Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'intimate'

English Word: intimate

Key Russian Translations:

• Интимный [ɪnˈtʲimnɨj] - [Adjective, Formal; used in contexts of personal or private matters]
• Намекать [nɐˈmʲekətʲ] - [Verb, Informal; implies hinting or suggesting subtly]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations and literature, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective and verb conjugations; for 'Интимный', it's straightforward, but 'Намекать' involves verb aspects which may vary in difficulty)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Интимный: [ɪnˈtʲimnɨj]

Note on Интимный: The stress falls on the second syllable ('tʲim'), and the 'ы' sound can be challenging for English speakers as it's a centralized vowel. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Намекать: [nɐˈmʲekətʲ]

Note on Намекать: The soft 'мʲ' sound requires palatalization, which is common in Russian verbs; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Adjective: Close, private, or personal (e.g., referring to relationships or spaces)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Интимный - Used in formal or semi-formal contexts to describe something deeply personal, like a conversation or relationship; often implies confidentiality.

Usage Examples:

• У нас была интимная беседа о семейных секретах.

  We had an intimate conversation about family secrets.

• Эта комната предназначена для интимных встреч.

  This room is intended for intimate gatherings.

• Интимный ужин при свечах создал романтическую атмосферу.

  The intimate candlelit dinner created a romantic atmosphere.

• Интимные детали ее жизни остались в дневнике.

  The intimate details of her life remained in the diary.

• В интимной обстановке друзья поделились своими мыслями.

  In an intimate setting, friends shared their thoughts.

Verb: To hint or suggest indirectly (e.g., implying without stating outright)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Намекать - Used in informal conversations to subtly convey information; common in storytelling or polite discourse to avoid directness.

Usage Examples:

• Он намекал на проблемы в отношениях, но не сказал прямо.

  He intimated problems in the relationship but didn't say it directly.

• В письме она намекала на возможную встречу.

  In the letter, she intimated a possible meeting.

• Доктор намекал на необходимость диеты, не называя это прямо.

  The doctor intimated the need for a diet without stating it outright.

• Она намекала на подарок, описывая, что ей нравится.

  She intimated about a gift by describing what she likes.

• В разговоре он намекал на секреты, чтобы разжечь интерес.

  In the conversation, he intimated secrets to spark interest.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'Интимный' (adjective): This is a standard Russian adjective that follows the first declension pattern. It changes based on gender, number, and case. Below is a table of its inflections:

For 'Намекать' (verb): This is an imperfective verb that conjugates irregularly in some aspects. It follows standard conjugation patterns for first-conjugation verbs. Key forms include:

• Present: Я намекаю, Ты намекаешь, Он/Она/Оно намекает, Мы намекаем, Вы намекаете, Они намекают
• Past: Намекал (masc.), Намекала (fem.), Намекало (neuter)
• Future: Буду намека́ть (imperfective)

Note: 'Намекать' has an aspectual pair 'Намекнуть' (perfective), which is used for completed actions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Близкий (closer in emotional sense, often used interchangeably in casual contexts), Личный (personal, emphasizing ownership or privacy)
• Antonyms: Публичный (public, contrasting with private settings), Открытый (open, for hinting)

Related Phrases:

• Интимная жизнь - Refers to one's private or personal life, often in the context of relationships.
• Намекать на что-то - To hint at something, used in conversations to imply without direct statement.
• Интимный разговор - An intimate conversation, highlighting close, confidential discussions.

Usage Notes:

'Интимный' directly corresponds to the English 'intimate' as an adjective, but it's more commonly used in formal or literary contexts in Russian to avoid ambiguity with romantic connotations. For the verb form, 'Намекать' is a precise match for 'to intimate' meaning to hint, but English speakers should note that Russian often requires specifying the aspect (imperfective for ongoing hints). Use 'Интимный' in professional or descriptive settings, and choose 'Намекать' for subtle communication. Be cautious with gender and case agreements in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'Интимный' interchangeably with 'Сексуальный' (sexual), which is incorrect as 'Интимный' focuses on closeness, not eroticism. Correct usage: Say "Интимный ужин" for a private dinner, not implying romance unless context clarifies. Error example: "Интимный пляж" might be misunderstood; better: "Частный пляж".
• Mistake: Forgetting verb aspects with 'Намекать'; learners often omit the perfective 'Намекнуть' for completed actions. Error example: "Я намекаю письмо" (incorrect); Correct: "Я намекнул в письме" for a finished hint.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'Интимный' often carries a strong emphasis on personal boundaries and privacy, influenced by historical contexts like the Soviet era where public life was prominent. It can evoke ideas of emotional depth in relationships, but overuse in casual speech might seem overly dramatic compared to English usage.

Related Concepts:

• Близость
• Личные границы
• Подтекст