Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hirsute'

English Word: hirsute

Key Russian Translations:

• волосатый [vɐlɐˈsatɨj] - [Formal; used for describing excessive hair on humans or animals]
• мохнатый [mɐˈxnətɨj] - [Informal; implies shagginess or a more unkempt appearance]

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

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2; Learners need familiarity with Russian adjectives, inflections, and vocabulary related to physical descriptions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

волосатый: [vɐlɐˈsatɨj] (The stress is on the third syllable; note the soft 't' sound, which can be challenging for beginners.)

Note on волосатый: This word has a clear, emphatic pronunciation; the 'л' is soft, and the ending '-ый' softens in informal speech. Variations may occur in dialects.

Audio: []

мохнатый: [mɐˈxnətɨj] (Stress on the second syllable; the 'x' is a guttural sound, similar to the Scottish 'ch' in 'loch'.)

Note on мохнатый: Pay attention to the 'x' fricative, which is common in Russian but absent in English; this can lead to mispronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Covered with hair or having an excessive amount of hair (typically used for people, animals, or objects).

Translation(s) & Context:

• волосатый - Used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as biology or literature, to describe someone or something with abundant hair.
• мохнатый - Informal contexts, like casual descriptions of pets or fictional characters, emphasizing a wild or unkempt appearance.

Usage Examples:

• Он был очень волосатый, особенно на руках и ногах. (He was very hirsute, especially on his arms and legs.)

  Translation: He was very hirsute, especially on his arms and legs.

• Эта порода собак мохнатая и требует регулярного ухода. (This breed of dog is hirsute and requires regular grooming.)

  Translation: This breed of dog is hirsute and requires regular grooming.

• В джунглях мы встретили волосатого паука, который выглядел устрашающе. (In the jungle, we encountered a hirsute spider that looked intimidating.)

  Translation: In the jungle, we encountered a hirsute spider that looked intimidating.

• Мохнатый ковёр в гостиной делал комнату уютной, но пыльной. (The hirsute rug in the living room made the room cozy but dusty.)

  Translation: The hirsute rug in the living room made the room cozy but dusty.

• Актер в фильме сыграл роль волосатого варвара, что придало персонажу аутентичности. (The actor in the film played the role of a hirsute barbarian, which added authenticity to the character.)

  Translation: The actor in the film played the role of a hirsute barbarian, which added authenticity to the character.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "волосатый" and "мохнатый" are Russian adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for hard-stem adjectives.

For "волосатый" (an example of a hard-stem adjective):

For "мохнатый", the inflections follow the same pattern:

These adjectives do not have irregular forms but must agree with the noun in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пушистый [puʂɨˈstɨj] - Fluffier, often used for soft hair like on animals.
  • шерстистый [ʂɨrʲˈstʲistɨj] - Woolly or fibrous, with a connotation of texture.
• Antonyms:
  • лысый [lɨˈsɨj] - Bald or hairless.
  • гладкий [ˈɡladkʲij] - Smooth, without hair or texture.

Related Phrases:

• волосатый как медведь - Literally "hirsute like a bear"; used to describe someone extremely hairy in a humorous or exaggerated way. (English equivalent: "hairy as a bear")
• мохнатый зверь - "Shaggy beast"; a common phrase for wild, unkempt animals in stories. (English equivalent: "furry creature")

Usage Notes:

• "Hirsute" directly corresponds to "волосатый" in formal contexts, but "мохнатый" is preferred for informal or vivid descriptions. Always ensure the adjective agrees with the noun in gender, number, and case.
• Use "волосатый" in scientific or medical discussions (e.g., dermatology), while "мохнатый" fits everyday or literary language.
• Be cautious with cultural sensitivity; these words can be playful but may offend if used inappropriately.

Common Errors:

• Error: Forgetting to inflect the adjective, e.g., saying "волосатый женщина" instead of "волосатая женщина". Correct: Adjectives must agree; explanation: Russian requires gender agreement, unlike English.
• Error: Confusing with "волосы" (hair), leading to misuse like "волосы человек" for a hirsute person. Correct: Use "волосатый" as an adjective; explanation: "Волосы" is a noun for hair strands, not a descriptor.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "волосатый" or "мохнатый" often appear in folklore and literature to describe mythical creatures like bears or forest spirits, symbolizing wildness or untamed nature. This reflects Russia's historical connection to vast, hairy wildlife in its forests.

Related Concepts:

• волосы (hair)
• шерсть (fur)
• борода (beard)