Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'flex'

English Word: flex

Key Russian Translations:

• гнуть /ɡnutʲ/ - [Verb, Informal, Used for bending or flexing]
• флекс /flɛks/ - [Noun, Informal, Borrowed term, Used in contexts like exercise or materials]
• сгибать /sɡʲɪˈbatʲ/ - [Verb, Formal, Synonymous with bending actions]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language, especially in fitness, engineering, and casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and context for accurate use)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гнуть: /ɡnutʲ/

Note on гнуть: The stress is on the root syllable; be careful with the soft 'тʲ' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

флекс: /flɛks/

Note on флекс: This is a loanword from English, pronounced similarly; no major variations, but ensure the 'ф' is voiced as in "fun".

сгибать: /sɡʲɪˈbatʲ/

Note on сгибать: Stress on the second syllable; the 'гʲ' is palatalized, which might feel unfamiliar.

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Meanings and Usage:

1. To bend or contract (as in muscles or materials)

Translation(s) & Context:

• гнуть - Used in physical or metaphorical contexts, such as flexing muscles in exercise; informal and direct.
• сгибать - More formal equivalent, often in technical or descriptive writing.

Usage Examples:

• Он гнёт железный прут, показывая свою силу.

  He flexes the iron rod, showing his strength.

• В тренажерном зале я сгибаю руки, чтобы накачать мышцы.

  In the gym, I flex my arms to build muscles.

• Флекс материала позволяет ему выдерживать давление.

  The flex of the material allows it to withstand pressure.

• Она гнёт пальцы, имитируя упражнение.

  She flexes her fingers, imitating the exercise.

• Сгибая колени, он подготовился к прыжку.

  By flexing his knees, he prepared for the jump.

2. To show off or demonstrate flexibility (idiomatic, as in boasting)

Translation(s) & Context:

• флекс - Informal slang, often in social media or youth culture, derived from English.

Usage Examples:

• Он постоянно флексит своими новыми гаджетами в соцсетях.

  He always flexes his new gadgets on social media.

• В этой песне рэпер флексит своим богатством.

  In this song, the rapper flexes his wealth.

• Не нужно флексить перед друзьями; будь скромным.

  Don't flex in front of your friends; be humble.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For verbs like гнуть and сгибать, they follow standard Russian conjugation patterns. Гнуть is an imperfective verb, while сгибать is also imperfective but more commonly used in perfective contexts with prefixes.

Флекс, as a noun, is indeclinable and does not change forms in Russian, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • изгибать (to bend or curve; more precise in geometric contexts)
  • напрягать (to tense or flex muscles; implies effort)
• Antonyms:
  • разгибать (to straighten or unflex)

Related Phrases:

• Гнуть спину - To bend over (literally) or to submit (metaphorically); often used in work contexts.
• Флекс мускулатуры - Flexing muscles; common in fitness routines.
• Сгибать под себя - To bend to one's will; implies control or manipulation.

Usage Notes:

The English word "flex" translates variably in Russian based on context: use гнуть or сгибать for physical actions, and флекс for modern slang. In formal writing, prefer сгибать for precision. Be mindful of aspect in verbs—гнуть is imperfective, focusing on ongoing action. For learners, note that флекс is a recent borrowing and may not be suitable in traditional or professional settings.

• Avoid overusing флекс in spoken Russian, as it can sound overly influenced by English.
• When choosing between translations, consider the audience: informal for peers, formal for strangers.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse гнуть by confusing it with сгибать; for example, saying "Я гну руку" instead of "Я сгибаю руку" in formal contexts, which is correct but less polished. Error: Using флекс as a verb (e.g., "Я флекс руку"), which is incorrect—correct form: "Я флексю руку" (informal slang). Explanation: Флекс is a noun; conjugate properly or use a verb alternative to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like гнуть спину metaphorically refer to hard work or subservience, often tied to historical contexts of labor in Russia. Флекс, as a modern term, reflects global influences like Western fitness culture, highlighting Russia's integration of international trends in youth language.

Related Concepts:

• растяжка (stretching)
• напряжение (tension)
• изгиб (bend or curve)