Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fulsome'

English Word: fulsome

Key Russian Translations:

• чрезмерный [t͡ɕrɪˈzmʲɛrnɨj] - [Formal, used for excessive or abundant qualities]
• льстивый [lʲstʲɪˈvɨj] - [Informal, often in contexts of insincere flattery or praise]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literary or formal discussions, but not everyday speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of nuances in praise and excess, as per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

чрезмерный: [t͡ɕrɪˈzmʲɛrnɨj]

льстивый: [lʲstʲɪˈvɨj]

Note on чрезмерный: The stress falls on the second syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'р' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

Note on льстивый: Pronounce the 'л' softly; this word has a subtle hiss in the 'с' that varies by regional dialect.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Excessive or insincere praise

Translation(s) & Context:

• льстивый - Used in informal contexts where praise is overly effusive and potentially insincere, such as in social interactions or media.
• чрезмерный - Applied in formal settings to describe something abundant to the point of excess, like praise or compliments.

Usage Examples:

• Его речь была чрезмерно хвалебной, что вызвало подозрения в искренности.

  His speech was fulsome, raising suspicions about its sincerity.

• Она получила льстивые отзывы от коллег, но понимала, что они неискренни.

  She received fulsome reviews from colleagues but knew they were insincere.

• В этой книге автор использует чрезмерный стиль, чтобы подчеркнуть энтузиазм.

  In this book, the author employs a fulsome style to emphasize enthusiasm.

• Льстивые комплименты от незнакомца всегда настораживают.

  Fulsome compliments from a stranger are always alarming.

• Чрезмерная похвала в его письме сделала текст менее убедительным.

  The fulsome praise in his letter made the text less convincing.

Abundant or plentiful (less common modern usage)

Translation(s) & Context:

• чрезмерный - In contexts where 'fulsome' means richly abundant, such as in descriptions of food or events.

Usage Examples:

• Ужин был чрезмерно обильным, с множеством блюд.

  The dinner was fulsome, with an abundance of dishes.

• Его описание природы было чрезмерно детализированным.

  His description of nature was fulsome and highly detailed.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'чрезмерный' and 'льстивый' are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern of agreement with nouns and can have irregular forms in certain cases.

Note: These are regular adjective inflections. If the adjective is used with feminine or neuter nouns, forms adjust accordingly (e.g., чрезмерная for feminine singular).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: избыточный (excessive, but more neutral), преувеличенный (exaggerated; often used for overstatement in praise)
• Antonyms: умеренный (moderate; implies restraint), сдержанный (restrained; highlights lack of excess)

Related Phrases:

• чрезмерная похвала - Excessive praise; A common phrase used to describe overly complimentary language in formal or literary contexts.
• льстивые слова - Insincere words; Often appears in interpersonal communication to warn against flattery.
• чрезмерный энтузиазм - Fulsome enthusiasm; Refers to exaggerated excitement that might seem insincere.

Usage Notes:

'Fulsome' in English often carries a negative connotation of excess or insincerity, which aligns closely with 'чрезмерный' in Russian formal contexts. However, 'льстивый' is better for situations involving flattery, as it emphasizes deceit. Choose 'чрезмерный' for broader abundance and 'льстивый' for praise-related scenarios. Be mindful of grammatical agreement: always inflect the adjective to match the noun's gender, number, and case. In everyday Russian, these words are more common in written or professional settings rather than casual speech.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'fulsome' with 'full' and mistakenly use 'полный' (full) instead of 'чрезмерный'. Error: "Он дал полный отзыв" (incorrect for excessive praise). Correct: "Он дал чрезмерный отзыв". Explanation: 'Полный' means complete or filled, not excessive, which changes the meaning entirely.

• Another error is overusing 'льстивый' in formal contexts where 'чрезмерный' is more appropriate, leading to: "Это льстивое событие" (awkward). Correct: "Это чрезмерное событие". Explanation: 'Льстивый' implies insincerity, so reserve it for interpersonal flattery.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, excessive praise like that implied by 'fulsome' translations (e.g., 'льстивый') is often viewed with skepticism, as it may be seen as manipulative or insincere, especially in professional or social settings. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on modesty and directness in communication, rooted in historical literary traditions like those in Dostoevsky's works.

Related Concepts:

• похвала (praise)
• критика (criticism)
• энтузиазм (enthusiasm)