Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'elephantine'

English Word: elephantine

Key Russian Translations:

• Слоновый [slɐˈnovɨj] - [Formal, Literary; used to describe something resembling an elephant in size or bulk]

Frequency: Low (This word and its Russian equivalents are rarely used in everyday conversation; more common in literary or descriptive texts.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B2; Requires familiarity with Russian adjectives and their inflections, as well as contextual usage in formal writing.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Слоновый: [slɐˈnovɨj]

Note on Слоновый: The stress falls on the second syllable ('no'). Be cautious with the soft sign (ы), which can be tricky for English speakers as it produces a distinct back vowel sound. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Resembling an elephant in size, bulk, or gait; often used metaphorically to describe something large, heavy, or cumbersome.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Слоновый - Typically used in formal, literary, or descriptive contexts to emphasize physical largeness or awkwardness, such as in descriptions of movement or objects.

Usage Examples:

• Его слоновый шаг эхом разносился по коридору, заставляя всех оглядываться.

  His elephantine step echoed through the hallway, making everyone turn around. (This example shows the word in a metaphorical context describing heavy, deliberate movement.)

• Старая мебель в доме была слоновой, но она придавала интерьеру уникальный шарм.

  The old furniture in the house was elephantine, but it gave the interior a unique charm. (Here, it describes bulky objects in a positive, descriptive sense.)

• В повести описывается слоновый силуэт героя, подчеркивая его внушительную фигуру.

  In the novel, the hero's elephantine silhouette is described, emphasizing his imposing figure. (This illustrates literary usage, common in Russian literature.)

• Дети смеялись над слоновым танцем клоуна на цирковом представлении.

  The children laughed at the clown's elephantine dance at the circus performance. (Demonstrates playful or humorous application in everyday scenarios.)

• Её слоновый голос заполнил комнату, перекрывая все другие звуки.

  Her elephantine voice filled the room, drowning out all other sounds. (An extended metaphor for something overwhelmingly loud or resonant.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Слоновый" is an adjective in Russian, which means it follows the standard adjectival inflection patterns. Russian adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify. This word does not have irregular forms but changes based on grammatical rules.

Note: These forms are regular for hard-stem adjectives in Russian. If used with a noun, always ensure agreement.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Огромный (ogromnyy; vast or enormous, with a broader application), Массивный (massivnyy; bulky or substantial, often in physical contexts), Громоздкий (gromozdkij; cumbersome or unwieldy, emphasizing awkwardness).
• Antonyms: Маленький (malen'kiy; small), Легкий (legkiy; light or nimble, contrasting with heaviness).

Related Phrases:

• Слоновый шаг - Refers to a heavy, plodding walk, often used metaphorically for someone moving slowly and deliberately.
• Слоновый хобот - Literally "elephantine trunk," used in contexts describing something long and flexible, like in animal descriptions or idioms.
• Слоновый силуэт - Describes a large, shadowy outline, common in literary or artistic discussions.

Usage Notes:

"Elephantine" corresponds most closely to "слоновый" in Russian, but it's not a direct one-to-one match due to cultural and linguistic nuances. Use "слоновый" in formal or literary settings where a precise, descriptive tone is needed, such as in writing or academic discussions. Be mindful of gender, number, and case agreements, as Russian adjectives must align with their nouns. If the context is more everyday, consider synonyms like "огромный" for simplicity. Avoid overusing this word in casual speech, as it may sound archaic or pretentious.

Common Errors:

• Error: Forgetting to inflect "слоновый" correctly, e.g., using "слоновый" with a feminine noun without changing it to "слоновая." Correct: Instead of saying "слоновый машина" (wrong), say "слоновая машина" for "elephantine machine."

  Explanation: Russian requires adjective-noun agreement; this mistake often stems from English's lack of inflection.

• Error: Mispronouncing the word as [slɐˈnovyj] without the proper stress, leading to confusion with similar words. Correct: Emphasize the second syllable and use the correct vowel sounds.

  Explanation: English speakers might apply English phonetics, but Russian stress patterns are crucial for clarity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "слоновый" often evoke imagery from folklore or literature, such as in fables where elephants symbolize strength and wisdom (e.g., in stories influenced by Asian traditions). This can add a layer of poetic depth, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy, where animalistic descriptions highlight human traits.

Related Concepts:

• Слон (slon; elephant)
• Огромность (ogromnost'; enormity)
• Громоздкость (gromozdkost'; clumsiness)