Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'murky'

English Word: murky

Key Russian Translations:

• мутный [ˈmutnɨj] - [Informal, often used for literal descriptions like murky water or liquids]
• неясный [nʲɪˈjasnɨj] - [Formal, commonly used for abstract or figurative meanings like unclear situations]
• туманный [ˈtumanɨj] - [Informal, typically for misty or vague atmospheric contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear regularly in everyday Russian conversations and literature, but not as commonly as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level should grasp basic adjective forms, but nuances in context may require practice. For 'мутный', it's B1; for 'неясный', it's also B1 due to its formal usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мутный: [ˈmutnɨj]

неясный: [nʲɪˈjasnɨj]

туманный: [ˈtumanɨj]

Note on мутный: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the 'ы' sound, which is a distinct Russian vowel not found in English. It can vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Literal Meaning: Dark, cloudy, or opaque, often referring to liquids or physical environments.

Translation(s) & Context:

• мутный - Used in everyday contexts for describing murky water or substances, such as in nature or daily life.

Usage Examples:

• Вода в озере была мутной после дождя.

  The water in the lake was murky after the rain.

• Мутный воздух в городе затрудняет дыхание.

  The murky air in the city makes breathing difficult.

• После бури река стала мутной и непривлекательной.

  After the storm, the river became murky and unappealing.

• Мутный сок из фруктов нужно процедить.

  The murky juice from the fruits needs to be strained.

Figurative Meaning: Unclear, ambiguous, or obscure, often in abstract or intellectual contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• неясный - Applied in formal or professional settings for situations that are not straightforward, such as in discussions or reports.
• туманный - Used informally for vague ideas or plans, evoking a sense of mystery or confusion.

Usage Examples:

• Ситуация в переговорах остается неясной.

  The situation in the negotiations remains murky.

• Его туманный ответ не помог прояснить проблему.

  His murky response didn't help clarify the issue.

• Неясный план проекта вызвал путаницу среди команды.

  The murky plan for the project caused confusion among the team.

• Туманный сюжет книги держит читателя в напряжении.

  The murky plot of the book keeps the reader in suspense.

• Неясные инструкции привели к ошибкам в работе.

  The murky instructions led to mistakes in the work.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations ('мутный', 'неясный', 'туманный') are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for most cases.

These adjectives follow regular inflection patterns, with no irregularities. They remain unchanged in form when used predicatively (e.g., "вода мутная").

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Муторный (mutornyy) - Similar to мутный but with a connotation of being tedious or oppressive.
  • Запутанный (zaputannyj) - For figurative murkiness, implying entanglement.
  • Непонятный (neponjatnyj) - Often interchangeable with неясный in casual contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • Ясный (jasnyj) - Clear and evident.
  • Прозрачный (prozrachnyj) - Transparent and unobstructed.
  • Чёткий (chyotkij) - Sharp and precise.

Related Phrases:

• Мутная вода - Murky water; refers to polluted or unclear liquid, often in environmental contexts.
• Неясная перспектива - Murky prospects; used for uncertain future outcomes in business or personal planning.
• Туманный пейзаж - Murky landscape; describes foggy or hazy scenery in literature or art.
• В мутных водах - In murky waters; a metaphorical phrase for getting involved in confusing or risky situations.

Usage Notes:

'Murky' translates most directly to 'мутный' for physical descriptions and 'неясный' for abstract ones. In Russian, choose based on context: use 'мутный' for tangible murkiness (e.g., weather or liquids) and 'неясный' for intellectual ambiguity. Be mindful of formality—'неясный' suits professional or written language, while 'мутный' is more conversational. Adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key grammatical feature in Russian.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'мутный' in abstract contexts where 'неясный' is more appropriate, e.g., saying "мутная ситуация" instead of "неясная ситуация". Correct: 'Неясная ситуация' is better for unclear situations, as 'мутный' implies physical opacity. Explanation: This can make the sentence sound literal and awkward.

• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "мутный вода" (incorrect) instead of "мутная вода" for feminine nouns. Correct: Always match the adjective's ending to the noun's gender and case. Explanation: Russian requires this for grammatical accuracy, unlike English.

• Error: Overusing 'туманный' for all types of murkiness, which might imply a dreamlike quality. Correct: Reserve it for atmospheric or vague scenarios. Explanation: This can lead to miscommunication if the intended meaning is more concrete.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'мутный' often evoke imagery from literature, such as in the works of Tolstoy or Chekhov, where murky environments symbolize moral ambiguity or social unrest. For instance, 'неясная перспектива' might reflect the historical uncertainty during periods like the Soviet era, helping users appreciate the emotional depth in Russian storytelling.

Related Concepts:

• Запутанный (complicated or entangled)
• Тёмный (dark, with broader connotations of mystery)
• Непрозрачный (opaque, often in metaphorical senses)