Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'rancid'

English Word: rancid

Key Russian Translations:

• протухший [prɐˈtuxʂɨj] - [Informal, commonly used for everyday contexts like food spoilage]
• испорченный [ɪsˈpɔrt͡ɕɪnnɨj] - [Formal, applicable in written or professional descriptions]
• гнилой [ˈɡnʲɪləj] - [Informal, often for more advanced decay, e.g., rotting vegetables]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear regularly in everyday conversations about food, but not as frequently as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Involves understanding adjective inflections; for 'протухший', it's straightforward, but 'испорченный' may require more practice with formal variations.

Pronunciation (Russian):

протухший: [prɐˈtuxʂɨj] (Note the stress on the second syllable; the 'ш' sound is a soft, retroflex fricative, which can be challenging for beginners.)

испорченный: [ɪsˈpɔrt͡ɕɪnnɨj] (Pay attention to the palatalized 'ч' sound, common in Russian adjectives.)

гнилой: [ˈɡnʲɪləj] (The initial 'г' is pronounced as a voiced velar fricative.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Describing something that has spoiled or become rotten, especially food or organic matter.

Translation(s) & Context:

• протухший - Used in informal, everyday contexts for quick-spoiling items like meat or eggs; common in spoken language.
• испорченный - Preferred in formal or written contexts, such as recipes or health warnings, to emphasize deterioration.
• гнилой - Applied to more severe decay, like rotting fruit, and often in metaphorical senses.

Usage Examples:

• Это мясо протухло, не ешьте его!

  This meat has gone rancid; don't eat it!

• Яицa в холодильнике испорченные, их нужно выбросить.

  The eggs in the fridge are rancid; they need to be thrown out.

• Фрукты в корзине гнилые из-за жары.

  The fruits in the basket are rancid because of the heat.

• Протухший запах в комнате указывает на проблему с продуктами.

  The rancid smell in the room points to a problem with the food.

• Испорченное молоко нельзя использовать в рецепте.

  Rancid milk can't be used in the recipe.

Meaning 2: Metaphorical use, indicating something corrupt or morally decayed (e.g., in literature or discussions).

Translation(s) & Context:

• гнилой - Often used metaphorically for ideas or societies, as in "гнилой режим" (a corrupt regime).
• протухший - Less common metaphorically, but can appear in informal speech for outdated ideas.

Usage Examples:

• Эта старая идея уже гнилая и не работает.

  This old idea is rancid and doesn't work anymore.

• Протухшие традиции общества нуждаются в реформе.

  Rancid traditions in society need reform.

• Испорченная политика приводит к кризису.

  Rancid politics lead to a crisis.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. 'Протухший' and 'испорченный' follow regular patterns, while 'гнилой' is also regular but can vary slightly in metaphorical use.

Note: These adjectives do not change in invariable contexts like predicates, e.g., "Мясо протухло" (The meat is rancid).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: испорченный (similar but more formal), гнилой (for advanced decay), прогорклый (specifically for fats/oils)
• Antonyms: свежий (fresh, opposite for food), чистый (clean, for metaphorical use)

Related Phrases:

• протухшее молоко - Spoiled milk; used in contexts of food safety.
• гнилой запах - Rancid smell; common in descriptions of decay.
• испорченные продукты - Rancid products; refers to expired goods in shopping or health discussions.

Usage Notes:

'Rancid' corresponds most directly to 'протухший' in informal settings, but 'испорченный' is better for formal English-to-Russian translation due to its neutrality. Be mindful of context: food-related uses are straightforward, while metaphorical ones require cultural sensitivity. For grammar, ensure adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, e.g., 'протухшая еда' for feminine nouns. When choosing among translations, opt for 'гнилой' if emphasizing moral corruption.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'протухший' in formal writing, e.g., saying "протухший продукт" in a scientific report. Correct: Use 'испорченный продукт' for formality. Explanation: 'Протухший' sounds too casual and may imply a specific type of spoilage.
• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "протухший молоко" instead of "протухшее молоко" (for neuter noun). Correct: Always match gender and case. Explanation: This is a common beginner mistake that can make sentences grammatically incorrect.
• Error: Confusing with 'прогорклый', which is specific to oils. Correct: Use 'протухший' for general food. Explanation: Overgeneralization leads to imprecise language.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'протухший' often relate to practical issues like food preservation in harsh climates, such as long winters. This reflects historical challenges with storage, and metaphorical uses (e.g., in literature by authors like Chekhov) highlight societal decay, emphasizing the transient nature of life in Russian philosophy.

Related Concepts:

• свежий
• гниение
• испорченность