making them straightforward once basic adjective rules are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • холодный (cold) - Often used interchangeably for chilly environments, but less specific to drafts.
  • дуноватый (breezy) - For lighter wind effects, with a more poetic connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • защищённый (protected) - Implies a sealed or warm environment.
  • тёплый (warm) - Direct opposite for temperature-related contexts.

Related Phrases:

• сквозняк в доме - A draft in the house; refers to unwanted air flow causing discomfort.
• ветреная погода - Windy weather; commonly used for outdoor conditions.
• избегать сквозняков - To avoid drafts; advice in health or home maintenance contexts.

Usage Notes:

'Draughty' directly corresponds to 'сквозняковый' in formal Russian, especially for indoor settings, while 'ветреный' is better for outdoor or metaphorical uses. Be mindful of adjective agreement: always match gender, number, and case with the noun. In informal speech, Russians might prefer simpler terms like 'холодный' to avoid complexity. When choosing between translations, use 'сквозняковый' for precise, technical descriptions and 'ветреный' for everyday or poetic language.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'сквозняковый' without proper inflection, e.g., saying "сквозняковый дома" instead of "сквознякового дома". Correct: Always inflect based on case; this mistake stems from English's lack of cases. Explanation: Russian requires agreement, so learn basic declension tables to avoid this.

• Error: Confusing 'ветреный' with weather-only contexts and misapplying it metaphorically, e.g., using it for a person without clear context. Correct: Provide context clues; for example, say "ветреный человек" only if implying unreliability. Explanation: This can make speech sound awkward, as metaphors need cultural familiarity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, drafts ('сквозняки') are often blamed for illnesses like colds, reflecting a historical belief in their health impacts. This stems from Russia's harsh winters, so phrases like 'не стой на сквозняке' (don't stand in a draft) are common parental advice, emphasizing prevention in daily life.

Related Concepts:

• холод (cold)
• утепление (insulation)
• погода (weather)