Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'muscular'

English Word: muscular

Key Russian Translations:

• мускулистый [mʊsˈku.lʲɪ.stɨj] - [Informal; often used in everyday contexts to describe physical build]
• мышечный [mɨˈʃɛt͡ɕ.nɨj] - [Formal; more technical, especially in medical or anatomical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word is commonly encountered in discussions of fitness, sports, or health, but not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives like "big" or "strong".)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level should grasp basic adjective forms, though irregular inflections may pose challenges. For 'мускулистый', it's straightforward; for 'мышечный', it aligns with standard adjective patterns.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мускулистый: [mʊsˈku.lʲɪ.stɨj]

мышечный: [mɨˈʃɛt͡ɕ.nɨj]

Note on мускулистый: The stress falls on the second syllable, and the 'лʲ' sound is a soft 'l', which can be tricky for English speakers. Pronounce it with a clear, rolled 'r' if emphasizing in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Having well-developed muscles or relating to muscles (physical strength and build)

Translation(s) & Context:

• мускулистый - Used in informal, everyday contexts like describing athletes or fitness enthusiasts; implies a positive, aesthetic quality.
• мышечный - Applied in formal or technical settings, such as medicine or biology; focuses on the anatomical aspect rather than appearance.

Usage Examples:

• Он мускулистый спортсмен, который тренируется ежедневно.

  He is a muscular athlete who trains every day. (This example shows the adjective in a nominative context describing a person.)

• Её мускулистые руки свидетельствуют о годах упорных тренировок.

  Her muscular arms are evidence of years of hard training. (Here, it describes body parts in a possessive structure.)

• Врачи изучают мышечные ткани для диагностики травм.

  Doctors study muscular tissues to diagnose injuries. (This uses the technical translation in a medical context.)

• Мускулистый мужчина выиграл соревнование по бодибилдингу.

  The muscular man won the bodybuilding competition. (Demonstrates informal usage in sports narratives.)

• Мышечный спазм может вызвать сильную боль.

  A muscular spasm can cause severe pain. (Illustrates the formal translation in a health-related sentence.)

Meaning: Related to muscle function or strength in a metaphorical sense

Translation(s) & Context:

• мускулистый - Occasionally used metaphorically in informal speech, e.g., for strong arguments or robust systems, though less common.
• мышечный - Rarely used metaphorically; sticks to literal anatomical meanings.

Usage Examples:

• Его мускулистый стиль письма привлекает читателей.

  His muscular writing style attracts readers. (Metaphorical use to describe vigorous or forceful expression.)

• Мышечный контроль необходим для точных движений в танце.

  Muscular control is necessary for precise movements in dance. (Literal use in a performance arts context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'мускулистый' and 'мышечный' are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives follow standard patterns, agreeing with the nouns they modify. 'Мускулистый' is a regular adjective, while 'мышечный' also follows regular rules but is more formal.

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular inflections, making them relatively easy for learners, but always ensure agreement with the noun's gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • крепкий [krʲepˈkʲij] - Strong and sturdy; often used for physical robustness but with a broader connotation.
  • сильный [ˈsʲilʲ.nɨj] - Powerful; more general and can imply strength beyond physical attributes.
• Antonyms:
  • слабый [ˈsla.bɨj] - Weak; directly contrasts with physical strength.
  • хилый [ˈxʲi.lɨj] - Frail or puny; emphasizes lack of muscle development.

Related Phrases:

• Мускулистые руки - Muscular arms; used to describe strong limbs in fitness contexts.
• Мышечный тонус - Muscle tone; a common phrase in health and exercise discussions, referring to muscle firmness.
• Развить мускулистое тело - To develop a muscular body; an idiomatic expression for building physique through training.

Usage Notes:

'Мускулистый' is the most direct and idiomatic translation for 'muscular' in casual English-to-Russian contexts, especially when describing appearance, while 'мышечный' is better for scientific or medical uses. English speakers should note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify, which has no direct equivalent in English. For example, use 'мускулистая' for feminine nouns. In formal writing, prefer 'мышечный' to avoid sounding too colloquial. When choosing between translations, consider the context: informal conversations favor 'мускулистый', while professional settings require 'мышечный'.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'мускулистый' in a technical context, e.g., saying "мускулистый ткань" instead of "мышечная ткань".
  Correct: "Мышечная ткань" means "muscular tissue". Explanation: 'Мускулистый' implies visual strength, not anatomical structure, leading to confusion in medical discussions.
• Mistake: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "мускулистый женщина" instead of "мускулистая женщина".
  Correct: "Мускулистая женщина". Explanation: Russian requires gender agreement, which English learners often overlook, resulting in grammatically incorrect sentences.
• Mistake: Overusing 'мускулистый' metaphorically, as it's less flexible than English 'muscular'.
  Correct: In metaphorical uses, opt for 'сильный' if needed. Explanation: 'Мускулистый' is primarily literal, so forcing it into abstracts can sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'мускулистый' often tie into ideals of physical fitness and strength, influenced by historical emphasis on sports in the Soviet era. For instance, bodybuilding and athletic prowess are celebrated in events like the Olympics, where muscular builds symbolize national pride and resilience. However, in everyday language, there's a cultural nuance that excessive focus on appearance might be seen as vain, so use these terms judiciously in social contexts.

Related Concepts:

• спорт (sport)
• тренировка (training)
• физическая форма (physical form)