Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dryness'

English Word: dryness

Key Russian Translations:

• сухость [sʊˈxostʲ] - [Formal, Singular, Used in scientific or everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions about weather, health, and abstract concepts, but not as frequent as basic everyday words).

Difficulty: A2 (Basic; suitable for elementary learners, as it follows standard noun patterns in Russian).

Pronunciation (Russian):

сухость: [sʊˈxostʲ]

Note on сухость: The stress falls on the second syllable ("xostʲ"). The "х" sound is a voiceless velar fricative, similar to the "ch" in Scottish "loch," which can be challenging for English speakers. Be careful with the soft "tʲ" at the end.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Physical or literal dryness (e.g., lack of moisture)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сухость - Used in contexts related to weather, skin, or environments, such as describing arid conditions or dehydrated states.

Usage Examples:

• В пустыне царит постоянная сухость. (In the desert, there is constant dryness.)

  Translation: In the desert, there is constant dryness.

• Из-за сухости кожи она использует увлажняющий крем. (Due to the dryness of the skin, she uses a moisturizing cream.)

  Translation: Due to the dryness of the skin, she uses a moisturizing cream.

• Сухость воздуха в зимние месяцы вызывает проблемы с дыханием. (The dryness of the air in winter months causes breathing problems.)

  Translation: The dryness of the air in winter months causes breathing problems.

• Сельскохозяйственные культуры страдают от сухости почвы. (Agricultural crops suffer from the dryness of the soil.)

  Translation: Agricultural crops suffer from the dryness of the soil.

• Климат здесь характеризуется экстремальной сухостью. (The climate here is characterized by extreme dryness.)

  Translation: The climate here is characterized by extreme dryness. This example shows the word in a geographical context.

2. Abstract or figurative dryness (e.g., lack of emotion, humor, or interest)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сухость - Used metaphorically in literary or conversational contexts to describe something dull or unemotional.

Usage Examples:

• Его речь была отмечена сухостью, без каких-либо эмоций. (His speech was marked by dryness, without any emotions.)

  Translation: His speech was marked by dryness, without any emotions.

• Сухость юмора в этой книге отпугивает читателей. (The dryness of humor in this book repels readers.)

  Translation: The dryness of humor in this book repels readers. This highlights figurative use in literature.

• В её письме ощущается сухость, словно она не вложила душу. (In her letter, there is a sense of dryness, as if she didn't put her heart into it.)

  Translation: In her letter, there is a sense of dryness, as if she didn't put her heart into it.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"сухость" is a feminine noun of the first declension in Russian. It follows standard patterns for feminine nouns ending in -ость, which are invariable in terms of gender but change according to case and number.

Note: This noun does not have irregular inflections, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: безводность (bezvodnost' – emphasizes complete lack of water), аридность (aridnost' – more scientific, relating to arid regions)
• безводность is often used interchangeably but may imply a more extreme absence of moisture.
• Antonyms: влажность (vlaghnost' – humidity), сытость (sytost' – saturation or wetness in a figurative sense)

Related Phrases:

• сухость воздуха – (Dryness of the air; commonly used in weather reports or health discussions.)
• сухость кожи – (Dryness of the skin; refers to dermatological conditions.)
• сухость стиля – (Dryness of style; used in literary criticism to describe unemotional writing.)

Usage Notes:

"Сухость" directly corresponds to the English "dryness" in both literal and figurative senses, but Russian speakers often pair it with specific nouns for clarity (e.g., "сухость воздуха"). It is neutral in tone and can be used in formal or informal settings. When choosing between translations, opt for "сухость" for general purposes; use alternatives like "безводность" for emphasis on aridity. Grammatically, remember it requires feminine agreement in adjectives and verbs.

• In scientific contexts, it's common in phrases like environmental reports.
• Avoid overusing in casual speech; English learners might confuse it with "сухой" (dry as an adjective).

Common Errors:

English learners often mistake "сухость" for the adjective "сухой" (dry), leading to incorrect sentence structures. For example:

• Error: *Сухость дом (Intended: The house is dry) – This is incorrect because "сухость" is a noun, not an adjective.
• Correct: Дом сухой (The house is dry). Explanation: Use "сухой" as the adjective form. For nominal use, ensure proper case agreement, e.g., "Из-за сухости погоды" (Due to the dryness of the weather).
• Another common error is forgetting inflections: *Сухость в пустыне (without proper case) vs. Correct: Сухость в пустыне (nominative is fine here, but in other cases, adjust accordingly).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "сухость" often appears in discussions about the harsh continental climate, such as in Siberia or the steppes, where dryness contributes to extreme weather conditions. It can also metaphorically represent emotional restraint in Russian literature, as seen in works by authors like Chekhov, symbolizing the stoic nature of Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• влажность (humidity)
• жара (heat)
• засуха (drought)