Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mouldy'

English Word: mouldy

Key Russian Translations:

• плесневый [ˈplʲesnʲɪvɨj] - [Informal; used for everyday objects or food]
• гнилой [ɡnʲiˈloj] - [Informal; often implies more advanced decay, but can overlap in food contexts]

Frequency: Low - This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation; they appear more in specific contexts like food safety or descriptions of neglect.

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1) - Learners at this level can grasp the basic concept, but mastering adjective inflections may require practice. For 'плесневый', it's B1; for 'гнилой', it's A2 due to its simpler usage.

Pronunciation (Russian):

плесневый: [ˈplʲesnʲɪvɨj]

гнилой: [ɡnʲiˈloj]

Note on плесневый: The soft 'л' sound ([lʲ]) can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the 'l' in "million". Pronounce it with a slight palatalization.

Note on гнилой: The stress is on the second syllable; avoid overemphasizing the 'г' sound, which is guttural like in "go".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Covered with mould or fungus, often implying staleness or decay (e.g., on food or damp objects).

Translation(s) & Context:

• плесневый - Used in informal contexts for perishable items like bread or cheese; common in everyday complaints about food quality.
• гнилой - Applied in broader decay scenarios, such as rotten fruit, but can substitute for mouldy in casual speech; less precise for fungal growth.

Usage Examples:

• Этот хлеб плесневый и непригоден для еды.

  This bread is mouldy and unfit for eating. (Demonstrates basic adjective use with food.)

• В подвале образовался плесневый налет на стенах из-за влажности.

  A mouldy layer formed on the walls in the basement due to humidity. (Shows use in describing environmental decay.)

• Не ешьте этот гнилой фрукт; он плесневый и может быть опасным.

  Don't eat this rotten fruit; it's mouldy and could be dangerous. (Illustrates overlap between translations in a warning context.)

• Плесневый сыр иногда используется в кулинарии, но этот экземпляр явно испорчен.

  Mouldy cheese is sometimes used in cooking, but this one is clearly spoiled. (Highlights nuanced usage where mould can be intentional, like in blue cheese.)

• После дождя одежда в шкафу стала гнилой и плесневой.

  After the rain, the clothes in the wardrobe became rotten and mouldy. (Shows combination with other descriptors in a narrative.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'плесневый' and 'гнилой' are adjectives, which inflect for gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives follow standard patterns with some irregularities based on their stems.

For 'плесневый' (a hard-stem adjective):

For 'гнилой' (also a hard-stem adjective, with regular inflections):

These adjectives do not have irregular forms but must agree with the noun they modify. If the adjective is used predicatively, it may remain in its base form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • испорченный (isporchennyj) - More general for spoiled items; differs from плесневый by not specifying mould.
  • заплесневелый (zaplesnevelyj) - Emphasizes the process of becoming mouldy; used in more descriptive contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • свежий (svezhij) - Fresh, opposite in food contexts.
  • чистый (chistyj) - Clean, implying no decay or mould.

Related Phrases:

• плесневый сыр - Mouldy cheese; refers to cheese with intentional mould, like blue cheese, but can mean spoiled in negative contexts.
• гнилой запах - Rotten smell; a common phrase for describing foul odors associated with decay.
• заплесневелый хлеб - Mould-covered bread; used to describe bread that has developed mould over time.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'плесневый' directly corresponds to 'mouldy' when describing fungal growth, while 'гнилой' is better for overall rot. Both are informal and avoid formal writing; opt for 'плесневый' in food-related contexts. Remember that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun (e.g., 'плесневый хлеб' for masculine singular). When choosing between translations, use 'гнилой' if decay is more advanced than just mould.

• Grammar tip: In sentences, place the adjective before the noun, as in English, but ensure proper inflection.
• Context guidance: In culinary discussions, 'плесневый' might not always be negative (e.g., gourmet cheese), unlike in 'mouldy'.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'плесневый' interchangeably with 'гнилой' without considering nuance. Incorrect: "Этот фрукт плесневый" (if it's actually rotten, not just mouldy). Correct: "Этот фрукт гнилой". Explanation: 'Плесневый' specifically means mouldy, while 'гнилой' covers broader decay; this misuse can lead to confusion in descriptions.
• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "плесневый яблоко" instead of "плесневое яблоко" for neuter nouns. Incorrect: "Плесневый яблоко". Correct: "Плесневое яблоко". Explanation: Russian requires gender agreement, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'плесневый' often appear in contexts related to food preservation in harsh climates, where mould is a common issue in homes or stored goods. This reflects historical challenges with storage in rural areas, emphasizing the importance of freshness in traditional cuisine.

Related Concepts:

• грибок (fungus or mould as a substance)
• влажность (humidity, a common cause of mould)
• испорченность (spoilage in general)