Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'flaccid'

English Word: flaccid

Key Russian Translations:

• вялый [ˈvʲælɨj] - [Adjective, Informal/Formal, used in general, medical, or descriptive contexts]
• обвисший [ɐbˈvʲiʂːɨj] - [Adjective, Informal, often used for physical objects like skin or fabric]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in medical, biological, or everyday descriptive language, but not as frequent as basic adjectives).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate for adjectives; learners should understand basic declensions and contexts, though irregular forms may increase difficulty for some translations).

Pronunciation (Russian):

вялый: [ˈvʲælɨj]

обвисший: [ɐbˈvʲiʂːɨj]

Note on вялый: The initial 'в' is pronounced with a soft 'v' sound, and the stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'л' which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may soften the vowels.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Lacking firmness or tension, often in a physical or medical sense (e.g., muscles or tissues).

Translation(s) & Context:

• вялый - Used in contexts describing weakness or lack of vitality, such as in health or biology; common in formal writing or conversations.
• обвисший - Applied to visible physical sagging, like in descriptions of aging or objects; more informal and visual.

Usage Examples:

• После тренировки мышцы могут стать вялыми, если не дать им время на восстановление.

  After the workout, the muscles may become flaccid if they aren't given time to recover.

• Врачи диагностировали вялый паралич у пациента после травмы.

  Doctors diagnosed flaccid paralysis in the patient after the injury.

• Обвисшая кожа на лице часто является признаком старения.

  Flaccid skin on the face is often a sign of aging.

• Вялые листья растения указывают на недостаток воды.

  The flaccid leaves of the plant indicate a lack of water.

Meaning 2: Figuratively weak or ineffective (e.g., in arguments or efforts, though less common).

Translation(s) & Context:

• вялый - In metaphorical contexts, such as describing a weak response or effort; suitable for informal discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Его вялый аргумент не убедил аудиторию.

  His flaccid argument didn't convince the audience.

• Вялые попытки реформ привели к разочарованию.

  The flaccid attempts at reform led to disappointment.

• В бизнесе вялый рынок означает снижение продаж.

  In business, a flaccid market means declining sales.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives like "вялый" follow standard first-declension patterns, while "обвисший" is similar but may vary slightly due to its root.

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular inflections but must agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • слабый (slabyj) - Weaker, more general; used for overall lack of strength.
  • мягкий (myagkij) - Soft, but implies flexibility rather than flaccidity.
• Antonyms:
  • твердый (tverdij) - Hard or firm, directly opposite in physical contexts.
  • сильный (sil'nyj) - Strong, used metaphorically for effectiveness.

Related Phrases:

• вялые мышцы - Flaccid muscles; refers to lack of tone in physical fitness or medical contexts.
• обвисшая ткань - Sagging fabric; commonly used in descriptions of clothing or materials.
• вялый рынок - Flaccid market; a metaphorical phrase for an inactive economy in business discussions.

Usage Notes:

"Вялый" is the most direct translation for "flaccid" in medical or biological contexts, aligning closely with English usage for things like muscles or paralysis. Use it in formal settings like reports or conversations, but opt for "обвисший" when describing visual sagging. Be mindful of adjective agreement in Russian sentences—always match gender, number, and case with the noun. For English learners, choose "вялый" for abstract weakness and "обвисший" for literal descriptions to avoid overgeneralization.

• In formal writing, pair with nouns like "мышцы" (muscles) for precision.
• Avoid using in highly poetic or literary contexts where more nuanced words might be preferred.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse "вялый" by treating it as an invariant word, forgetting to decline it. For example, incorrect: "Я имею вялый мышца" (wrong declension); Correct: "Я имею вялую мышцу" (feminine singular accusative). Another error is confusing it with "слабый," leading to imprecise meanings—e.g., saying "слабый" for physical flaccidity when "вялый" is more accurate. Always check noun agreement to prevent these mistakes.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "вялый" are frequently used in medical and fitness discussions, reflecting a societal emphasis on physical health and endurance. Historically, in literature such as Tolstoy's works, similar terms appear to describe emotional or moral weakness, adding a layer of depth beyond the literal meaning.

Related Concepts:

• сильный
• усталый
• рыхлый