Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'piquant'

English Word: piquant

Key Russian Translations:

• пикантный /pʲɪˈkantnɨj/ - [Formal, Used in contexts involving food, humor, or stimulating experiences]

Frequency: Medium (Common in culinary descriptions and literary contexts, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; Requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions and borrowed words from French/English)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пикантный: /pʲɪˈkantnɨj/

Note on пикантный: The stress falls on the second syllable ('kan'). The 'пʲ' sound is a palatalized 'p', which can be tricky for English speakers; it's similar to the 'p' in "pew". Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Having a sharp, spicy, or stimulating flavor (e.g., in food)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пикантный - Used in formal or descriptive contexts for food that is flavorful and slightly spicy, often in culinary writing or reviews.

Usage Examples:

• Этот соус пикантный и идеально подходит для салата. (This sauce is piquant and perfect for a salad.)

  English: This sauce is piquant and perfect for a salad.

• Пикантный вкус перца добавляет блюду особый шарм. (The piquant taste of pepper adds a special charm to the dish.)

  English: The piquant taste of pepper adds a special charm to the dish.

• В ресторане подают пикантные закуски, которые радуют гурманов. (The restaurant serves piquant appetizers that delight gourmets.)

  English: The restaurant serves piquant appetizers that delight gourmets.

• Её рецепт включает пикантные специи, делающие еду незабываемой. (Her recipe includes piquant spices that make the food unforgettable.)

  English: Her recipe includes piquant spices that make the food unforgettable.

• Пикантный аромат сыра манит посетителей в кафе. (The piquant aroma of cheese attracts visitors to the cafe.)

  English: The piquant aroma of cheese attracts visitors to the cafe.

Meaning 2: Interesting, lively, or provocative (e.g., in non-food contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пикантный - Used metaphorically for situations or stories that are intriguing or mildly scandalous, often in informal or literary settings.

Usage Examples:

• Её история звучит пикантно, но с долей правды. (Her story sounds piquant, but with a grain of truth.)

  English: Her story sounds piquant, but with a grain of truth.

• Пикантные детали романа делают его захватывающим. (The piquant details of the novel make it captivating.)

  English: The piquant details of the novel make it captivating.

• В разговоре он добавил пикантный анекдот, чтобы разрядить атмосферу. (In the conversation, he added a piquant anecdote to lighten the atmosphere.)

  English: In the conversation, he added a piquant anecdote to lighten the atmosphere.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Пикантный is an adjective and follows the standard pattern for first-declension adjectives in Russian, which means it changes based on gender, number, and case. It is a borrowed word and does not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Острый (ostryy) - More literal for spicy, with a sharper edge; used interchangeably in food contexts.
  • Ароматный (aromantnyy) - Emphasizes fragrance over spiciness; suitable for milder flavors.
• Antonyms:
  • Пресный (presnyy) - Bland or tasteless, opposite in culinary contexts.
  • Скучный (skuchnyy) - Boring, for non-food metaphorical uses.

Related Phrases:

• Пикантный вкус - A piquant taste; Used in food descriptions to highlight flavor profiles.
• Пикантная история - A piquant story; Refers to an intriguing or spicy narrative in literature.
• Добавить пикантности - To add piquancy; Means to make something more interesting or flavorful in various contexts.

Usage Notes:

Пикантный is a borrowed word from French via English, often used in more sophisticated or written Russian rather than everyday speech. It directly corresponds to the English "piquant" but is more common in culinary contexts. Be mindful of gender and case agreements when using it as an adjective. For informal settings, native Russian speakers might prefer synonyms like "острый" for spice. When choosing between translations, use "пикантный" for nuanced, elegant descriptions to avoid sounding overly formal in casual conversations.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "пикантный" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Этот соус пикантный" in a genitive context where it should be "пикантного". Correct: Ensure agreement with nouns, as in "вкуса пикантного". Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's case, gender, and number, which English learners often overlook.

• Error: Confusing it with "пикант" (an incorrect form); some might shorten it incorrectly. Correct: Always use the full adjective form "пикантный". Explanation: Russian adjectives don't shorten like this; it can make your speech sound uneducated.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "пикантный" often appears in discussions of cuisine, reflecting the importance of flavorful dishes in traditions like those from the Caucasus region, where spicy foods are staples. It can also carry a subtle connotation of intrigue in literature, echoing Russia's rich history of storytelling in works by authors like Chekhov, where "piquant" elements add depth to narratives.

Related Concepts:

• Острый
• Ароматный
• Вкусовой