Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ruddy'

English Word: ruddy

Key Russian Translations:

• румяный /ruˈmʲanɨj/ - [Adjective, used for describing a healthy red color, especially for faces or cheeks; Informal to Neutral]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday descriptions of appearance, but not as frequent as basic color words like "red").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding Russian adjective inflections and contextual nuances; learners at this level can grasp it with practice).

Pronunciation (Russian):

румяный: /ruˈmʲanɨj/

Note on румяный: The stress is on the second syllable ("mʲan"). Be mindful of the palatalized 'm' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in different Russian dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Having a fresh, healthy red color, often referring to the face or cheeks.

Translation(s) & Context:

• румяный - Used in contexts describing physical appearance, such as health or exposure to cold; common in informal or literary descriptions (e.g., in novels or everyday conversation).

Usage Examples:

• У него румяные щёки после прогулки на свежем воздухе.

  He has ruddy cheeks after a walk in the fresh air.

• Зимой дети часто возвращаются домой с румяными лицами.

  In winter, children often come home with ruddy faces.

• Её румяные яблоки лежат в корзине, как будто только что с дерева.

  Her ruddy apples are in the basket, as if just picked from the tree.

• После тренировки у спортсмена румяный цвет кожи.

  After the workout, the athlete has a ruddy skin tone.

Meaning 2: (Less common) As a British slang intensifier, meaning 'damned' or 'bloody' (e.g., ruddy nuisance).

Translation(s) & Context:

• чёртов (chyorotov) - Used in informal or expressive contexts to add emphasis, similar to English slang; more vulgar and less direct than румяный (e.g., in frustrated speech).

Usage Examples:

• Это чёртово устройство снова сломалось!

  This ruddy device broke again!

• Он такой чёртов упрямый, не слушает никого.

  He's such a ruddy stubborn person, he doesn't listen to anyone.

• Чёртова погода испортила наш пикник.

  The ruddy weather ruined our picnic.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

румяный is an adjective in Russian, which means it inflects based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard first-declension adjective pattern with some irregularities in spelling. Below is a table of its basic inflections:

For чёртов (from Meaning 2), it is an adjective that inflects similarly but is often used in fixed expressions. It remains unchanged in some slang contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • розовый (rozovyy) - Pinkish red, often used for lighter shades; differs by implying a softer hue.
  • красный (krasnyy) - Red, more general and intense; applicable in broader contexts but less specific to health.
• Antonyms:
  • бледный (blednyy) - Pale, indicating lack of color or health.
  • серый (seryy) - Gray, suggesting dullness or lifelessness.

Related Phrases:

• румяные щёки - Ruddy cheeks; Used to describe a healthy, flushed appearance, often in contexts of exercise or cold weather.
• румяный цвет лица - Ruddy complexion; Common in health or beauty discussions.
• чёртовски трудно - Ruddy difficult; A slang phrase emphasizing extreme difficulty, equivalent to "bloody hard."

Usage Notes:

румяный directly corresponds to the primary meaning of "ruddy" in English, focusing on a healthy red tone, and is most effective in descriptive or narrative contexts. It is neutral to informal, so avoid it in very formal writing. For the slang meaning, use чёртов sparingly as it can be mildly vulgar. When choosing between translations, opt for румяный for physical descriptions and чёртов for emphasis. Remember, Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key grammatical difference from English.

Common Errors:

• Confusing румяный with красный: Learners often use красный (red) interchangeably, but it lacks the connotation of health. Correct: Use румяный for "ruddy cheeks"; Error: "Красные щёки" might imply unnatural redness. Explanation: румяный emphasizes vitality, while красный is more literal.
• Overusing чёртов in formal settings: Beginners might apply it like English "ruddy" in slang, but it's inappropriate in professional contexts. Correct: "Это трудно" (This is difficult); Error: "Это чёртово трудно" in a business meeting. Explanation: Stick to neutral alternatives to avoid offense.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, румяный often evokes images of health and vitality, as seen in folklore where characters with ruddy cheeks symbolize youth or resilience against harsh winters. This ties into traditional values of endurance, especially in rural or historical contexts, where a ruddy complexion might indicate hard work outdoors.

Related Concepts:

• здоровый (zdorovyy) - Healthy
• цвет лица (tsvet litsa) - Complexion
• розовый (rozovyy) - Pink