Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'prissy'

English Word: prissy

Key Russian Translations:

• привередливый [prʲɪvʲɪˈrʲedlʲɪvɨj] - [Informal, often used in everyday contexts to describe someone overly fussy]

Frequency: Medium (Common in conversational Russian but not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives like "хороший").

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective declensions and nuanced vocabulary, suitable for learners with some experience).

Pronunciation (Russian):

привередливый: [prʲɪvʲɪˈrʲedlʲɪvɨj]

Note on привередливый: The stress falls on the third syllable ("rʲed"), and the "ы" sound can be challenging for English speakers, similar to a high, back vowel. Be mindful of soft consonants like "вʲ" and "рʲ".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Excessively prim, proper, or fussy, often implying a negative connotation of being overly meticulous or affected.

Translation(s) & Context:

• привередливый - Used in informal settings to describe someone who is picky about details, such as in personal habits or preferences (e.g., in daily conversations about behavior).

Usage Examples:

• Он такой привередливый в еде; он не ест ничего, кроме органических продуктов.

  He is so prissy about food; he won't eat anything except organic products.

• Её привередливый характер раздражает всех в офисе; она всегда находит мелкие недостатки.

  Her prissy nature annoys everyone in the office; she always finds minor flaws.

• Не будь таким привередливым с одеждой – иногда простота лучше.

  Don't be so prissy with clothes – sometimes simplicity is better.

• Привередливый гость отказался от ужина, потому что суп был недостаточно горячим.

  The prissy guest refused dinner because the soup wasn't hot enough.

• В детстве она была очень привередливой, но со временем стала проще в отношениях.

  As a child, she was very prissy, but over time, she became easier in relationships.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Привередливый is an adjective in Russian, which means it changes based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard pattern for adjectives ending in -ый. Here is a basic inflection table:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward once the basic patterns are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • придирчивый (more critical, often used in formal contexts like criticism or evaluation)
  • требовательный (demanding, with a connotation of high standards)
• Antonyms:
  • неприхотливый (unfussy, easygoing)
  • простой (simple, straightforward)

Related Phrases:

• Быть привередливым – To be prissy (used to describe habitual behavior; e.g., in discussions about personality traits).
• Привередливый вкус – Prissy taste (refers to overly refined or picky preferences, especially in food or art).
• Привередливая натура – Prissy nature (a fixed phrase for describing inherent fussiness in someone).

Usage Notes:

Привередливый is a direct equivalent to "prissy" in English, but it's more commonly used in informal Russian speech to convey mild annoyance. It's important to note the gender agreement when using it as an adjective. For example, choose between привередливый (for masculine nouns) or привередливая (for feminine). When selecting among translations like привередливый vs. придирчивый, opt for привередливый if the context emphasizes personal fussiness rather than professional criticism. Avoid overusing it in formal writing, as it can sound colloquial.

Common Errors:

• Error: Failing to decline the adjective correctly, e.g., using "привередливый" with a feminine noun like "девушка" without changing to "привередливая".

  Correct: Она привередливая девушка. (She is a prissy girl.)
  Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify.

• Error: Confusing it with synonyms, e.g., using "придирчивый" when "prissy" implies more personal quirkiness than strict criticism.

  Correct: Use привередливый for everyday fussy behavior.
  Explanation: Придирчивый might imply a more judgmental tone, which doesn't always align with "prissy".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, being described as привередливый can sometimes reflect a broader societal value of practicality and modesty. For instance, in literature like Chekhov's works, such characters are often portrayed as out of touch with the simplicity of rural or working-class life, highlighting a cultural preference for straightforwardness over affectation.

Related Concepts:

• придирка (nitpicking)
• требовательность (demand)
• капризность (capriciousness)