Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'grainy'

English Word: grainy

Key Russian Translations:

• зернистый /zʲɪrʲˈnʲistɨj/ - [Formal, used for describing textures or images]
• грубый /ˈɡrubɨj/ - [Informal, when emphasizing a rough or coarse quality, though less precise]

Frequency: Medium (Common in contexts like photography, food, and materials, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjectives and their inflections, as per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

зернистый: /zʲɪrʲˈnʲistɨj/

Note on зернистый: The stress is on the third syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'р' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in fast speech may soften the vowels.

грубый: /ˈɡrubɨj/

Note on грубый: Pronounced with a hard 'г' sound; this word is more versatile but may not always convey the granular aspect precisely.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Having a texture characterized by small grains or particles, often used for surfaces, images, or materials.

Translation(s) & Context:

• зернистый - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as describing photo quality or fabric texture.
• грубый - Applied in everyday informal settings, like food or skin texture, but implies more general roughness.

Usage Examples:

• Эта старая фотография выглядит зернистой из-за низкого разрешения.

  This old photo looks grainy due to low resolution.

• Кофе с зернистой текстурой придает напитку особый вкус.

  Coffee with a grainy texture gives the drink a unique flavor.

• В фильме многие сцены были намеренно сделаны зернистыми для создания атмосферы.

  In the film, many scenes were deliberately made grainy to create an atmosphere.

• Грубый песок на пляже ощущается зернистым под ногами.

  The rough sand on the beach feels grainy underfoot.

• Если видео слишком зернистое, попробуйте увеличить освещение.

  If the video is too grainy, try increasing the lighting.

Meaning 2: Referring to something with a coarse or uneven quality, often metaphorically in informal speech.

Translation(s) & Context:

• грубый - In metaphorical contexts, like describing voice or behavior, but not ideal for literal graininess.

Usage Examples:

• Его голос звучит зернисто, как будто он простужен.

  His voice sounds grainy, as if he's caught a cold.

• Грубый материал ткани делает одежду зернистой на ощупь.

  The rough fabric material makes the clothing feel grainy to the touch.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. "Зернистый" follows standard first-declension adjective patterns, while "грубый" is also a first-declension adjective with regular changes.

Note: These adjectives change endings in other cases (e.g., Genitive, Dative) per standard Russian rules. They are regular and do not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • зернистый (exact match)
  • крупнозернистый (coarser, more specific to larger grains)
• Antonyms:
  • гладкий (smooth, opposite texture)
  • ровный (even, without irregularities)

Related Phrases:

• Зернистая текстура - Grainy texture (Refers to a surface with visible grains, common in material descriptions)
• Зернистый эффект в фото - Grainy effect in photos (Used in photography to describe visual artifacts)
• Кофе с зернистой основой - Coffee with a grainy base (Indicates a textured or unrefined coffee grind)

Usage Notes:

"Зернистый" is the most direct translation for "grainy" in contexts involving visual or tactile textures, such as photography or fabrics, and is preferred in formal writing. In contrast, "грубый" is better for general roughness and should be used cautiously to avoid implying negativity. English speakers often mistake the intensity; in Russian, adjectives like these can vary by context, so always consider gender and case agreements. When choosing between translations, opt for "зернистый" for literal graininess and "грубый" for metaphorical uses.

• Grammar tip: Always inflect the adjective to match the noun it describes (e.g., зернистая фотография for a feminine noun).
• Context tip: In technical fields like film, "зернистый" is standard, but in casual talk, slang might replace it.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "зернистый" with "грубый," using "грубый" for visual graininess, which can imply rudeness or harshness instead. For example:

• Incorrect: "Фотография грубая." (This suggests the photo is rude or poorly made, not grainy.)
• Correct: "Фотография зернистая." (Properly conveys the grainy quality.)
• Explanation: The error stems from overlapping meanings in English; always check the context to select the precise word, and remember to inflect correctly to avoid grammatical mistakes.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "зернистый" are prevalent in discussions of Soviet-era photography, where grainy images from film cameras evoke nostalgia for historical events. This can add emotional or artistic depth in media, reflecting a cultural appreciation for imperfection in art forms.

Related Concepts:

• текстура (texture)
• разрешение (resolution)
• освещение (lighting)