Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ravenous'

English Word: ravenous

Key Russian Translations:

• голодный [ɡɐˈlodnɨj] - [Informal, commonly used for intense hunger in everyday contexts]
• неуемный [nʲɪˈu̯em.nɨj] - [Formal, often for insatiable desires or metaphorical hunger, such as for knowledge or power]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations appear in literature, conversations about food, and metaphorical contexts, but not as frequently as basic words like "hungry".)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; involves understanding nuances of adjectives and their inflections, which may vary by context. For "голодный", it's straightforward for beginners; for "неуемный", it requires more advanced vocabulary comprehension.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

голодный: [ɡɐˈlodnɨj]

Note on голодный: The stress falls on the second syllable ("lod"). This word is relatively easy to pronounce for English speakers, but be mindful of the rolled 'r' sound in some Russian accents.

Audio: []

неуемный: [nʲɪˈu̯em.nɨj]

Note on неуемный: The initial 'н' has a soft sound due to the following 'е', which can be challenging for English speakers. It's pronounced with a quick glide into the vowel.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Extremely hungry (Literal sense, referring to a strong, almost uncontrollable desire for food)

Translation(s) & Context:

• голодный - Used in casual, everyday situations to describe intense physical hunger, such as after exercise or fasting.
• неуемный - Applied in more formal or metaphorical contexts, like describing an insatiable appetite that extends beyond food.

Usage Examples:

• После долгой прогулки по лесу, я был так голоден, что съел весь ужин за минуты.

  After a long walk through the forest, I was so ravenous that I ate the entire dinner in minutes.

• Дети после школы всегда голодны и требуют еду немедленно.

  The children are always ravenous after school and demand food right away.

• Его неуемный аппетит к знаниям заставил его читать книги всю ночь.

  His ravenous appetite for knowledge made him read books all night.

• Во время поста люди становятся голодны, но учатся контролировать свои желания.

  During fasting, people become ravenous but learn to control their desires.

• Неуемный голод волка в сказках символизирует опасность и жадность.

  The ravenous hunger of the wolf in fairy tales symbolizes danger and greed.

2. Voracious or insatiable (Metaphorical sense, extending to desires beyond food, such as for power or experiences)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неуемный - Best for non-literal uses, in professional or literary contexts, such as describing ambition.
• голодный - Less common here, but can be used informally for emphasis, e.g., in emotional descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Его неуемный интерес к истории сделал его ведущим экспертом в этой области.

  His ravenous interest in history made him a leading expert in the field.

• Голодный на успех, он работал без перерыва, чтобы достичь своих целей.

  Ravenous for success, he worked tirelessly to achieve his goals.

• В мире бизнеса неуемный дух соревнования приводит к инновациям.

  In the business world, a ravenous spirit of competition leads to innovations.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are adjectives, so they inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. "Голодный" is a regular adjective, while "неуемный" follows standard patterns with no irregularities.

Note: These adjectives do not change for verbs but agree with nouns in gender, number, and case. They are invariable in terms of tense since they are not verbs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • жаждущий (zhazhdushchiy) - Similar to "неуемный", emphasizing eager desire; often used for thirst or craving.
  • алчный (alchnyj) - Implies greed, especially in metaphorical contexts like hunger for wealth.
• Antonyms:
  • сытый (sytij) - Means full or satisfied, directly opposite to physical hunger.
  • удовлетворенный (udovletvorennyj) - Means content or satiated, for metaphorical uses.

Related Phrases:

• Голодный как волк - Literally "hungry as a wolf"; used to describe extreme hunger in informal contexts. (English equivalent: "As hungry as a wolf")
• Неуемный аппетит - Means "insatiable appetite"; common in discussions of food or desires. (English equivalent: "Ravenous appetite")
• Голодный взгляд - Refers to a "hungry look" or intense, desiring stare. (English equivalent: "Ravenous gaze")

Usage Notes:

"Ravenous" translates most directly to "голодный" for literal hunger, but "неуемный" is better for metaphorical or intense desires, aligning with English nuances. In Russian, adjectives like these must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key grammatical difference from English. For formal writing, prefer "неуемный" to convey sophistication, while "голодный" suits casual speech. When choosing between translations, consider the context: if it's about physical hunger, "голодный" is more accurate; for broader applications, "неуемный" fits best.

Common Errors:

• English learners often misuse "голодный" by not inflecting it correctly, e.g., saying "голодный женщина" instead of "голодная женщина" (for feminine noun). Correct usage: Ensure agreement, as in "голодная женщина".
• Confusing "неуемный" with "голодный" in metaphorical contexts, leading to phrases like "неуемный еда" (incorrect) instead of "неуемный аппетит". Explanation: "Неуемный" describes the desire, not the object, so pair it appropriately, e.g., "неуемный интерес".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions like "голодный как волк" draw from folklore, where wolves symbolize survival instincts and rural hardships. This reflects historical contexts of scarcity in Russia, emphasizing resilience and the human drive to overcome hunger, both literal and figurative.

Related Concepts:

• аппетит (appetite)
• жажда (thirst)
• жадность (greed)