Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gross'

English Word: gross

Key Russian Translations:

• мерзкий /mɛrzkʲij/ - [Informal, often used for something repulsive or disgusting]
• отталкивающий /ɐt̪t̪ɐlkʲɪvʊʂʲɪj/ - [Formal, emphasizes repulsion or unappealing nature]
• гадкий /ɡadkʲij/ - [Informal, similar to 'gross' in everyday contexts like describing unpleasant tastes or appearances]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are commonly encountered in everyday Russian conversations, literature, and media, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.

Difficulty: B1 - Intermediate level; learners should understand these adjectives after basic grammar study, though nuances in usage may require practice. For 'мерзкий', it's B1; for 'отталкивающий', it might lean towards B2 due to its more formal tone.

Pronunciation (Russian):

мерзкий: /mɛrzkʲij/ - Stress on the first syllable; the 'кʲ' sound is a palatalized 'k', which can be tricky for English speakers.

Note on мерзкий: Be careful with the palatalization; it's similar to the 'ky' in 'cute' but sharper. Variations in regional accents may soften the 'kʲ' sound.

отталкивающий: /ɐt̪t̪ɐlkʲɪvʊʂʲɪj/ - Stress on the third syllable; the 'шʲ' is a soft 'sh' sound.

Note on отталкивающий: This longer word often has a rolling rhythm; practice breaking it into syllables for better fluency.

гадкий: /ɡadkʲij/ - Stress on the first syllable; the 'дʲ' is palatalized, making it sound more like 'dj'.

Note on гадкий: In fast speech, the 'кʲ' might blend with the previous consonant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Disgusting or repulsive (e.g., describing something unpleasant to the senses)

Translation(s) & Context:

• мерзкий - Used in informal settings, such as everyday conversations about food or appearances. Context: Everyday disgust, like a messy room.
• отталкивающий - Formal contexts, such as literature or professional descriptions, emphasizing strong aversion. Context: Academic or critical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Этот суп такой мерзкий, что я не могу его есть. (This soup is so gross that I can't eat it.)

  Translation: This example shows 'мерзкий' in a casual meal context, highlighting sensory disgust.

• Её поведение было отталкивающим для всех в комнате. (Her behavior was gross to everyone in the room.)

  Translation: Here, 'отталкивающий' is used in a social setting to describe repulsive actions, in a more formal tone.

• Гадкий запах emanates from the garbage can. (The gross smell is coming from the garbage can.)

  Translation: 'Гадкий' illustrates everyday olfactory disgust, common in descriptive narratives.

• Мерзкий дождь испортил наш пикник. (The gross rain ruined our picnic.)

  Translation: This demonstrates 'мерзкий' in weather contexts, extending to unpleasant environmental conditions.

• Отталкивающий вид этого фильма отпугнул зрителей. (The gross sight of this film scared off the viewers.)

  Translation: 'Отталкивающий' in a cultural or entertainment context, showing visual repulsion.

Meaning 2: Total or whole amount (e.g., in financial or quantitative contexts, less common for 'gross' as an adjective)

Translation(s) & Context:

• валовой - Used in formal or business settings for totals before deductions. Context: Economic reports or accounting.

Usage Examples:

• Валовой доход компании вырос на 20%. (The gross income of the company increased by 20%.)

  Translation: This example uses 'валовой' in a financial context to mean the total before adjustments.

• Расчёт валовой прибыли требует точных данных. (Calculating gross profit requires accurate data.)

  Translation: Here, it shows 'валовой' in business discussions, emphasizing comprehensive totals.

• Валовой объём продаж был впечатляющим. (The gross sales volume was impressive.)

  Translation: Demonstrates usage in quantitative reports.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives like 'мерзкий', 'отталкивающий', and 'гадкий' follow standard first-declension patterns for hard-stem adjectives.

Note: These are regular inflections. 'Валовой' (for the financial meaning) is also an adjective and follows similar patterns but is less variable in everyday use.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Отвратительный - Similar to 'gross' but more intense; used for extreme disgust.
  • Гнусный - Implies moral repulsiveness, often in formal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • Привлекательный - Meaning 'attractive', opposite in sensory appeal.
  • Приятный - Meaning 'pleasant', contrasting with unpleasantness.

Related Phrases:

• Мерзкий тип - A gross person; refers to someone unlikable or repulsive in behavior.
• Отталкивающий вид - Gross appearance; used for visual disgust, e.g., in descriptions.
• Гадкая погода - Gross weather; common for unpleasant conditions like rain or fog.

Usage Notes:

'Gross' as an adjective often maps to 'мерзкий' in informal English-Russian equivalents, but choose 'отталкивающий' for more polished or professional contexts to avoid sounding too casual. Be mindful of gender and case agreements in Russian sentences, as adjectives must match the nouns they describe. For financial meanings, 'валовой' is the precise term and is typically used in formal writing or business discussions, not everyday talk.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'мерзкий' in formal contexts where 'отталкивающий' is more appropriate. Incorrect: В отчёте описан мерзкий рост. Correct: В отчёте описан отталкивающий рост. Explanation: 'Мерзкий' sounds too colloquial for reports; opt for 'отталкивающий' to maintain professionalism.
• Error: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., saying 'мерзкий дом' for a feminine noun. Incorrect: Этот мерзкий дом (if 'дом' is masculine, it's correct, but mismatch errors are common). Correct: Эта мерзкая книга (for feminine 'книга'). Explanation: Always adjust for gender, number, and case to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'мерзкий' often carry a strong emotional connotation, reflecting the language's emphasis on expressive descriptions. For instance, in literature such as Dostoevsky's works, similar terms are used to depict moral or physical decay, highlighting Russia's historical focus on introspection and critique of society.

Related Concepts:

• Отвратительный
• Гнусный
• Привлекательный