Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'icy'

English Word: icy

Key Russian Translations:

• ледяной [lʲɪˈdʲanəj] - [Adjective, used for describing something very cold, covered in ice, or metaphorically frigid; Informal to Formal]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language, especially in contexts like weather descriptions, but not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives like "холодный").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; Learners need to understand Russian adjective declensions, which can be challenging for beginners, but the word itself is straightforward once basic patterns are learned).

Pronunciation (Russian):

ледяной: [lʲɪˈdʲanəj]

Note on ледяной: The soft sign (ь) after "д" softens the preceding consonant, making it sound more palatalized. Stress is on the second syllable. Be cautious with the "я" sound, which is like "ya" in "yard".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Covered with ice or frozen

Translation(s) & Context:

• ледяной - Used in literal contexts like describing weather, roads, or objects; Common in winter-related discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Дорога была ледяной после ночного мороза.

  The road was icy after the overnight frost.

• Ледяной ветер пронизывал нас на прогулке.

  The icy wind pierced through us during the walk.

• Ее руки были ледяными от холода.

  Her hands were icy from the cold.

• Ледяной покров на реке таял под солнцем.

  The icy cover on the river was melting under the sun.

Meaning 2: Very cold in manner or emotionally distant

Translation(s) & Context:

• ледяной - Used metaphorically for people or attitudes; Often in formal or literary contexts to describe emotional coldness.

Usage Examples:

• Его ледяной взгляд заставил меня замолчать.

  His icy stare made me fall silent.

• Она ответила ледяным тоном, не скрывая раздражения.

  She replied in an icy tone, not hiding her irritation.

• Ледяное молчание в комнате было невыносимым.

  The icy silence in the room was unbearable.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Ледяной is an adjective in Russian, which means it follows the standard adjectival declension patterns. Russian adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify. It is a hard-stem adjective, so its endings change based on the noun's characteristics. Below is a table of its basic forms:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • холодный (kholodnyy) - More general for "cold"; Often interchangeable but less intense than ледяной.
  • морозный (moroznyy) - Specifically for frost-related coldness, used in winter contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • теплый (teplyy) - Warm, opposite in temperature.
  • горячий (goryachiy) - Hot, especially for objects or emotions.

Related Phrases:

• Ледяной ветер - Icy wind; A common phrase for describing harsh winter conditions.
• Ледяной покров - Icy cover; Refers to ice on surfaces like rivers or roads.
• Ледяное сердце - Icy heart; A metaphorical phrase for someone emotionally cold or unfeeling.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "ледяной" directly corresponds to the literal and metaphorical uses of "icy" in English, but it's more vivid and often implies extremity. Use it in formal or descriptive contexts, such as literature or weather reports, rather than casual conversation where "холодный" might suffice. Grammatically, always ensure it agrees with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and case. When choosing between translations like "ледяной" and "холодный", opt for "ледяной" if emphasizing severity or ice-like quality.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "ледяной" without proper declension, e.g., saying "ледяной дом" when the correct form should be "ледяной дом" (already correct here, but learners might forget in other cases like genitive: "ледяного дома"). Correct: Always decline based on case; Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree, unlike English, so practice with noun phrases.

• Error: Confusing "ледяной" with "холодный" in metaphorical contexts, e.g., using "ледяной" for mild coldness. Correct: Reserve "ледяной" for extreme or ice-related scenarios; Explanation: Overuse can sound exaggerated, leading to miscommunication in social settings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "ледяной" often evoke the harshness of winter, which is a significant part of Russian identity. For instance, it's commonly used in literature (e.g., in works by Tolstoy or Chekhov) to symbolize emotional isolation or the unforgiving Russian climate, reflecting themes of resilience and endurance.

Related Concepts:

• мороз (moroz) - Frost
• снег (sneg) - Snow
• холод (kholod) - Coldness