Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'glabrous'

English Word: glabrous

Key Russian Translations:

• гладкий [ˈɡladkʲɪj] - [Adjective, Formal, Used in descriptive contexts like biology or everyday descriptions]
• безволосый [bʲɪzˈvo.lə.sɨj] - [Adjective, Technical, Informal, Often used in medical or scientific settings]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday conversation but appear in specialized fields like biology or dermatology.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2, as it involves understanding adjective forms and contextual usage; 'гладкий' is straightforward, while 'безволосый' may require more vocabulary knowledge.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гладкий: [ˈɡladkʲɪj]

Note on гладкий: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'дк' combination can be tricky for beginners due to palatalization; it sounds softer in natural speech.

безволосый: [bʲɪzˈvo.lə.sɨj]

Note on безволосый: Pronounce the 'л' as a soft 'l' sound; this word has a compound structure that may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Smooth or hairless surface (Primary meaning as an adjective)

Translation(s) & Context:

• гладкий - Used to describe surfaces that are smooth and free of hair, such as skin or leaves in botanical contexts.
• безволосый - Applied in more specific scenarios, like medical descriptions of hairless areas on the body.

Usage Examples:

• Эта кожа гладкая и без морщин. (This skin is smooth and wrinkle-free.)

  English: This skin is smooth and wrinkle-free. (Context: Everyday description of appearance.)

• Лист растения был glabrous, то есть безволосый. (The plant's leaf was glabrous, meaning hairless.)

  English: The plant's leaf was glabrous, meaning hairless. (Context: Scientific or botanical discussion.)

• В биологии термин гладкий часто относится к поверхностям, таким как glabrous leaves. (In biology, the term гладкий often refers to surfaces like glabrous leaves.)

  English: In biology, the term гладкий often refers to surfaces like glabrous leaves. (Context: Academic or educational explanation.)

• Его руки были безволосыми, что делало их похожими на glabrous skin. (His hands were hairless, making them resemble glabrous skin.)

  English: His hands were hairless, making them resemble glabrous skin. (Context: Descriptive narrative in literature.)

• Гладкий камень контрастировал с шероховатыми поверхностями вокруг. (The smooth stone contrasted with the rough surfaces around it.)

  English: The smooth stone contrasted with the rough surfaces around it. (Context: Comparative description in nature.)

Secondary meaning: In a metaphorical sense (e.g., smooth texture in non-literal contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• гладкий - Used metaphorically for non-physical smoothness, such as in textures or abstract qualities.

Usage Examples:

• Гладкий стиль письма делает текст легче для чтения. (The smooth writing style makes the text easier to read.)

  English: The smooth writing style makes the text easier to read. (Context: Literary or artistic discussion.)

• Безволосый дизайн продукта подразумевает минимализм. (The hairless design of the product implies minimalism.)

  English: The hairless design of the product implies minimalism. (Context: Modern design or technology.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'гладкий' and 'безволосый' are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern of agreement with nouns. 'Гладкий' is a regular adjective, while 'безволосый' follows similar rules but may vary in compound forms.

Note: These adjectives do not change in short form but must agree with the noun they modify. If the adjective is used predicatively, it may remain in its base form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ровный (even, smooth) - Often used for surfaces that are flat and uniform.
  • шелковистый (silky) - Implies a soft, smooth texture, with a subtle difference in connotation toward luxury.
• Antonyms:
  • шероховатый (rough) - Describes uneven or textured surfaces.
  • волосатый (hairy) - Directly opposite for contexts involving hair or fuzz.

Related Phrases:

• гладкая кожа - (Smooth skin; Common in beauty and health contexts, referring to a desirable texture.)
• безволосый участок - (Hairless area; Used in medical or anatomical descriptions, such as in dermatology.)
• гладкий переход - (Smooth transition; Metaphorical phrase for seamless changes in processes or designs.)

Usage Notes:

When translating 'glabrous' to Russian, 'гладкий' is the most versatile choice for general contexts, while 'безволосый' is better for precise, technical scenarios like biology. Be mindful of the adjective's agreement with nouns in gender, number, and case. In formal writing, prefer 'гладкий' to maintain a neutral tone, but in informal speech, it can be used interchangeably. English learners should note that Russian adjectives often imply more sensory details than their English counterparts.

• Avoid direct word-for-word translation; context dictates the best fit.
• In plural forms, ensure agreement to prevent grammatical errors.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse gender agreement, e.g., saying "гладкий женщина" instead of "гладкая женщина" (smooth woman). Correct usage: Always match the adjective to the noun's gender. Another error is confusing 'гладкий' with 'ровный'; for instance, using 'гладкий' for a flat road when 'ровный' is more appropriate. Example of error: "Я имею гладкий волосы" (incorrect, as it should be "гладкие волосы" for plural agreement). Correct: "У меня гладкие волосы" (I have smooth hair).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'гладкий' can carry aesthetic connotations, especially in literature or poetry, where smooth surfaces symbolize purity or simplicity. For instance, in Russian folklore, smooth skin might represent youth or beauty, contrasting with rugged features that denote hardship or age. This reflects broader Slavic cultural emphasis on natural harmony and appearance.

Related Concepts:

• волосы (hair)
• кожа (skin)
• поверхность (surface)