Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'parsimonious'

English Word: parsimonious

Key Russian Translations:

• Скупой [ˈskupɐj] - [Formal; often used to describe extreme stinginess in financial matters]
• Экономный [ɪkɐˈnɔmnɨj] - [Informal; implies frugality but less harshly than "скупой"]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in everyday Russian conversations, literature, and media, but not as commonly as basic adjectives like "хороший".)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of nuanced adjectives and cultural connotations of stinginess. For "скупой", it's B2; for "экономный", it's B1 due to its more straightforward usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Скупой: [ˈskupɐj]

Экономный: [ɪkɐˈnɔmnɨj]

Note on Скупой: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'у' sound can be tricky for English speakers as it's a back vowel; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Extremely frugal or stingy, especially with money, often implying a negative connotation.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Скупой - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe someone who is excessively unwilling to spend, often evoking criticism.
• Экономный - Applied in informal settings for general frugality, such as in budgeting, without the strong negative undertone.

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда скупой, поэтому редко приглашает друзей в ресторан.

  He is always parsimonious, so he rarely invites friends to a restaurant.

• Её скупой подход к расходам помог семье пережить кризис.

  Her parsimonious approach to expenses helped the family survive the crisis.

• Мой дядя экономный, но не скупой; он просто предпочитает разумные покупки.

  My uncle is frugal but not parsimonious; he just prefers sensible purchases.

• Скупой человек редко делится своими богатствами с другими.

  A parsimonious person rarely shares their wealth with others.

• В экономном бюджете семьи нет места для роскоши, но это не значит, что они скупые.

  In a parsimonious family budget, there's no room for luxury, but that doesn't mean they are stingy.

Meaning 2: Sparing or restrained in the use of resources, not always negative.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Экономный - Common in everyday contexts for positive frugality, such as energy conservation.
• Скупой - Less common here, but could be used ironically in formal writing.

Usage Examples:

• Экономный расход топлива делает эту машину идеальной для дальних поездок.

  The parsimonious fuel consumption makes this car ideal for long trips.

• Его экономный стиль жизни включает переработку и минимализм.

  His parsimonious lifestyle includes recycling and minimalism.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Скупой" and "Экономный" are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard adjectival declension patterns.

Note: These follow regular first-declension patterns. If the adjective is used predicatively, it may not inflect as strictly.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Жадный (more intense, implying greed)
  • Сберегательный (neutral, focusing on saving)
• Antonyms:
  • Щедрый (generous, directly opposite in financial contexts)
  • Расходный (extravagant)

Related Phrases:

• Быть скупым - To be parsimonious; often used in personal finance discussions.
• Экономный образ жизни - A parsimonious lifestyle; refers to sustainable living practices.
• Скупой хозяин - A parsimonious host; implies someone who doesn't spend on guests, with a cultural undertone of criticism.

Usage Notes:

"Скупой" is the closest direct translation for the negative connotation of "parsimonious" and is preferred in formal or literary contexts, while "экономный" suits everyday, positive frugality. English speakers should note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify, which can affect sentence structure. Choose "скупой" for strong criticism and "экономный" for neutral efficiency. Be cautious with cultural nuances; in Russian, stinginess can imply social isolation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "скупой" interchangeably with "экономный" without considering connotation. For example, saying "Он экономный" when meaning extreme stinginess might sound too mild.

  Correct: "Он скупой" (He is parsimonious). Explanation: "Экономный" implies wise saving, not greed, so it dilutes the meaning.

• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "Скупой женщина" instead of "Скупая женщина".

  Correct: "Скупая женщина". Explanation: Adjectives in Russian must match the noun's gender (feminine here), or the sentence will be grammatically incorrect.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, being "скупой" (parsimonious) is often viewed negatively, linked to historical contexts like the Soviet era's scarcity, where hoarding was common. It can carry a moral judgment, suggesting selfishness, whereas "экономный" aligns with modern values of sustainability and prudence.

Related Concepts:

• Щедрый
• Богатый
• Расходный