Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fleshy'

English Word: fleshy

Key Russian Translations:

• мясистый /mʲɪˈasʲɪstɨj/ - [Adjective, used for describing something with a lot of flesh or thickness, such as in botany or anatomy; Formal]
• пухлый /ˈpuhlɨj/ - [Adjective, more common for human or animal bodies to indicate plumpness; Informal, Plural forms vary]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not frequently used in everyday Russian conversation; more common in specialized contexts like biology or descriptions of food.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires basic understanding of Russian adjectives and inflections. For 'мясистый', it's B1; for 'пухлый', it's A2 due to its simpler usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мясистый: /mʲɪˈasʲɪstɨj/ (Note the palatalized 's' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers; emphasize the stress on the third syllable.)

пухлый: /ˈpuhlɨj/ (A softer 'l' sound; this is relatively straightforward but watch for the unstressed vowels.)

Note on мясистый: Be careful with the soft sign (ь) which affects pronunciation; it softens the preceding consonant.

Note on пухлый: In casual speech, the final 'y' sound may reduce in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Having a lot of flesh or being plump (e.g., in reference to body parts or fruits)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пухлый - Used in informal contexts for describing human features, such as cheeks, in everyday or literary descriptions.
• мясистый - Applied in formal or scientific contexts, like botany for juicy fruits or anatomy for muscular tissue.

Usage Examples:

• Его пухлые щеки делали его похожим на херувима. (His fleshy cheeks made him look like a cherub.)

  English: His plump cheeks made him look like a cherub. (This example shows 'пухлый' in a descriptive, informal context.)

• Это яблоко мясистое и сочное, идеально для сока. (This apple is fleshy and juicy, perfect for juice.)

  English: This apple is fleshy and juicy, perfect for juice. (Illustrates 'мясистое' in a botanical context with an adjective agreement.)

• После тренировки его руки стали более мясистыми. (After the workout, his arms became more fleshy.)

  English: After the workout, his arms became more fleshy. (Demonstrates 'мясистыми' in a plural, masculine form for body description.)

• Дети часто имеют пухлые ручки, что выглядит мило. (Children often have fleshy little hands, which look cute.)

  English: Children often have plump little hands, which look cute. (Shows 'пухлые' in a diminutive, affectionate context.)

• Мясистые листья этого растения помогают ему сохранять влагу. (The fleshy leaves of this plant help it retain moisture.)

  English: The fleshy leaves of this plant help it retain moisture. (Highlights 'мясистые' in a scientific or environmental context.)

Meaning 2: Juicy or thick in texture (e.g., in food or materials)

Translation(s) & Context:

• мясистый - Common in culinary or descriptive contexts for foods like meats or fruits; Formal.
• пухлый - Less common here, but can imply a soft, bloated texture in informal speech.

Usage Examples:

• Это мясо мясистое, но не слишком жирное. (This meat is fleshy but not too fatty.)

  English: This meat is fleshy but not too fatty. (Example of 'мясистое' in a food-related context with contrast.)

• Пухлый хлеб всегда вкуснее, когда он свежий. (Fleshy bread is always tastier when it's fresh.)

  English: Plump bread is always tastier when it's fresh. (Uses 'пухлый' metaphorically for texture in everyday language.)

• Мясистые помидоры лучше подходят для салата. (Fleshy tomatoes are better for salad.)

  English: Fleshy tomatoes are better for salad. (Shows 'мясистые' with plural nouns in a practical scenario.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'мясистый' and 'пухлый' are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow standard patterns for most cases, but they can be irregular in certain forms.

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular inflections but must agree with the noun they modify. If the adjective is used predicatively, it may not inflect as strictly.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Толстый (thick or fat; more neutral, often for objects)
  • Сочный (juicy; specifically for foods like fruits)
• Antonyms:
  • Тощий (thin or skinny; opposite for bodies)
  • Сухой (dry; opposite for textures like fruits)

Related Phrases:

• Мясистый кусок мяса - A thick piece of meat (Refers to a substantial, juicy cut in culinary contexts.)
• Пухлые губы - Plump lips (Common in beauty or descriptive language, often with positive connotations.)
• Мясистые листья суккулента - Fleshy leaves of a succulent (Used in botanical discussions.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'мясистый' is a more precise translation for 'fleshy' in scientific or formal contexts, while 'пухлый' is better for informal, everyday descriptions of plumpness. Always ensure adjective agreement with the noun's gender, number, and case. For English learners, note that Russian adjectives don't have comparative forms like English; use adverbs like 'более' (more) instead, e.g., 'более мясистый'. Choose 'пухлый' for human descriptions to avoid sounding overly clinical.

• Context tip: In polite conversation, 'пухлый' might be preferred for people to sound affectionate, whereas 'мясистый' is neutral for objects.
• Grammar note: These adjectives can be used in both attributive (before the noun) and predicative (after the verb) positions.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse gender agreement, e.g., saying 'мясистый яблоко' instead of 'мясистое яблоко' (for neuter nouns). Correct: Use 'мясистое' for neuter. Another error is confusing with 'мясной' (meaty), which implies a meat-like flavor—example of error: 'Это мясной фрукт' (wrong for 'fleshy fruit'); correct: 'Это мясистый фрукт'. Explanation: 'Мясной' relates to meat, not texture, so it changes the meaning entirely.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'пухлый' can carry positive connotations in literature or folk tales, often describing cherubic or healthy features in children, reflecting ideals of abundance and vitality. However, in modern contexts, they might be used carefully to avoid body-shaming implications, similar to English sensitivities around weight descriptions.

Related Concepts:

• Сочный (juicy)
• Толстый (thick)
• Мускулистый (muscular)