Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pliant'

English Word: pliant

Key Russian Translations:

• Гибкий [ˈɡʲɪbkʲɪj] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday contexts]
• Послушный [pɐˈsluʂnɨj] - [Formal, often in educational or behavioral contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in standard Russian texts but not as frequently as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections and contextual usage, suitable for learners with basic grammar knowledge. For 'Гибкий', it's B1; for 'Послушный', it's also B1.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Гибкий: [ˈɡʲɪbkʲɪj]

Note on Гибкий: The initial 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like a soft 'g'. Stress is on the first syllable.

Послушный: [pɐˈsluʂnɨj]

Note on Послушный: The 'щ' sound is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to 'sh' in 'she' but softer; stress falls on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Flexible or easily bent (physical sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Гибкий - Used in contexts describing materials or objects that can bend without breaking, such as in engineering or daily life.

Usage Examples:

• Эта проволока очень гибкая и не ломается при сгибании.

  This wire is very pliant and doesn't break when bent.

• Гибкий пластик идеален для изготовления игрушек.

  Pliant plastic is ideal for making toys.

• В экстремальных условиях гибкий материал сохраняет свою форму.

  In extreme conditions, the pliant material retains its shape.

• Гибкий ствол дерева выдерживает сильный ветер.

  The pliant trunk of the tree withstands strong wind.

Meaning 2: Easily influenced or adaptable (metaphorical sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Послушный - Applied to people or ideas that are compliant or responsive, often in formal or educational settings.
• Гибкий - Used metaphorically for adaptable personalities or strategies.

Usage Examples:

• Его характер слишком послушный, и он легко поддается влиянию других.

  His character is too pliant, and he easily succumbs to the influence of others.

• В бизнесе гибкий подход помогает адаптироваться к изменениям рынка.

  A pliant approach in business helps adapt to market changes.

• Послушный ребенок быстро учится новым правилам.

  A pliant child quickly learns new rules.

• Гибкий ум позволяет быстро переключаться между задачами.

  A pliant mind allows for quick switching between tasks.

• Она имеет послушный стиль общения, что облегчает переговоры.

  She has a pliant communication style, which facilitates negotiations.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'Гибкий' and 'Послушный' are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for most cases.

For 'Гибкий' (gibkiy):

For 'Послушный' (poslushnyy):

These are regular adjective inflections; no irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Гибкий: Упругий (uprugiy) - Slightly more emphasis on resilience.
  • Послушный: Докладный (dokladnyy) - Used in formal contexts for obedience.
• Antonyms:
  • Гибкий: Жесткий (zhestkiy) - Rigid or inflexible.
  • Послушный: Непокорный (nepokornyy) - Rebellious or defiant.

Related Phrases:

• Гибкий график - A flexible schedule; commonly used in work or education contexts.
• Послушный ребенок - An obedient child; refers to well-behaved individuals in family settings.
• Быть гибким в решениях - To be pliant in decisions; implies adaptability in problem-solving.

Usage Notes:

'Гибкий' directly corresponds to the physical sense of 'pliant' and is preferred in literal contexts, while 'Послушный' aligns more with the metaphorical sense of being easily influenced. In Russian, always ensure adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify. For formal writing, 'Послушный' might be more appropriate than 'Гибкий' for behavioral traits. Choose based on context: use 'Гибкий' for material flexibility and 'Послушный' for interpersonal dynamics.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'Гибкий' in a metaphorical sense without proper context, e.g., saying "Гибкий человек" to mean obedient, which might confuse listeners as it primarily means physically flexible.

  Correct: Use 'Послушный человек' instead. Explanation: Russian adjectives have specific connotations, so mismatched usage can lead to misunderstandings.

• Error: Forgetting to inflect the adjective, e.g., saying "Гибкий женщина" instead of "Гибкая женщина".

  Correct: Always match gender, e.g., "Гибкая женщина". Explanation: This is a common grammar mistake for English speakers unfamiliar with Russian agreement rules.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'Послушный' often carry connotations from historical contexts, such as Soviet-era emphasis on obedience in education and society. 'Гибкий' might relate to resilience in harsh climates, symbolizing adaptability in Russian literature and folklore.

Related Concepts:

• Устойчивый (ustoychivyy) - Stable or resistant.
• Адаптивный (adaptivnyy) - Adaptive.
• Жесткий (zhestkiy) - Rigid, as an antonym extension.