Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'scraggly'

English Word: scraggly

Key Russian Translations:

• Растрепанный [rəstrʲɪˈpanːɨj] - [Informal, often used for untidy hair or appearance]
• Лохматый [ləxˈmatɨj] - [Informal, specifically for unkempt or shaggy hair or fur]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in descriptive contexts like literature or everyday conversation, but not in formal writing)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions and contextual usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Растрепанный: [rəstrʲɪˈpanːɨj]

Note on Растрепанный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("pan"), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to Russian's mobile stress patterns. Pronounce the "р" as a rolled or uvular sound.

Лохматый: [ləxˈmatɨj]

Note on Лохматый: The "х" is pronounced as a guttural "kh" sound, similar to the Scottish "loch." Stress is on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Describing an untidy, ragged, or sparse appearance, often applied to hair, plants, or growth.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Растрепанный - Used in informal contexts to describe something disheveled or messy, such as hair after wind or neglect.
• Лохматый - Applied specifically to shaggy or unkempt hair/fur, common in casual descriptions of animals or people.

Usage Examples:

• Его волосы были растрепанными после прогулки под дождем.

  His hair was scraggly after walking in the rain. (Shows usage in a everyday, descriptive context.)

• Сад выглядел лохматым и запущенным из-за отсутствия ухода.

  The garden looked scraggly and neglected due to lack of care. (Illustrates application to plants or landscapes.)

• Ребенок вернулся домой с растрепанными волосами после игры на улице.

  The child came home with scraggly hair after playing outside. (Demonstrates informal, familial context.)

• Лохматый пес бродил по улицам, ища еду.

  The scraggly dog wandered the streets, looking for food. (Applies to animals, highlighting unkempt appearance.)

• Ветер сделал ее прическу растрепанной, и она поспешила ее поправить.

  The wind made her hair scraggly, and she hurried to fix it. (Shows dynamic usage in narrative.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Растрепанный" and "Лохматый" are Russian adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard first-declension patterns (with some irregularities). Below is a table for each:

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular forms but must agree with the noun in all aspects. If the noun is in a different case, the adjective changes accordingly.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Неряшливый (neryshlivyy) - Slightly more negative connotation, implying sloppiness.
  • Неопрятный (neopryatnyy) - Used for general untidiness, often in formal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • Аккуратный (akkuratnyy) - Neat and tidy.
  • Опрятный (opryatnyy) - Well-groomed and orderly.

Related Phrases:

• Растрепанные волосы - Scraggly hair (Used to describe unkempt personal appearance in casual conversation).
• Лохматый зверь - Scraggly animal (Common in stories or observations about wild or neglected creatures).
• Запущенный сад - A neglected, scraggly garden (Implies overgrowth and lack of maintenance).

Usage Notes:

"Scraggly" often translates to "Растрепанный" or "Лохматый" based on context: use "Растрепанный" for wind-blown or messy appearances, and "Лохматый" for inherently shaggy ones like animal fur. Be mindful of gender agreement in Russian sentences, as adjectives must match the noun's gender, number, and case. In formal writing, opt for "Неопрятный" instead. English speakers might confuse this with temporary states versus permanent traits, so clarify based on context.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the adjective without proper agreement, e.g., saying "Растрепанный женщина" instead of "Растрепанная женщина" (for feminine noun).

  Correct: "Растрепанная женщина" - Ensure the adjective ends in "-ая" for feminine nouns. Explanation: Russian requires full agreement, which English lacks, leading to this mistake.

• Error: Overusing in formal contexts, e.g., translating "scraggly beard" as "Лохматый борода" without case adjustment.

  Correct: "Лохматая борода" (if accusative or adjusted case). Explanation: Beginners often forget declension, making sentences grammatically incorrect.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "Растрепанный" or "Лохматый" often appear in literature (e.g., in works by Chekhov) to evoke images of rural or chaotic life, symbolizing neglect or freedom from urban constraints. They can carry a humorous or affectionate tone in everyday speech, unlike in English where "scraggly" might sound purely negative.

Related Concepts:

• Неряшливый
• Запущенный
• Кудрявый (for curly, but related in appearance descriptions)