Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'humid'

English Word: humid

Key Russian Translations:

• влажный /ˈvlɑʐnɨj/ - [Adjective, Formal, Used in weather or environmental contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday discussions about weather, but not as frequent as basic adjectives like "хороший").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective declensions, but the word itself is straightforward for learners familiar with basic vocabulary).

Pronunciation (Russian):

влажный: /ˈvlɑʐnɨj/

Note on влажный: The "ж" sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the "s" in "measure" in English. Stress falls on the first syllable, and the ending "ый" softens in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Having a high level of moisture in the air, often describing weather or environments.

Translation(s) & Context:

• влажный - Used in formal or scientific contexts, such as weather reports or descriptions of climate; common in both spoken and written Russian.

Usage Examples:

• Влажный воздух в тропиках может быть удушливым.

  Humid air in the tropics can be stifling.

• Летом в Москве часто бывает влажный климат из-за дождей.

  In the summer, Moscow often has a humid climate due to rains.

• Эта влажная погода идеальна для роста растений.

  This humid weather is ideal for plant growth.

• Влажный подвал требует немедленной вентиляции.

  The humid basement needs immediate ventilation.

• После дождя улицы становятся влажными и скользкими.

  After the rain, the streets become humid and slippery.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Влажный is an adjective in Russian and follows the standard pattern of first-declension adjectives. It changes based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify, which can be regular or irregular depending on the word. Влажный is regular.

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it easier for learners to master compared to verbs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • влажный - Similar to "увлажненный" (uvlazhnennyy), but влажный is more general for natural humidity; увлажненный implies artificial moistening.
  • сырой (syroy) - Often used interchangeably in informal contexts, but implies dampness that might be unpleasant.
• Antonyms:
  • сухой (sukhoy) - Dry, opposite in weather descriptions.
  • аридный (aridnyy) - Specifically for arid or desert-like conditions, less common in everyday speech.

Related Phrases:

• Влажный климат - Humid climate; often used in discussions about geography or travel.
• Влажный воздух - Humid air; common in health or environmental contexts.
• Влажные тропики - Humid tropics; refers to tropical regions with high moisture.

Usage Notes:

Влажный directly corresponds to "humid" in English, focusing on atmospheric moisture rather than wetness from liquid. It is versatile across formal and informal settings but is more common in written or scientific language. When choosing between translations like влажный and сырой, opt for влажный in weather-related contexts to avoid connotations of mold or unpleasant dampness. Always ensure the adjective agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies, as per Russian grammar rules.

• In spoken Russian, влажный might be softened in casual conversation, e.g., in friendly weather chats.
• Avoid using it in extreme formal contexts where more precise terms like "влажностный" (related to humidity levels) might be preferred.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse влажный with сырой, thinking they mean the same thing. For example, a common mistake is saying "сырой день" to mean "humid day," which implies a "damp" or "raw" day that could suggest discomfort or poor quality. Correct usage: Use "влажный день" for a naturally humid day. Another error is forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "влажный книга" instead of "влажная книга" for "humid book." Always check the noun's gender and case to avoid this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussions about влажный weather often tie into the country's vast climatic diversity, from the humid summers in European Russia to the more arid regions in Siberia. This word frequently appears in literature, like in Chekhov's stories, where humid conditions symbolize emotional stagnation or melancholy, reflecting the broader Slavic association of weather with human mood.

Related Concepts:

• Климат (klimat) - Climate
• Влажность (vlaghnost') - Humidity
• Дождливый (dozhdliwy) - Rainy