Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sere'

English Word: sere

Key Russian Translations:

• сухой [suˈxoj] - [Adjective, used for describing dry or withered conditions, Formal/Informal]

Frequency: Low (Rarely used in modern English, but when translated, 'сухой' is common in Russian contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective inflections, but basic vocabulary is straightforward)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сухой: [suˈxoj]

Note on сухой: The 'х' sound is a voiceless velar fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish "loch" or German "Bach". Stress falls on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Dry or Withered (Adjective)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сухой - Used in contexts describing lack of moisture, such as weather, food, or plants; common in everyday and formal Russian (e.g., in scientific or literary descriptions).

Usage Examples:

• В пустыне воздух всегда сухой, что делает её непригодной для жизни.

  In the desert, the air is always dry, making it unsuitable for life.

• Эта трава уже сухая от жары, так что её нужно поливать.

  This grass is already dry from the heat, so it needs to be watered.

• Зимой кожа становится сухой из-за холодного ветра.

  In winter, the skin becomes dry due to the cold wind.

• Сухой климат в Сибири способствует сохранению древних артефактов.

  The dry climate in Siberia helps preserve ancient artifacts.

• После засухи все деревья выглядят сухими и безжизненными.

  After the drought, all the trees look dry and lifeless.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Сухой' is an adjective in Russian and follows the standard pattern for first-declension adjectives. It changes based on gender, number, and case. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This adjective has regular inflections, but be cautious with short forms in predicates (e.g., 'он сух' for 'he is dry').

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: засохший (zasokhshiy) - more specific to something that has withered; высохший (vysokhshiy) - dried out completely.
• Antonyms: влажный (vlaghnyy) - wet or moist; мокрый (mokryy) - used for something soaked.

Related Phrases:

• сухой климат - Dry climate; refers to arid regions, common in geographical discussions.
• сухой воздух - Dry air; often used in contexts like health or weather forecasts.
• сухой паёк - Dry ration; a fixed phrase for emergency food supplies, with cultural connotations in military or survival contexts.

Usage Notes:

'Сухой' directly corresponds to the English 'sere' in its archaic sense of "dry" or "withered," but it's more versatile in Russian for everyday use. It's neutral in register and can be used in both formal (e.g., scientific texts) and informal settings (e.g., casual conversation). When choosing between synonyms like 'засохший', opt for it if emphasizing a permanent state of dryness. Grammatically, always inflect according to the noun's gender, number, and case to avoid errors. For example, in phrases like "сухой хлеб" (dry bread), it agrees with the masculine noun.

Common Errors:

• English learners often forget to inflect 'сухой' properly, e.g., using the nominative form in all cases: Incorrect: "в сухой доме" (should be "в сухом доме" for prepositional case). Correct: в сухом доме – This error stems from treating Russian adjectives like English ones, which don't inflect.
• Confusing it with similar words: Incorrect: Using 'сухий' (a misspelling or confusion with Ukrainian); Correct: 'сухой' – Always double-check spelling, as Russian orthography is phonetic but case-sensitive.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'сухой' often appears in contexts related to the harsh Russian climate, such as in literature by authors like Tolstoy, where it symbolizes endurance in arid or winter conditions. It can carry subtle connotations of resilience or desolation, reflecting Russia's vast steppes and historical hardships.

Related Concepts:

• засуха (zasukha) - drought
• влажность (vlaghnost') - humidity
• аридный (aridnyy) - arid