Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'flimsy'

English Word: flimsy

Key Russian Translations:

• хрупкий [xruˈpkʲij] - [Informal; used for physical fragility, e.g., objects that break easily]
• слабый [ˈslabɨj] - [Formal; used for weakness in structure or arguments]
• непрочный [nʲɪˈprotɕnɨj] - [Neutral; emphasizes unreliability or lack of durability]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday contexts like descriptions of materials or arguments, but not as frequent as basic adjectives)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions and contextual nuances; for 'хрупкий', it's straightforward, but 'слабый' may vary by context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

хрупкий: [xruˈpkʲij]

Note on хрупкий: The initial 'х' is a voiceless velar fricative, pronounced like the 'ch' in Scottish "loch"; pay attention to the stressed syllable for natural flow.

слабый: [ˈslabɨj]

Note on слабый: The 'ы' sound is a central vowel, distinct from 'i'; common in Russian and can be tricky for English speakers.

непрочный: [nʲɪˈprotɕnɨj]

Note on непрочный: The 'ч' is a voiceless palatal fricative; ensure soft pronunciation for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Physically weak, fragile, or easily broken (e.g., referring to materials or structures)

Translation(s) & Context:

• хрупкий - Used in informal settings, such as describing everyday objects like paper or glass.
• непрочный - Applied in neutral or technical contexts, like construction or product reviews.

Usage Examples:

• Эта коробка сделана из хрупкого материала и может сломаться при падении.

  This box is made of flimsy material and might break if dropped.

• Ветер легко сдул непрочный навес.

  The wind easily blew away the flimsy awning.

• Хрупкая ваза стояла на краю стола, рискуя разбиться.

  The flimsy vase was perched on the edge of the table, at risk of shattering.

• Непрочные доски моста скрипели под ногами.

  The flimsy boards of the bridge creaked underfoot.

Meaning 2: Lacking substance, conviction, or reliability (e.g., arguments, excuses, or evidence)

Translation(s) & Context:

• слабый - Used in formal or argumentative contexts, such as debates or legal discussions.
• непрочный - In contexts emphasizing unreliability, like in storytelling or critiques.

Usage Examples:

• Его аргументы были слишком слабыми, чтобы убедить аудиторию.

  His arguments were too flimsy to convince the audience.

• Слабое оправдание не помогло ему избежать наказания.

  The flimsy excuse didn't help him avoid punishment.

• Непрочные доказательства в суде были быстро опровергнуты.

  The flimsy evidence in court was quickly disproven.

• Её история звучала как слабый предлог для опоздания.

  Her story sounded like a flimsy pretext for being late.

• Слабые обещания политиков редко исполняются.

  The flimsy promises of politicians are rarely fulfilled.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations ('хрупкий', 'слабый', 'непрочный') are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard first-declension patterns.

These adjectives are regular and follow standard patterns, with no irregularities. Always ensure agreement with the noun's gender, number, and case for grammatical accuracy.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • тонкий (thinner, more delicate; differs from 'хрупкий' by emphasizing slimness over fragility)
  • хилый (weak and underdeveloped; used in informal contexts for living things)
• Antonyms:
  • прочный (sturdy, durable)
  • крепкий (strong, robust)

Related Phrases:

• хрупкий материал - Fragile material; used in contexts like packaging or engineering.
• слабый аргумент - Flimsy argument; common in debates or persuasive writing.
• непрочный фундамент - Unreliable foundation; metaphorically for unstable ideas or structures.
• хрупкая конструкция - Delicate construction; refers to buildings or designs that lack strength.

Usage Notes:

'Flimsy' in English often conveys both physical and abstract weakness, and its Russian equivalents should be chosen based on context: use 'хрупкий' for tangible items, 'слабый' for abstract or intellectual matters, and 'непрочный' for reliability issues. Be mindful of formal vs. informal settings—'слабый' is more versatile in written Russian. Grammatically, always decline adjectives to match the noun. For learners, start with simple sentences to practice agreement.

• When translating, avoid direct word-for-word substitution; consider the nuance (e.g., 'flimsy evidence' is better as 'слабые доказательства' in legal contexts).
• In spoken Russian, these words can vary by region, but standard forms are widely understood.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'слабый' with 'хрупкий', using 'слабый' for physical objects when 'хрупкий' is more appropriate. For example:

• Error: Saying "Эта ваза слабая" (This vase is weak) instead of "Эта ваза хрупкая" (This vase is flimsy/fragile). Correct: Use 'хрупкая' for fragility to avoid implying general weakness.
• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "хрупкий дом" for a feminine noun like "дверь" (door), which should be "хрупкая дверь". Correct: Always check gender and case for proper inflection.
• Explanation: These errors stem from overgeneralizing English usage; practice with noun-adjective pairs to build accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'хрупкий' often appear in literature (e.g., in Tolstoy's works) to describe the fragility of human emotions or societal structures, reflecting a broader philosophical view on impermanence. This can add depth to translations in artistic contexts, emphasizing Russia's historical emphasis on resilience amid vulnerability.

Related Concepts:

• прочный
• крепкий
• тонкий