Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fetid'

English Word: fetid

Key Russian Translations:

• зловонный [zlɐˈvon.nɨj] - [Formal, often used in literary or scientific contexts]
• гнилой [ˈɡnʲi.ləj] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday speech]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in descriptive texts, literature, and discussions about smells, but not as common as basic adjectives.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; involves understanding adjectives and their inflections, which may vary slightly between translations.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

зловонный: [zlɐˈvon.nɨj]

Note on зловонный: The stress falls on the second syllable ("von"), and the "зл" sound is a voiced alveolar fricative, which can be tricky for beginners. Pronounce it with a clear emphasis to convey the negative connotation.

гнилой: [ˈɡnʲi.ləj]

Note on гнилой: The initial "г" is a voiced velar fricative, and the "й" at the end is a palatal approximant; it's softer in informal speech and less stressed in rapid conversation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Describing something with a strong, unpleasant, and often decaying odor.

Translation(s) & Context:

• зловонный - Used in formal, literary, or medical contexts to describe foul smells, such as in environmental reports or descriptions of decay.
• гнилой - Applied in informal, everyday situations, like talking about spoiled food or stagnant water.

Usage Examples:

• В комнате распространился зловонный запах от забытой еды в холодильнике.

  In the room, a fetid smell spread from the forgotten food in the refrigerator.

• Гнилой воздух в подвале заставил нас быстро уйти.

  The fetid air in the basement made us leave quickly.

• Зловонный туман над болотом пугал путников в старых русских сказках.

  The fetid fog over the swamp frightened travelers in old Russian folktales.

• Эта гнилая рыба в магазине имела такой гнилой аромат, что никто не захотел её купить.

  This fetid fish in the store had such a rotten smell that no one wanted to buy it.

• Зловонный выхлоп от старого автомобиля загрязнял улицу.

  The fetid exhaust from the old car was polluting the street.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "зловонный" and "гнилой" are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard adjectival declension patterns. "Зловонный" is a hard-stem adjective, while "гнилой" follows a similar pattern but may vary slightly in informal use.

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular inflections but must agree with the noun in gender, number, and case. For example, in a sentence like "fetid water," it becomes "зловонная вода" (feminine noun).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вонючий (more vulgar, emphasizing a strong stench)
  • мерзкий (implies disgust, often with a broader negative connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • свежий (fresh, opposite in the context of smells)
  • приятный (pleasant, for odors)

Related Phrases:

• зловонный воздух - A fetid atmosphere; used to describe polluted or stale air in environmental contexts.
• гнилой запах - Fetid odor; common in everyday descriptions of decay, like spoiled food.
• зловонные испарения - Fetid vapors; often in scientific or literary settings to evoke a sense of danger.

Usage Notes:

"Fetid" corresponds most closely to "зловонный" in formal English-Russian translations, especially in written or academic contexts, while "гнилой" is better for informal, conversational use. Be mindful of the context: "зловонный" carries a more intense, almost poetic negativity, whereas "гнилой" is straightforward and physical. In Russian, these adjectives must agree grammatically with the noun they describe, which can be a common point of confusion for English speakers used to invariant adjectives. Choose based on register—opt for "зловонный" in professional writing and "гнилой" in casual dialogue.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "зловонный" in informal settings where "гнилой" is more appropriate, e.g., saying "зловонный хлеб" instead of "гнилой хлеб" for spoiled bread. Correct: "гнилой хлеб" is better for everyday talk, as "зловонный" sounds overly formal and may confuse listeners.

• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "зловонный вода" (incorrect) instead of "зловонная вода" for feminine nouns. Explanation: Russian adjectives change endings based on the noun's gender; always check the noun's form first.

• Error: Confusing with similar words like "вонючий," which is more vulgar and can offend in polite company. Correct: Use "зловонный" for neutral descriptions to avoid unintended rudeness.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "зловонный" often appear in literature and folklore to symbolize decay or moral corruption, as seen in works by authors like Gogol or Tolstoy. This reflects a broader Slavic tradition where foul smells are metaphorically linked to impurity or the supernatural, helping English speakers appreciate the emotional depth in Russian texts.

Related Concepts:

• запах (smell)
• гниение (decay)
• вонь (stench)