Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'obtuse'

English Word: obtuse

Key Russian Translations:

• тупой [tʊˈpoj] - [Informal, can be pejorative; used in both geometric and metaphorical contexts]
• неотёсанный [nʲɪɐˈtʲɵsənnɨj] - [Formal, specifically for metaphorical sense of being uncouth or dull]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in educational, mathematical, or everyday conversational contexts, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires understanding of context to differentiate meanings. For "тупой", it's straightforward; for "неотёсанный", it may be slightly harder due to its formal nuance).

Pronunciation (Russian):

тупой: [tʊˈpoj] (The stress is on the second syllable; the 'у' is pronounced as a short 'u' sound, similar to 'oo' in "book".)

Note on тупой: Be cautious with the 'п' sound, which is aspirated; variations may occur in regional dialects, but standard Russian uses this form.

неотёсанный: [nʲɪɐˈtʲɵsənnɨj] (Stress on the third syllable; the soft sign 'ь' softens the preceding consonant, which can be tricky for English speakers.)

Note on неотёсанный: This word has a rolling 'р' in some pronunciations, but in standard Moscow dialect, it's softer. Focus on the vowel shifts for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: In geometry, an angle greater than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees.

Translation(s) & Context:

• тупой - Used in mathematical or scientific contexts to describe an angle; formal in educational settings.

Usage Examples:

• В треугольнике есть тупой угол, который больше 90 градусов.

  In the triangle, there is an obtuse angle that is greater than 90 degrees.

• Геометр объяснил, что тупой угол отличается от прямого.

  The geometer explained that an obtuse angle differs from a right angle.

• В этом чертеже все углы тупые, кроме одного.

  In this drawing, all angles are obtuse except for one.

• Студент нарисовал тупой угол в задании по геометрии.

  The student drew an obtuse angle in the geometry assignment.

Meaning 2: Not quick or alert in perception; dull, stupid, or insensitive (metaphorical sense).

Translation(s) & Context:

• тупой - Informal and pejorative; used in casual conversations to describe someone lacking intelligence.
• неотёсанный - More formal; implies rudeness or lack of refinement, often in social or professional contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он такой тупой, что не понимает простых шуток.

  He is so obtuse that he doesn't understand simple jokes.

• Её неотёсанный ответ обидел собеседника во время дискуссии.

  Her obtuse response offended the interlocutor during the discussion.

• Не будь таким тупым и подумай перед тем, как отвечать.

  Don't be so obtuse and think before you respond.

• В этой комедии главный герой играет роль неотёсанного персонажа.

  In this comedy, the main character plays the role of an obtuse person.

• Тупой подход к проблеме только усугубит ситуацию.

  An obtuse approach to the problem will only worsen the situation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "тупой" (an adjective), it follows standard Russian adjective declension patterns, which vary by gender, number, and case. It is a short-form adjective in some uses but typically long-form.

For "неотёсанный" (also an adjective), it follows similar patterns but is less commonly inflected in modern usage and remains invariant in some fixed phrases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • тупой: глупый (glupyj) - More neutral for stupidity; дурацкий (duraĭskij) - Informal, emphasizing foolishness.
  • неотёсанный: грубый (grubyy) - Implies rudeness; неотшлифованный (neotshlifovannyy) - Suggests lack of refinement, with a connotation of being unpolished.
• Antonyms:
  • остроумный (ostroumnıy) - Witty or sharp-minded.
  • изощренный (izoschrennyy) - Sophisticated or refined.

Related Phrases:

• тупой угол - An obtuse angle; used in geometry to describe angles in shapes.
• быть тупым как пробка - To be as obtuse as a cork; a idiomatic phrase meaning extremely dull or stupid.
• неотёсанный человек - An obtuse person; refers to someone lacking social grace, often in formal critiques.

Usage Notes:

"Тупой" directly corresponds to the English "obtuse" in both geometric and metaphorical senses but carries a strong pejorative tone in everyday use, so it's best avoided in formal writing unless in a mathematical context. "Неотёсанный" is a safer choice for describing intellectual dullness without overt insult. Be mindful of gender and case agreements in Russian sentences, as adjectives must match the nouns they modify. When choosing between translations, opt for "тупой" in casual or technical discussions, but use "неотёсанный" for nuanced social scenarios.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "тупой" too broadly without context, leading to unintended offense. Correct: In geometry, say "тупой угол"; in personal descriptions, use "неотёсанный" for politeness. Example of error: "Он тупой человек" (implying stupidity harshly); Correct: "Он кажется неотёсанным в общении" (He seems obtuse in communication).

• Error: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., using "тупой" in the wrong case. Correct: Match it to the noun, like "в тупом угле" instead of "в тупой угле".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "тупой" often reflect a direct, blunt communication style, which can stem from historical influences like Soviet-era education emphasizing practicality over subtlety. This can lead to misunderstandings in cross-cultural interactions, where English speakers might perceive it as harsher than intended.

Related Concepts:

• угол (ugol) - Angle (geometric term).
• глупость (glupost') - Stupidity or foolishness.
• интеллект (intellekt) - Intellect, often contrasted with obtuseness in philosophical discussions.