Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pliable'

English Word: pliable

Key Russian Translations:

• гибкий [ˈɡʲibkʲɪj] - [Common, often used for physical flexibility]
• податливый [pədɐˈtlʲivɨj] - [Formal, used for adaptability or influenceability]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly encountered in everyday Russian, especially in descriptive contexts, but not as frequent as basic adjectives.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can grasp basic uses, but understanding nuances and inflections requires familiarity with Russian adjective declensions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гибкий: [ˈɡʲibkʲɪj] (The stress is on the first syllable. Note that the 'г' is pronounced as a voiced velar fricative, similar to 'g' in 'go', but softer in Russian.)

Note on гибкий: Be cautious with the palatalized 'б' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers; it's softer and more forward in the mouth.

податливый: [pədɐˈtlʲivɨj] (Stress on the third syllable. The 'тлʲ' combination involves a palatalized 'т', which adds a soft 'y' sound.)

Note on податливый: This word has a more formal tone; pronunciation may vary slightly in rapid speech, potentially softening the vowels.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Easily bent, flexible, or supple (referring to physical properties)

Translation(s) & Context:

• гибкий - Used in contexts describing objects that can bend without breaking, such as materials or body parts.

Usage Examples:

• Этот материал очень гибкий и не ломается при сгибе. (This material is very pliable and doesn't break when bent.)

  English: This material is very pliable and doesn't break when bent.

• Йога помогает сделать тело более гибким. (Yoga helps make the body more pliable.)

  English: Yoga helps make the body more pliable.

• Гибкий провод идеален для сложных установок. (A pliable wire is ideal for complex installations.)

  English: A pliable wire is ideal for complex installations.

• Дерево становится гибким под действием пара. (Wood becomes pliable under the influence of steam.)

  English: Wood becomes pliable under the influence of steam.

Meaning 2: Easily influenced, adaptable, or compliant (referring to character or behavior)

Translation(s) & Context:

• податливый - Used in more formal or psychological contexts to describe someone who is easily swayed or adaptable.

Usage Examples:

• Податливый ребенок быстро адаптируется к новым правилам. (A pliable child quickly adapts to new rules.)

  English: A pliable child quickly adapts to new rules.

• В переговорах важно быть податливым, но не слабым. (In negotiations, it's important to be pliable but not weak.)

  English: In negotiations, it's important to be pliable but not weak.

• Ее податливый характер иногда приводит к проблемам. (Her pliable nature sometimes leads to problems.)

  English: Her pliable nature sometimes leads to problems.

• Податливый подход к изменениям помогает в бизнесе. (A pliable approach to changes helps in business.)

  English: A pliable approach to changes helps in business.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "гибкий" and "податливый" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for hard-stem adjectives.

For "гибкий" (a hard-stem adjective):

For "податливый" (also a hard-stem adjective, follows the same pattern as above):

Note: These adjectives do not change in comparative forms without additional suffixes, e.g., гибче (more pliable).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Эластичный (elastic, more specific to materials) - Often used interchangeably with гибкий in physical contexts.
  • Гнущийся (bending, informal variant for physical pliability).
• Antonyms:
  • Жесткий (rigid, opposite of flexible).
  • Неуступчивый (unyielding, opposite of adaptable).

Related Phrases:

• Быть гибким - To be flexible (e.g., in mindset or physically).
• Податливый материал - Pliable material (common in engineering contexts).
• Гибкий график - Flexible schedule (used in work or daily life; English explanation: Refers to adaptable timetables in professional settings).

Usage Notes:

"Pliable" in English often corresponds to "гибкий" for physical flexibility and "податливый" for psychological adaptability. Choose "гибкий" in everyday, informal contexts, while "податливый" is better for formal or literary uses. Be mindful of Russian adjective agreement with nouns in gender, number, and case to avoid grammatical errors. For example, if describing a feminine noun, use "гибкая".

• In sentences, "гибкий" can be used metaphorically, e.g., for ideas or plans, similar to English.
• Avoid overusing "податливый" in casual speech, as it may sound overly formal or outdated.

Common Errors:

One common mistake is failing to decline the adjective correctly, e.g., saying "гибкий книга" instead of "гибкая книга" for a feminine noun like "книга" (book). Correct usage: Use "гибкая книга" to agree in gender and case.

Another error: Confusing "гибкий" with "податливый" – learners might use "гибкий" for people when "податливый" is more appropriate for character traits. Example of error: "Он гибкий человек" (incorrect for adaptability); Correct: "Он податливый человек". Explanation: "Гибкий" implies physical flexibility, while "податливый" fits behavioral contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "гибкий" (flexible) often relate to resilience and adaptability in literature and proverbs, such as in stories where characters must bend without breaking, reflecting historical themes of endurance in Russian history.

Related Concepts:

• Эластичный
• Адаптивный
• Жесткий