Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fluffy'

English Word: fluffy

Key Russian Translations:

• пушистый /puˈʂɨstɨj/ - [Adjective, General use; describes something soft and covered with fur or fibers]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday descriptions of textures, but not as frequent as basic adjectives like "big" or "small")

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions, but the word itself is straightforward for learners with basic vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пушистый: /puˈʂɨstɨj/

Note on пушистый: The 'ш' sound (as in /ʂ/) is similar to the 'sh' in English "she", but with a more retroflex quality. Stress falls on the second syllable, which is common in Russian adjectives.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Having a soft, light, and often furry or fibrous texture (e.g., describing animals, fabrics, or clouds).

Translation(s) & Context:

• пушистый - Used in general contexts for everyday objects or animals; informal to formal, depending on the setting (e.g., in casual conversation or descriptive writing).

Usage Examples:

• Эта кошка пушистая и очень милая. (Eta koshka pushistaya i ochen' milaya.)

  This cat is fluffy and very cute. (Shows adjective use with animals in a simple sentence.)

• У меня новый пушистый свитер из шерсти. (U menya novyy pushistyy sviter iz shersti.)

  I have a new fluffy sweater made of wool. (Illustrates use with clothing in a possessive context.)

• Пушистые облака плывут по небу в летний день. (Pushistyye oblaka plyvut po nebu v letniy den'.)

  Fluffy clouds are drifting across the sky on a summer day. (Demonstrates plural form in a poetic or descriptive context.)

• Дети любят играть с пушистыми игрушками. (Deti lyublyat igrat' s pushistymi igrushkami.)

  Children love playing with fluffy toys. (Shows use in a familial or playful setting.)

• Его борода стала пушистой после зимы. (Yego boroda stala pushistoy posle zimy.)

  His beard became fluffy after winter. (Highlights use with human features in a seasonal context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

пушистый is a standard Russian adjective, which means it inflects for gender, number, and case. It follows the regular pattern for first-declension adjectives in Russian. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively easy to learn compared to verbs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мягкий (myagkiy) - Softer focus, more general for texture; often used interchangeably but implies less "furriness".
  • пышный (pyshnyy) - Emphasizes volume or fluffiness in a more poetic sense, e.g., for hair or pastries.
• Antonyms:
  • гладкий (gladkiy) - Smooth, lacking texture.
  • жесткий (zhestkiy) - Rough or stiff, opposite in feel.

Related Phrases:

• пушистый ковёр (pushistyy kover) - Fluffy carpet; a common phrase for describing home decor.
• пушистая шуба (pushistaya shuba) - Fluffy fur coat; often used in winter clothing contexts.
• пушистые облака (pushistyye oblaka) - Fluffy clouds; a poetic expression in weather descriptions.

Usage Notes:

пушистый directly corresponds to "fluffy" in English but is best used for tangible, physical textures rather than abstract ones. It can be applied in both formal and informal settings, such as literature or casual talk, but avoid it in highly technical contexts where more precise terms might be needed. When choosing between translations, use пушистый for items with visible fur or fibers; for general softness, мягкий may be more appropriate. Remember that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, so always decline it correctly.

• In spoken Russian, пушистый is often used affectionately, e.g., with pets or children.
• Grammar tip: It can be intensified with adverbs like "очень" (very) for emphasis, e.g., "очень пушистый".

Common Errors:

English learners often forget to decline пушистый correctly, such as using the masculine form with a feminine noun. For example:

• Error: "Эта кошка пушистый" (incorrect, as it should agree with the feminine noun "кошка").
• Correct: "Эта кошка пушистая". Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender; here, feminine requires "-ая".
• Another common mistake is confusing it with synonyms, e.g., using "мягкий" when "пушистый" is needed for a furry texture. Always check the context for precision.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like пушистый often evoke warmth and comfort, especially in contexts involving nature or traditional clothing. For instance, it's commonly associated with winter imagery in Russian literature (e.g., in works by Pushkin), where fluffy snow or fur represents coziness amid harsh weather. This reflects Russia's cold climate and the cultural emphasis on enduring and appreciating seasonal beauty.

Related Concepts:

• мягкий (myagkiy) - Related to texture and softness.
• пуховый (puhovyy) - Specifically for downy or feather-like fluffiness.
• облако (oblako) - Often paired with пушистый in poetic descriptions.