Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'drunk'

English Word: drunk

Key Russian Translations:

• пьяный [ˈpʲjanɨj] - [Adjective, Informal, Singular]
• пьяница [ˈpʲjanʲɪtsə] - [Noun, Informal, Singular]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversations, especially in informal settings or literature discussing social behaviors).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic adjective and noun inflections, but the vocabulary itself is not overly complex for learners at this level).

Pronunciation (Russian):

пьяный: [ˈpʲjanɨj]

Note on пьяный: The initial 'пь' is a soft palatalized 'p' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like a quick 'py' with the tongue touching the palate. Stress is on the first syllable.

Audio: [Insert audio player placeholder for 'пьяный' pronunciation here, e.g., an embedded

пьяница: [ˈpʲjanʲɪtsə]

Note on пьяница: The 'ц' is a voiceless alveolar affricate, similar to 'ts' in 'cats', and the word has a stressed first syllable. Be mindful of the soft 'нʲ' sound.

Audio: [Insert audio player placeholder for 'пьяница' pronunciation here, e.g., an embedded

Meanings and Usage:

As an adjective: Intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol

Translation(s) & Context:

• пьяный - Used in informal or neutral contexts to describe a temporary state of drunkenness, often in social or everyday situations; avoid in formal writing.

Usage Examples:

• Он был пьяный после праздничной вечеринки и едва мог стоять на ногах.

  He was drunk after the holiday party and could barely stand on his feet.

• В баре мы увидели группу пьяных молодых людей, поющих песни.

  In the bar, we saw a group of drunk young people singing songs.

• После нескольких стаканов вина она стала пьяной и начала шутить.

  After a few glasses of wine, she became drunk and started joking around.

• Полиция остановила пьяного водителя на шоссе, чтобы предотвратить аварию.

  The police stopped a drunk driver on the highway to prevent an accident.

As a noun: A habitual drunkard or alcoholic

Translation(s) & Context:

• пьяница - Used to describe someone with a chronic drinking problem; often carries a negative connotation and is informal; not suitable for polite conversation.

Usage Examples:

• Его отец был известным пьяницей в деревне, и это разрушило семью.

  His father was a notorious drunk in the village, and it destroyed the family.

• Многие пьяницы ищут помощь в специализированных клиниках, чтобы преодолеть зависимость.

  Many drunks seek help in specialized clinics to overcome their addiction.

• В старом фильме главный герой изображён как закоренелый пьяница, борющийся с демонами прошлого.

  In the old film, the main character is portrayed as a hardened drunk struggling with demons from the past.

• Она отказалась встречаться с ним, узнав, что он пьяница.

  She refused to date him after learning that he was a drunk.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'пьяный' (adjective): This is a standard Russian adjective that follows the typical inflection patterns for first-declension adjectives. It changes based on gender, number, and case. Below is a table of its key forms:

For 'пьяница' (noun): This is a feminine noun of the first declension. It inflects regularly based on case and number, but does not change for gender as it is inherently feminine.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • захмелевший (zakhmelevshiy) - Similar to 'tipsy' or mildly drunk, often used for less severe intoxication.
  • опьяненный (op'yanennyy) - More formal synonym for being intoxicated, implying a deeper state.
• Antonyms:
  • трезвый (trezvyy) - Sober, the direct opposite in the context of alcohol consumption.

Related Phrases:

• быть пьяным - To be drunk; commonly used in narratives about social events. (Literal meaning: "to be drunk")
• пьяный водитель - Drunk driver; refers to someone operating a vehicle while intoxicated, often in legal contexts.
• закоренелый пьяница - Hardened drunk; an idiomatic phrase for a chronic alcoholic with a negative connotation.

Usage Notes:

'Пьяный' directly corresponds to the adjectival form of 'drunk' in English and is versatile in informal speech, but avoid it in formal contexts like business or official documents. 'Пьяница' aligns with the noun form and implies habitual behavior, so use it cautiously as it can be derogatory. When choosing between translations, consider the context: opt for 'пьяный' for temporary states and 'пьяница' for chronic ones. Grammatically, always inflect based on case, gender, and number in Russian sentences.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'пьяный' without proper inflection, e.g., saying "Он пьяный человек" instead of "Он пьяный человек" (correct, but learners often forget case changes). Correct: In genitive contexts, use "пьяного человека". Explanation: Russian requires agreement in case, so always adjust the adjective to match the noun's form.
• Mistake: Confusing 'пьяный' with 'пьяница' in adjectival contexts, e.g., saying "Он пьяница" to mean 'He is drunk' (incorrect, as it implies a noun). Correct: Use "Он пьяный". Explanation: 'Пьяница' is only for nouns referring to a person, not a state.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'пьяный' and 'пьяница' often reflect historical attitudes toward alcohol, influenced by traditions such as vodka toasting in social gatherings. However, they can carry stigma due to issues like alcoholism in literature (e.g., in works by Dostoevsky), highlighting the social and health implications rather than glorifying intoxication.

Related Concepts:

• алкоголь (alkogol) - Alcohol
• злоупотребление алкоголем (zloupotreblenie alkogolem) - Alcohol abuse
• трезвость (trezvost') - Sobriety