Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'frowzy'

English Word: frowzy

Key Russian Translations:

• неопрятный [nʲɪɐˈpratnɨj] - [Adjective, Formal, Used to describe untidiness in appearance or condition]
• неряшливый [nʲɪrʲaʃˈlʲivɨj] - [Adjective, Informal, Used in casual contexts for slovenly behavior]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation, appearing more in literary or descriptive contexts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian adjectives and their inflections, though the concept is straightforward for learners at this level.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неопрятный: [nʲɪɐˈpratnɨj]

неряшливый: [nʲɪrʲaʃˈlʲivɨj]

Note on неопрятный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("prat"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft 'н' sound; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Untidy or shabby in appearance (Primary meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неопрятный - Used in formal descriptions of a person's or place's unkempt state, such as in literature or professional settings.
• неряшливый - Applied in informal, everyday contexts to criticize someone's careless habits.

Usage Examples:

• Его комната была неопрятной после долгого дня работы.

  His room was frowzy after a long day of work.

• Она выглядела неряшливой, не расчесав волосы перед встречей.

  She looked frowzy, not having combed her hair before the meeting.

• В старом доме всё было неопрятным и покрытым пылью.

  In the old house, everything was frowzy and covered in dust.

• Мальчик был неряшливым, оставляя вещи разбросанными по всей квартире.

  The boy was frowzy, leaving things scattered all over the apartment.

• Неопрятный вид улицы отпугивал туристов от этого района.

  The frowzy appearance of the street deterred tourists from the area.

Slovenly or neglected in behavior (Secondary, less common meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неопрятный - In contexts involving personal hygiene or habitual neglect, often in written or formal critiques.

Usage Examples:

• Её неопрятный стиль жизни вызывал беспокойство у друзей.

  Her frowzy lifestyle was a concern for her friends.

• Неопрятный подход к работе привёл к ошибкам в проекте.

  The frowzy approach to work led to mistakes in the project.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "неопрятный" and "неряшливый" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for most cases, but they can be irregular in certain forms. Below is a table for "неопрятный" as an example; "неряшливый" follows similar rules.

Note: "неряшливый" inflects similarly. These adjectives do not have irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward once the basic adjective paradigm is learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • грязный (more literal, emphasizing dirtiness)
  • запущенный (implies neglect over time, often for places)
• Antonyms:
  • опрятный (neat and tidy)
  • ухоженный (well-maintained)

Related Phrases:

• неопрятный вид - A frowzy appearance; used to describe someone looking unkempt in social situations.
• неряшливый стиль - Frowzy style; refers to a careless or sloppy fashion sense.
• быть неопрятным - To be frowzy; a phrase for habitual untidiness in daily life.

Usage Notes:

• "Frowzy" corresponds most closely to "неопрятный" in formal contexts, but "неряшливый" is better for informal or critical descriptions. Always consider the gender and case of the noun it modifies in Russian sentences.
• In Russian, these adjectives can carry a judgmental tone, so use them cautiously in polite conversation. For example, avoid "неряшливый" in professional settings where "неопрятный" might be more neutral.
• When choosing between translations, opt for "неопрятный" if describing physical appearance and "неряшливый" for behavioral traits.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "неопрятный" with "грязный" (dirty), leading to overuse of "грязный" for general untidiness. Correct usage: Use "неопрятный" for shabby but not necessarily dirty states, e.g., Incorrect: "грязный комната" (wrong word choice); Correct: "неопрятная комната".
• Another error is forgetting inflections; for instance, saying "неопрятный дом" in all cases, but it should change to "неопрятного дома" in genitive. This can make sentences grammatically incorrect.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, maintaining a neat appearance is highly valued, especially in urban and professional environments. Words like "неопрятный" can evoke disapproval related to Soviet-era emphasis on collective tidiness, where personal neglect was seen as a social flaw. This adds a layer of cultural judgment not always present in English usage of "frowzy".

Related Concepts:

• мрачный (gloomy or dismal)
• запущенный (neglected or rundown)
• неряшливость (slovenliness as a noun)