Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'peaky'

English Word: peaky

Key Russian Translations:

• бледный [ˈblʲɛdnɨj] - [Informal, Adjective]
• измученный [ˌɪzmuˈt͡ɕenːɨj] - [Formal, Adjective, Used in descriptive contexts]
• слабый [ˈslabɨj] - [Informal, Plural forms possible]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversations about health and appearance)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves basic adjective forms; for измученный, it may reach B2 due to more complex connotations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

бледный: [ˈblʲɛdnɨj]

Note on бледный: The stress is on the first syllable; the 'л' is palatalized, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft 'l' sound as in 'luxury'.

Audio: Play audio for бледный

измученный: [ˌɪzmuˈt͡ɕenːɨj]

Note on измученный: The 'ч' is a voiceless palatal fricative; it may vary slightly in fast speech. Focus on the emphasis on the third syllable.

Audio: Play audio for измученный

слабый: [ˈslabɨj]

Note on слабый: This word has a clear 'ы' sound, which is unique to Russian and often mistaken for 'i' by English learners.

Audio: Play audio for слабый

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Pale or unwell appearance (Referring to someone looking weak or sickly)

Translation(s) & Context:

• бледный - Used in informal settings to describe physical appearance, such as after illness or fatigue.
• измученный - Applied in more formal or literary contexts, emphasizing exhaustion or emotional strain.

Usage Examples:

• После долгой ночи он выглядел бледным и уставшим.

  After a long night, he looked peaky and tired.

• Дети в этой деревне часто бывают измученными из-за плохого питания.

  The children in this village often look peaky due to poor nutrition.

• Она вернулась с отпуска, но все еще слабой на вид.

  She returned from vacation but still appeared peaky.

• В холодную погоду многие люди становятся бледными и нуждаются в отдыхе.

  In cold weather, many people become peaky and need rest.

• Из-за стресса он был измученным, как будто не ел неделями.

  Due to stress, he looked peaky as if he hadn't eaten for weeks.

Meaning 2: Sharp or pointed (Less common, referring to physical features)

Translation(s) & Context:

• острый - Used metaphorically or literally for sharp objects, but can extend to describe a 'peaky' shape.

Usage Examples:

• Горы здесь имеют острые, peaky вершины.

  The mountains here have sharp, peaky peaks.

• Ее peaky нос делал ее лицо запоминающимся.

  Her peaky nose made her face memorable. (In Russian: Ее острый нос делал ее лицо запоминающимся.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Below is a table for the primary forms:

For измученный: This follows a similar pattern as a past passive participle, with irregular inflections in some cases. It is invariable in short form (e.g., измучен).

For слабый: Regular adjective inflection; it does not change in predicative use.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • усталый (ustalyj) - Similar to измученный, but more about physical tiredness.
  • бледноватый (blednovatyj) - A milder version of бледный.
• Antonyms:
  • цветущий (tsvetushchiy) - Blooming or healthy-looking.
  • сильный (sil'nyj) - Strong, opposite of слабый.

Related Phrases:

• Выглянуть бледным - To look peaky; used in casual health discussions.
• Быть измученным жизнью - To be worn out by life; implies deeper exhaustion.
• Слабый на ногах - Peakiness in terms of weakness; literal meaning: weak on one's feet.

Usage Notes:

бледный is the most direct equivalent to 'peaky' in informal contexts, especially for describing someone's complexion. Use измученный when emphasizing emotional or prolonged fatigue, as it carries a more dramatic connotation. Be mindful of gender agreement in Russian sentences; for example, pair бледный with masculine nouns. In formal writing, opt for измученный over бледный for nuance. English speakers often confuse this with literal paleness, so context is key—pair it with health-related phrases for accuracy.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using бледный without proper gender agreement, e.g., saying "Она бледный" instead of "Она бледная".

  Correct: Она бледная. Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify.

• Error: Overusing измученный in everyday speech, which sounds overly literary; English learners might say it when бледный suffices.

  Correct: Use бледный for simple descriptions. Explanation: измученный implies severe exhaustion, so reserve it for intense contexts to avoid exaggeration.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like бледный or измученный often appear in literature (e.g., in works by Dostoevsky) to depict the struggles of everyday life, reflecting historical hardships. This can evoke a sense of resilience or melancholy, differing from English usage where 'peaky' is more lighthearted or medical.

Related Concepts:

• усталость (ustalost') - Fatigue
• болезнь (bolezn') - Illness
• цвет лица (tsvet litsa) - Complexion