Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sexual'

English Word: sexual

Key Russian Translations:

• сексуальный [sʲɪkˈsu.əl.nɨj] - [Formal, Adjective; Used in general contexts relating to sex or sexuality]
• половой [pɐˈɫovəj] - [Formal, Adjective; Often used in biological or medical contexts, e.g., reproductive aspects]

Frequency: Medium (Common in academic, medical, and modern discussions, but less frequent in everyday informal speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Involves understanding of loanwords and adjective inflections. For 'сексуальный', it's B2; for 'половой', it's A2 due to its more basic usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сексуальный: [sʲɪkˈsu.əl.nɨj] (The stress is on the third syllable; note the palatalized 'с' sound, which can be challenging for beginners)

половой: [pɐˈɫovəj] (Stress on the second syllable; the 'о' is pronounced as a short 'a' sound)

Note on сексуальный: Be cautious with the soft sign (ь) in 'сексуальный', which affects pronunciation; it's a common point of error for English speakers due to similar-sounding English words.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Relating to sex or sexual activity (e.g., in a biological or psychological context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сексуальный - Used in formal or educational settings to describe anything pertaining to sexuality, such as orientation or behavior.
• половой - Applied in scientific or medical contexts, emphasizing biological reproduction rather than emotional aspects.

Usage Examples:

• В подростковом возрасте многие люди начинают осознавать свою сексуальную идентичность.

  In adolescence, many people begin to realize their sexual identity.

• Сексуальные отношения должны быть основаны на взаимном согласии.

  Sexual relationships should be based on mutual consent.

• Половые гормоны играют ключевую роль в развитии организма.

  Sex hormones play a key role in the development of the body.

• Сексуальный туризм стал проблемой в некоторых странах.

  Sexual tourism has become a problem in some countries.

Meaning 2: Pertaining to attraction or desires (e.g., in social or emotional contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сексуальный - Common in discussions of attraction, often in media or psychology, implying emotional or physical desire.

Usage Examples:

• Эта книга исследует сексуальные влечения в разных культурах.

  This book explores sexual attractions in different cultures.

• Сексуальный контент в фильмах часто подвергается цензуре.

  Sexual content in films is often censored.

• Половые различия влияют на поведение в обществе.

  Sexual differences influence behavior in society.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'сексуальный' and 'половой' are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow patterns of agreement with nouns.

Note: These adjectives are regular in their inflections, following standard first-declension patterns. They do not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • эротический [eroticheskiy] - More focused on sensual or artistic aspects, often less clinical than 'сексуальный'.
  • интимный [intimnyy] - Emphasizes privacy and closeness, suitable for personal relationships.
• Antonyms:
  • бесполый [bespoliy] - Meaning asexual or lacking sexual characteristics.
  • непристойный [nepristoynyy] - Ironically, can imply the opposite in some contexts, but generally means indecent.

Related Phrases:

• Сексуальное влечение - Sexual attraction; Used in psychological discussions to describe desires.
• Половые роли - Gender roles; Refers to societal expectations based on sex.
• Сексуальная ориентация - Sexual orientation; A common phrase in modern social contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'сексуальный' directly mirrors the English 'sexual' in most contexts but carries a more formal tone, often used in educational or medical settings. Avoid using it in casual conversation to prevent misunderstandings, as Russian culture may view such topics as sensitive. 'Половой' is preferred for biological discussions. When choosing between translations, consider the context: opt for 'сексуальный' for emotional or social aspects and 'половой' for scientific ones. Grammatically, always ensure adjective agreement with the noun's gender, number, and case.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'сексуальный' interchangeably with 'эротический' without considering nuance. Correct: 'Сексуальный' refers to general sexuality, while 'эротический' is more about sensuality. Example of error: *Сексуальный роман* (meaning a romance novel with sexual content) vs. Correct: Эротический роман for a more artistic take.

• Error: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., saying *сексуальный женщина* instead of *сексуальная женщина*. Correct: Always inflect, as in *сексуальная привлекательность* for 'sexual attractiveness'.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussions around 'sexual' topics like 'сексуальный' can be more reserved due to historical influences from Orthodox traditions and Soviet-era censorship. Words related to sexuality are often used carefully in public discourse to avoid offense, and they may carry connotations of taboo, especially in conservative regions.

Related Concepts:

• эмоциональный
• психологический
• гендерный