Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'malleable'

English Word: malleable

Key Russian Translations:

• пластичный [plɐˈstʲitɕnɨj] - [General use, Formal]
• гибкий [ˈgʲibkʲɪj] - [Informal, often for flexibility in character or objects]
• ковкий [ˈkovkʲɪj] - [Specific to metals, Formal, Used in technical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific, educational, and everyday discussions about materials and personality traits)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective forms and contextual nuances; for 'пластичный', B2; for 'гибкий', B1)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пластичный: [plɐˈstʲitɕnɨj]

гибкий: [ˈgʲibkʲɪj] (Note on гибкий: The 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, which may be challenging for English speakers; pronounced like a soft 'g' in 'go')

ковкий: [ˈkovkʲɪj] (Note on ковкий: Stress on the first syllable; the 'к' is unaspirated)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Capable of being shaped or molded (e.g., referring to materials like clay or metal).

Translation(s) & Context:

• пластичный - Used in scientific or material science contexts, such as describing metals or plastics that can be molded without breaking.
• ковкий - Specifically for metals that can be hammered or forged, often in industrial or historical contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Этот металл пластичный и легко поддаётся формованию.

  This metal is malleable and easily takes shape.

• Пластичные материалы используются в современной скульптуре для создания сложных форм.

  Malleable materials are used in modern sculpture to create complex shapes.

• Ковкий железо было ключевым в древней кузнечной работе.

  Malleable iron was key in ancient blacksmithing work.

• В эксперименте мы тестировали, насколько пластичен этот сплав при высоких температурах.

  In the experiment, we tested how malleable this alloy is at high temperatures.

Meaning 2: Easily influenced or adaptable (e.g., referring to personality or ideas).

Translation(s) & Context:

• гибкий - Used metaphorically for people or ideas that can adapt or change easily, in everyday or psychological contexts.
• пластичный - Less common for personality, but can be used in formal psychological discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Его характер гибкий, что позволяет ему быстро адаптироваться к новым ситуациям.

  His character is malleable, allowing him to quickly adapt to new situations.

• В переговорах важно быть гибким, чтобы найти компромисс.

  In negotiations, it's important to be malleable to find a compromise.

• Пластичный ум учёного позволяет ему пересматривать гипотезы на основе новых данных.

  A malleable mind of a scientist allows him to revise hypotheses based on new data.

• Дети имеют более гибкий подход к обучению, чем взрослые.

  Children have a more malleable approach to learning than adults.

• Её взгляды на жизнь оказались гибкими под влиянием опыта.

  Her views on life turned out to be malleable under the influence of experience.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Below is a table for 'пластичный' as an example; similar patterns apply to 'гибкий' and 'ковкий' with slight variations.

For 'гибкий': Follows a similar pattern but is irregular in some cases due to palatalization. For 'ковкий': Generally unchanging in root but inflects like other adjectives.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • гибкий (similar to 'пластичный' but emphasizes flexibility over moldability)
  • эластичный (more about elasticity, used in physical contexts)
  • податливый (implies ease of influence, especially for materials or people)
• Antonyms:
  • твёрдый (hard, unyielding)
  • неподатливый (unyielding, resistant to change)
  • жёсткий (rigid, inflexible)

Related Phrases:

• пластичный материал - A malleable material; refers to substances that can be shaped easily.
• гибкий ум - A malleable mind; used for someone adaptable in thinking.
• ковкий металл - Malleable metal; common in metallurgy for forgeable materials.
• быть гибким в решениях - To be malleable in decisions; implies adaptability in choices.

Usage Notes:

'Пластичный' is the most direct translation for 'malleable' in material contexts, while 'гибкий' suits personality or abstract uses. Be cautious with formality: 'ковкий' is technical and less common in everyday speech. In Russian, adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which differs from English. Choose based on context—e.g., use 'пластичный' for physical properties and 'гибкий' for metaphorical ones.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'мягкий' (soft) as a direct synonym for 'malleable', which implies softness rather than shapeability. Correct: Use 'пластичный' for materials. Example of error: "Этот металл мягкий" (meaning soft, not malleable). Correct: "Этот металл пластичный". Explanation: 'Мягкий' doesn't convey the ability to be molded.

• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "пластичный женщина" instead of "пластичная женщина". Correct: Always match gender and case. Explanation: Russian requires full agreement, unlike English, to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like 'гибкий' (malleable) often appear in literature and philosophy, such as in discussions of adaptability in harsh environments, reflecting Russia's historical resilience. For instance, Russian proverbs emphasize flexibility in character as a survival trait, similar to how malleable metals are valued in traditional crafts.

Related Concepts:

• гибкость
• эластичность
• адаптация
• податливость