Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'oblique'

English Word: oblique

Key Russian Translations:

• косой [ˈkɐsəj] - [Informal, used in everyday contexts like geometry or descriptions]
• косвенный [ˈkosvʲɪnʲɪj] - [Formal, often in academic, legal, or grammatical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in technical, mathematical, and conversational Russian, but not in daily casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires basic understanding of Russian adjectives and declensions; for 'косвенный', it may be slightly more challenging due to formal usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

косой: [ˈkɐsəj]

косвенный: [ˈkosvʲɪnʲɪj]

Note on косой: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'ой' ending can vary slightly in rapid speech to [ɐj], which is a common feature in informal Russian pronunciation.

Note on косвенный: Pay attention to the palatalized 'вʲ' sound, which is a hallmark of Russian phonetics and can be tricky for English speakers. It sounds softer than a standard 'v'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: In geometry or physical description, referring to something not at a right angle or slanted.

Translation(s) & Context:

• косой - Used in informal or technical descriptions, such as describing lines or angles in everyday or educational settings.

Usage Examples:

• Эта линия на чертеже косая, поэтому она не параллельна оси.

  This line on the drawing is oblique, so it is not parallel to the axis.

• В архитектуре косые углы часто используются для создания динамичного эффекта.

  In architecture, oblique angles are often used to create a dynamic effect.

• Косой луч света проник в комнату через щель в занавеске.

  The oblique ray of light entered the room through a gap in the curtain.

Meaning 2: In a general sense, meaning indirect, evasive, or not straightforward (e.g., in communication or grammar).

Translation(s) & Context:

• косвенный - Used in formal contexts like legal documents, grammar explanations, or diplomatic speech to denote indirectness.

Usage Examples:

• Его косвенный намек на проблему был понят всеми присутствующими.

  His oblique hint about the issue was understood by everyone present.

• В русском языке косвенный вопрос формируется с помощью слов типа "что" или "как".

  In the Russian language, an oblique (indirect) question is formed using words like 'what' or 'how'.

• Косвенный подход в переговорах иногда бывает эффективнее прямого.

  An oblique approach in negotiations is sometimes more effective than a direct one.

• Эта косвенная критика была адресована руководству компании.

  This oblique criticism was directed at the company's management.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'косой' and 'косвенный' are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern of agreement with nouns and can be either hard-stem or soft-stem. 'Косой' is a hard-stem adjective, while 'косвенный' is soft-stem due to the ending.

For 'косой' (e.g., in Meaning 1):

For 'косвенный' (e.g., in Meaning 2), it follows a similar pattern but with soft endings:

These adjectives do not change in short form or comparative degrees unless context demands it (e.g., 'косее' for comparative of 'косой').

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • наклонный (naklonnyy) - Similar to 'косой', but more specific to slanted surfaces; often used in technical contexts.
  • непрямой (nepryamoy) - Synonymous with 'косвенный' for indirect meanings, but less formal.
• Antonyms:
  • прямой (pryamoy) - Direct or straight, contrasting with both 'косой' and 'косвенный'.
  • прямоугольный (pryamougol'nyy) - Right-angled, specifically opposing 'косой' in geometric contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Косой угол (kosoy ugol) - Oblique angle; used in geometry or design to describe non-perpendicular angles.
• Косвенная речь (kosvennaya rech') - Indirect speech; a grammatical concept in Russian, equivalent to reported speech in English.
• Косой взгляд (kosoy vzglyad) - Oblique glance; an idiomatic phrase meaning a suspicious or sidelong look.

Usage Notes:

• Choose 'косой' for physical or visual descriptions (e.g., in art or math), as it feels more natural and less formal than 'косвенный'.
• 'Косвенный' is preferred in abstract or communicative contexts, such as grammar or diplomacy, where precision is key; it directly aligns with English 'oblique' in legal or indirect meanings.
• Always ensure adjective agreement with the noun in gender, number, and case to avoid grammatical errors.
• In spoken Russian, 'косой' can carry a slightly negative connotation in non-technical uses (e.g., implying deceit), so context matters.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'косой' in formal grammatical contexts instead of 'косвенный'.
  Correct: "Косвенный вопрос" (Indirect question) instead of "Косой вопрос".
  Explanation: 'Косой' implies physical slant, not abstract indirectness, which can confuse the meaning.
• Error: Failing to decline the adjective properly, e.g., saying "косой дом" in genitive as "косой дома" instead of "косого дома".
  Correct: "косого дома" (of the oblique house).
  Explanation: Russian requires full agreement, and English speakers often overlook case changes.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'косвенный' in communication can reflect the value placed on indirectness in social interactions, such as in literature or diplomacy (e.g., in classic works by Pushkin, where oblique hints are common). This contrasts with more direct Western styles and highlights Russia's historical emphasis on subtlety in expression.

Related Concepts:

• наклон (naklon) - Slope or inclination.
• прямой угол (pryamoy ugol) - Right angle.
• косвенная форма (kosvennaya forma) - Indirect form, as in grammar.