Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'oily'

English Word: oily

Key Russian Translations:

• масляный /mɐˈslʲanɨj/ - [Formal, used for oil-based substances or materials]
• жирный /ˈʐɨrnɨj/ - [Informal, used for greasy or oily textures, especially in food or skin contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday language, particularly in descriptions of food, mechanics, or cosmetics)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective declensions, but basic forms are straightforward for learners at this level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

масляный: /mɐˈslʲanɨj/

жирный: /ˈʐɨrnɨj/

Note on жирный: The 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in "measure" in English, which can be challenging for beginners. Stress falls on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Containing or covered in oil (e.g., related to lubricants, paints, or substances)

Translation(s) & Context:

• масляный - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as describing oil-based products or machinery.

Usage Examples:

• Эта краска масляная и сохнет дольше, чем акриловая.

  This paint is oily and takes longer to dry than acrylic.

• Масляный фильтр в автомобиле нужно менять регулярно.

  The oily filter in the car needs to be changed regularly.

• В мастерской много масляных пятен на полу.

  There are many oily stains on the floor in the workshop.

• Масляный дождь сделал дороги скользкими.

  The oily rain made the roads slippery.

Meaning 2: Greasy or excessively oily in texture (e.g., food, skin, or surfaces)

Translation(s) & Context:

• жирный - Common in everyday informal speech, especially for describing food or personal care items.

Usage Examples:

• Эта пища слишком жирная, она оставляет неприятный налет на языке.

  This food is too oily; it leaves an unpleasant film on the tongue.

• У меня жирная кожа, поэтому я использую матирующий крем.

  I have oily skin, so I use a mattifying cream.

• Жирные волосы нужно мыть чаще, чтобы избежать жирного блеска.

  Oily hair needs to be washed more often to avoid a greasy shine.

• После жарки рыбы на сковороде всё стало жирным.

  After frying fish in the pan, everything became oily.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "масляный" and "жирный" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect according to gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern of agreement with the nouns they modify.

For "масляный" (a first-declension adjective):

For "жирный" (also first-declension):

These adjectives do not have irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • маслянистый (maslyanisty) - Similar to масляный, but more descriptive of a slick texture; often used in poetic or detailed contexts.
  • масленный (maslennyy) - A variant for oil-related items, with a slight connotation of richness.
  • жирноватый (zhirnovatyy) - A diminutive form of жирный, implying mildly oily without being excessive.
• Antonyms:
  • сухой (sukhoi) - Dry, opposite in texture.
  • безмасляный (bezmaslyanyy) - Oil-free, specifically countering масляный.

Related Phrases:

• Масляная краска - Oil paint; a common phrase in art and painting contexts.
• Жирная еда - Oily food; refers to greasy meals that might affect health.
• Масляный шприц - Oil syringe; used in mechanical or medical settings.
• Жирный блеск - Oily shine; often in beauty products for skin care.

Usage Notes:

"Oily" in English often corresponds to "масляный" for literal oil content and "жирный" for greasy sensations. Choose "масляный" in formal or technical scenarios, like engineering or art, as it directly implies oil presence. "Жирный" is more versatile for everyday use but carries a negative connotation in food contexts (e.g., implying unhealthiness). Be mindful of adjective agreement in Russian sentences; always match gender, number, and case with the noun. For example, if describing feminine nouns, use forms like "масляная".

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "масляный" interchangeably with "жирный" without context. For instance, saying "жирный краска" instead of "масляная краска" for oil paint. Correct: "Масляная краска" – Explanation: "Жирный" implies greasiness, not oil-based composition.
• Mistake: Forgetting adjective declension, e.g., saying "Я ем жирный еда" instead of "Я ем жирную еду". Correct: "Я ем жирную еду" – Explanation: "Еда" is feminine, so the adjective must agree.
• Mistake: Overusing "жирный" in formal writing, which can sound colloquial. Correct: Opt for "масляный" in professional contexts and explain the nuance.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "жирный" often appears in discussions about traditional cuisine, like fatty meats in dishes such as shashlik or pelmeni, which are staples in Russian meals. This reflects a historical adaptation to cold climates where high-fat foods provided energy, but modern health trends are shifting perceptions toward "масляный" products in eco-friendly contexts, such as organic oils.

Related Concepts:

• масло (maslo) - Oil or butter.
• жир (zhir) - Fat or grease.
• смазка (sмазka) - Lubricant.