Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'puny'

English Word: puny

Key Russian Translations:

• хилый [xʲiˈlɨj] - [Informal, often used in everyday speech]
• слабый [ˈslabɨj] - [Formal, more neutral and widely applicable]

Frequency: Medium (Common in descriptive contexts but not as frequent as basic adjectives like "big" or "small")

Difficulty: B1 Intermediate (Requires understanding of Russian adjectives and basic inflections; "хилый" may be slightly more challenging due to its informal connotation, while "слабый" is straightforward)

Pronunciation (Russian):

хилый: [xʲiˈlɨj]

Note on хилый: The initial 'х' is a voiceless velar fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish "loch"; stress is on the second syllable, and the 'ы' sound is a centralized vowel unique to Russian.

слабый: [ˈslabɨj]

Note on слабый: Stress is on the first syllable; the 'ы' sound can be tricky for beginners, as it's not found in English.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Physically weak, underdeveloped, or insignificant in size or strength

Translation(s) & Context:

• хилый - Used in informal, conversational settings to describe someone or something as frail or puny, often with a hint of pity or humor.
• слабый - Applied in more formal or neutral contexts, such as medical descriptions or general observations, to indicate weakness without emotional undertones.

Usage Examples:

• Он такой хилый, что даже легкий рюкзак кажется ему тяжелым.

  He is so puny that even a light backpack seems heavy to him.

• Эта хилая собака не сможет защитить дом от воров.

  This puny dog won't be able to protect the house from thieves.

• Слабый ребенок нуждается в дополнительном уходе, чтобы набрать силы.

  The puny child needs extra care to gain strength.

• В горах мы встретили хилого путника, который едва передвигался.

  In the mountains, we met a puny traveler who could barely move.

• Его слабый голос не смог перекричать шум толпы.

  His puny voice couldn't overcome the noise of the crowd.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "хилый" and "слабый" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for most cases, but they can be irregular in certain forms. Below is a table outlining the inflections for each:

Note: These adjectives are regular in their inflections, following the first declension pattern. They do not change in short form usage (e.g., "он хил" meaning "he is puny"), which is less common in modern Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • тощий (toshyy) [skinny, often emphasizing thinness more than weakness]
  • несильный (nesil'nyy) [not strong, a milder alternative]
• Antonyms:
  • сильный (sil'nyy) [strong]
  • крепкий (krepkiy) [sturdy, robust]

Related Phrases:

• хилый человек - A puny person (Used to describe someone physically weak in informal stories or jokes).
• слабый как котенок - As puny as a kitten (A simile emphasizing extreme weakness in everyday expressions).
• выглядеть хилым - To look puny (Common in descriptions of appearance, e.g., in fitness contexts).

Usage Notes:

"Puny" translates to Russian as "хилый" for informal, emotive contexts or "слабый" for more neutral ones. Choose "хилый" when you want to convey a sense of pity or informality, as in casual conversations, but opt for "слабый" in formal writing or professional settings like health reports. Be mindful of gender and case agreements in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match the noun they describe. For example, if referring to a female subject, use "хилая" instead of "хилый." This word pair doesn't have direct idiomatic equivalents in English, so focus on context to avoid overgeneralization.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "хилый" in formal contexts, which can sound unprofessional or mocking. Correct: In a medical report, say "слабый пациент" instead of "хилый пациент" to maintain neutrality. Explanation: "Хилый" carries a informal, derogatory undertone that might offend in serious situations.

• Error: Forgetting to inflect the adjective, e.g., saying "хилый женщина" instead of "хилая женщина." Correct: Always adjust for gender and case, as in "хилая женщина" (puny woman). Explanation: Russian grammar requires agreement, and neglecting this makes the sentence grammatically incorrect.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "хилый" often appear in literature or folklore to describe underdogs or characters in humorous anecdotes, reflecting a societal appreciation for resilience despite physical weakness. For instance, in Russian fairy tales, a "хилый" hero might overcome odds, symbolizing that inner strength matters more than appearance.

Related Concepts:

• сильный
• крепкий
• тощий