Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'drool'

English Word: drool

Key Russian Translations:

• слюни /ˈslʲunʲi/ - [Informal, Plural; Refers to saliva in everyday contexts]
• слюнотечение /slʲʊnətʲɪˈt͡ɕenʲje/ - [Formal; Used in medical or descriptive contexts, such as excessive salivation]

Frequency: Medium (Common in casual conversation and literature, but not as frequent as basic everyday words)

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary; Straightforward for beginners, but requires basic understanding of Russian noun declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

слюни: /ˈslʲunʲi/

слюнотечение: /slʲʊnətʲɪˈt͡ɕenʲje/

Note on слюни: The initial "slʲ" sound is a soft lateral approximant, which can be challenging for English speakers; practice with native audio to master the palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Noun: Saliva that flows from the mouth, often involuntarily (e.g., when sleeping or excited)

Translation(s) & Context:

• слюни - Used in informal, everyday situations, such as describing a child's behavior or humorous contexts.
• слюнотечение - Applied in formal or medical contexts, like veterinary or human health discussions.

Usage Examples:

• У ребёнка текут слюни, когда он видит конфеты.

  The child is drooling when he sees candies. (This example shows the word in a casual, familial context, highlighting involuntary salivation.)

• Собака лежит на ковре и пускает слюни во сне.

  The dog is lying on the rug and drooling in its sleep. (Illustrates use in describing animal behavior, common in informal narratives.)

• Врачи диагностировали слюнотечение как симптом аллергии.

  Doctors diagnosed drooling as a symptom of an allergy. (Demonstrates formal usage in a medical setting, with a more technical term.)

• Из-за жары у него началось слюнотечение.

  Due to the heat, he started drooling. (Shows the word in a descriptive, everyday health context.)

• Малыш пускает слюни, играя с новой игрушкой.

  The baby is drooling while playing with a new toy. (Exemplifies varied grammar, such as with verbs like "пускает" for ongoing action.)

2. Verb form (implied): To produce saliva excessively, often metaphorically for desire

Translation(s) & Context:

• пустить слюни - Informal expression for drooling due to excitement or greed, used in idiomatic speech.

Usage Examples:

• Он увидел вкусный торт и сразу пустил слюни.

  He saw the delicious cake and immediately started drooling. (This shows metaphorical use for strong desire in informal settings.)

• При виде машины мечты, он не смог удержаться и пустил слюни.

  At the sight of his dream car, he couldn't hold back and started drooling. (Illustrates idiomatic expression in conversational Russian.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For слюни (a plural noun, feminine): It is an irregular plural form and does not have a singular counterpart in common usage. It follows standard Russian declension for plural nouns.

For слюнотечение (a neuter noun): It is a regular neuter noun and inflects according to standard patterns.

Note: These words do not change for verb forms directly; phrases like "пустить слюни" use standard verb inflections (e.g., пускать in imperfective aspect).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • слюна (more general term for saliva)
  • отделение слюны (a descriptive phrase for salivation process; differs by being more formal and explanatory)
• Antonyms:
  • сухость во рту (dry mouth; implies the opposite condition)

Related Phrases:

• Пустить слюни - To start drooling (often metaphorically for greed or excitement; used in informal contexts to describe strong desires).
• Слюни на поводок - Drool on a leash (a playful idiom for uncontrollable salivation, sometimes in pet-related humor).
• Избыточное слюнотечение - Excessive drooling (a formal phrase in medical discussions, indicating a symptom of illness).

Usage Notes:

• While "drool" is primarily a noun in English, Russian often expresses it through nouns like "слюни" or phrases; choose "слюнотечение" for formal writing to match precise contexts.
• Be mindful of register: "слюни" is casual and can sound childish or humorous, whereas "слюнотечение" is neutral and professional.
• In sentences, ensure correct declension based on case (e.g., genitive for possession); for learners, start with nominative forms to build confidence.
• When multiple translations exist, select based on context: use "слюни" for everyday talk and "слюнотечение" for technical scenarios.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "слюни" in formal medical contexts, e.g., saying "у пациента слюни" instead of "у пациента слюнотечение".
  Correct: "У пациента наблюдается слюнотечение." (Explanation: "Слюни" sounds too informal and may undermine seriousness; opt for the more precise term in professional settings.)
• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., saying "о слюни" (wrong genitive) instead of "о слюнях".
  Correct: "О слюнях" (Explanation: As a plural noun, it must follow plural declension rules to avoid grammatical errors.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like "пустить слюни" are often used humorously in literature or everyday speech to depict gluttony or desire, as seen in folk tales where characters drool over food. This reflects a light-hearted approach to human instincts, contrasting with more clinical views in English-speaking contexts.

Related Concepts:

• слюна
• отрыжка
• аппетит