Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'seamy'

English Word: seamy

Key Russian Translations:

• Грязный [ɡrʲɪˈzanɨj] - [Informal, often used for literal or metaphorical dirtiness]
• Неприглядный [nʲɪprʲɪˈɡlʲadnɨj] - [Formal, emphasizing unappealing or unsavory aspects]

Frequency: Medium - The word 'seamy' and its translations appear in descriptive literature, journalism, and everyday conversations about societal issues, but not as commonly as basic adjectives.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level can grasp the metaphorical use, though distinguishing between literal and figurative meanings may require practice. For 'Грязный', it's B1; for 'Неприглядный', it's B2 due to its more nuanced connotations.

Pronunciation (Russian):

Грязный: [ɡrʲɪˈzanɨj]

Неприглядный: [nʲɪprʲɪˈɡlʲadnɨj]

Note on Грязный: The stress is on the second syllable; be mindful of the palatalized 'r' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations in fast speech may soften the 'г' to a fricative.

Note on Неприглядный: Pronounce with a clear 'л' sound; the word is often stressed on the third syllable, and it's less commonly used in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Referring to something dirty, squalid, or morally corrupt (e.g., the unpleasant, hidden side of life)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Грязный - Used in informal contexts to describe physical filth or metaphorical corruption, such as in discussions of urban poverty or unethical behavior.
• Неприглядный - Applied in formal or literary contexts to highlight something unattractive or unseemly, often in a more abstract sense.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: В фильме показано грязное подбрюшье большого города, где процветает преступность.

  English: The film shows the seamy underbelly of the big city, where crime thrives.

• Русский: Путешественники часто видят неприглядную сторону туризма, включая эксплуатацию местных жителей.

  English: Travelers often see the seamy side of tourism, including the exploitation of local residents.

• Русский: Его карьера раскрыла грязные секреты политического мира.

  English: His career exposed the seamy secrets of the political world.

• Русский: В повседневной жизни неприглядные аспекты общества часто остаются в тени.

  English: In everyday life, the seamy aspects of society often remain in the shadows.

• Русский: Грязный бизнес-мир полон интриг и обмана.

  English: The seamy business world is full of intrigue and deception.

Meaning 2: Describing something shabby or disreputable in appearance or quality

Translation(s) & Context:

• Грязный - Informal, for contexts involving physical appearance, like rundown neighborhoods.
• Неприглядный - Formal, for aesthetic or ethical judgments, such as in art or social commentary.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Этот район известен своими грязными улицами и заброшенными зданиями.

  English: This neighborhood is known for its seamy streets and abandoned buildings.

• Русский: Неприглядная правда о компании была раскрыта в расследовании.

  English: The seamy truth about the company was revealed in the investigation.

• Русский: Грязные детали скандала шокировали общественность.

  English: The seamy details of the scandal shocked the public.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'Грязный' and 'Неприглядный' are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern of agreement with nouns and can be short or long forms, though long forms are more common in modern usage.

For 'Грязный' (irregular in some senses due to its root):

For 'Неприглядный' (regular adjective):

Note: These adjectives do not change in short form but are less common. If the adjective is used predicatively, it may simplify.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Грязный - Similar to 'непристойный' (nepristoinyy), but 'грязный' is more visceral.
  • Неприглядный - Close to 'отталкивающий' (ottalkivayushchiy), often used in formal contexts for repulsion.
• Antonyms:
  • Чистый (chistyy) - Clean or pure.
  • Привлекательный (privlekatel'nyy) - Attractive or appealing.

Related Phrases:

• Грязная сторона жизни - Meaning: The seamy side of life; used to describe the unpleasant realities of existence.
• Неприглядные детали - Meaning: Seamy details; refers to unsavory or hidden aspects in a story or event.
• Грязный бизнес - Meaning: Seamy business; implies corrupt or unethical practices in commerce.

Usage Notes:

'Seamy' corresponds closely to 'грязный' in informal, everyday English-to-Russian translation, especially for metaphorical uses like 'seamy underbelly.' However, 'неприглядный' is preferred in formal writing or when emphasizing aesthetic unpleasantness. Be cautious with context: 'грязный' can be literal (e.g., dirty hands), so choose based on whether the English word is figurative. In Russian, these adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key grammatical difference from English.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'грязный' literally when 'seamy' is metaphorical, e.g., saying "Грязный город" to mean a morally corrupt city, but implying physical dirt. Correct: Use in context, e.g., "Грязная сторона города" for the seamy side. Explanation: Russian speakers might misinterpret as physical uncleanliness, so provide context.

• Error: Failing to inflect the adjective, e.g., saying "Грязный женщина" instead of "Грязная женщина." Correct: Always match gender and case, as in "Грязная женщина" for a female subject. Explanation: This is a common beginner mistake due to English's lack of agreement.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'грязный' often carry connotations of social realism, as seen in literature by authors like Dostoevsky, who depicted the seamy underbelly of 19th-century St. Petersburg. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on exploring human flaws and societal inequalities, making these terms common in discussions of social justice or historical critiques.

Related Concepts:

• Темный (temnyy) - Dark or shadowy.
• Подпольный (podpol'nyy) - Underground or clandestine.
• Нечистый (nechistyy) - Impure or unclean.