Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dusty'

English Word: dusty

Key Russian Translations:

• пыльный [ˈpɨlʲnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective, Used in descriptive contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language, especially in descriptions of environments or objects, but not as frequent as basic adjectives like "big" or "small").

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary level; straightforward adjective with regular declension, suitable for beginners learning Russian adjectives).

Pronunciation (Russian):

пыльный: [ˈpɨlʲnɨj] (The stress is on the first syllable; the 'ы' sound is a central vowel, which may be challenging for English speakers.)

Note on пыльный: Pay attention to the soft 'л' sound, which is palatalized. In fast speech, it might blend with surrounding sounds.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Covered with dust (Literal description of something that has accumulated dust).

Translation(s) & Context:

• пыльный - Used in formal or everyday contexts to describe objects, rooms, or surfaces that are dirty due to dust, e.g., in cleaning or environmental discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В комнате было пыльно, и мебель покрылась слоем пыли.

  In the room, it was dusty, and the furniture was covered with a layer of dust.

• После ремонта улица стала пыльной от строительной пыли.

  After the renovation, the street became dusty from construction dust.

• Пыльный воздух в пустыне затрудняет дыхание.

  The dusty air in the desert makes breathing difficult.

• Её старая книга была пыльной и пожелтевшей от времени.

  Her old book was dusty and yellowed with age.

Meaning 2: Old, unused, or outdated (Figurative sense, implying neglect or antiquity).

Translation(s) & Context:

• пыльный - Often used metaphorically in informal contexts to describe something forgotten or archaic, such as ideas or traditions.

Usage Examples:

• Его идеи кажутся пыльными в современном мире технологий.

  His ideas seem dusty in the modern world of technology.

• Пыльный музей хранит артефакты из древней истории.

  The dusty museum holds artifacts from ancient history.

• В подвале лежат пыльные коробки с забытыми воспоминаниями.

  In the basement, there are dusty boxes with forgotten memories.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Пыльный" is a standard Russian adjective of the first declension group, which means it changes based on gender, number, and case. It follows regular adjective patterns, with no irregularities. Below is a table outlining its basic inflections:

Note: This adjective does not change in comparative or superlative forms unless modified (e.g., пыльнее for comparative).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • запыленный (zapylyennyj) - Similar, but often implies more recent dust accumulation.
  • грязный (gryaznyj) - Means dirty in a broader sense, not specifically dust-related.
• Antonyms:
  • чистый (chistyj) - Clean, opposite in the context of dust or dirt.
  • свежий (svежij) - Fresh, implying newness and lack of dust in figurative uses.

Related Phrases:

• пыльный путь (pyl'nyj put') - Dusty road; A common phrase referring to a rural or unpaved path, often with connotations of adventure or hardship.
• пыльный архив (pyl'nyj arkhiv) - Dusty archive; Used for old records or libraries, implying historical value but neglect.
• собрать пыль (sobrat' pyl') - To gather dust; Figuratively means something is unused or forgotten.

Usage Notes:

"Пыльный" directly corresponds to the English "dusty" in most literal contexts, but in Russian, it's important to consider gender and case agreements. For example, use the feminine form "пыльная" with feminine nouns. In figurative uses, it can imply neglect, similar to English, but avoid overusing it in formal writing where more precise terms might be preferred. When choosing between translations, "пыльный" is the most straightforward for "dusty," while "запыленный" might be better for something that has just become dusty.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "пыльный" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я видел пыльный дом" when referring to a feminine noun like "улица" (street), incorrectly using the masculine form.

  Correct: Я видел пыльную улицу. (I saw the dusty street.)

  Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify. English speakers often forget this, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing "пыльный" with "грязный," using it to mean any kind of dirt, not just dust.

  Correct: For general dirt, use "грязный"; for dust specifically, stick with "пыльный."

  Explanation: This can make the description less accurate, as "грязный" implies broader filth.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "пыльный" often evoke images of rural life or historical settings, as seen in literature by authors like Chekhov. It can symbolize the passage of time or neglect in a way that resonates with themes of nostalgia or the vast Russian landscape, where dust from steppes and roads is a common element.

Related Concepts:

• прах (prah) - Dust (in a more poetic or ashes-related sense).
• пыль (pyl') - Dust (the noun form).
• загрязнение (zagryaznenie) - Pollution (broader environmental concept).