Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sexy'

English Word: sexy

Key Russian Translations:

• сексуальный /sɪk.su.əlʲ.nɨj/ - [Informal, commonly used in modern contexts to describe physical attractiveness]
• привлекательный /prʲɪv.lʲɪkʲ.ə.tʲɪlʲ.nɨj/ - [Semi-formal, broader connotation, often used when emphasizing general appeal rather than explicit sexuality]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear regularly in contemporary media, literature, and everyday conversation, but not as frequently as basic descriptors.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjectives and cultural nuances. For 'сексуальный', it's B2 due to its directness; for 'привлекательный', it might be B1 as it's more versatile.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сексуальный: /sɪk.su.əlʲ.nɨj/ (Note the stress on the third syllable; the 'лʲ' indicates a palatalized 'l', which can be challenging for non-native speakers.)

привлекательный: /prʲɪv.lʲɪkʲ.ə.tʲɪlʲ.nɨj/ (Emphasize the first syllable; palatalization in 'лʲ' and 'кʲ' adds a soft quality common in Russian adjectives.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Sexually attractive or appealing in a provocative way

Translation(s) & Context:

• 'сексуальный' - Used in informal or artistic contexts, such as describing fashion or media, but avoid in formal settings due to potential sensitivity.
• 'привлекательный' - Applied in everyday situations for a milder, less explicit form of attraction, e.g., in social or professional environments.

Usage Examples:

• Она выглядит сексуально в этом платье. (Ona vyglyadit seksual'no v etom plat'ye.)

  She looks sexy in that dress. (This example shows the adjective in a casual, descriptive context, highlighting physical appeal.)

• Этот фильм имеет сексуальный подтекст. (Etot fil'm imeet seksual'nyy podtekst.)

  This film has a sexy undertone. (Demonstrates usage in discussing media, where the word adds a layer of sensuality.)

• Его улыбка делает его привлекательным. (Yego ulibka delayet yego privlekatel'nym.)

  His smile makes him attractive. (Here, 'привлекательный' is used for a broader, less intense appeal, in interpersonal scenarios.)

• В этой рекламе модель выглядит сексуально уверенно. (V etoy reklame model' vyglyadit seksual'no uverенно.)

  In this ad, the model looks confidently sexy. (Illustrates combination with adverbs for nuanced expression.)

• Привлекательный дизайн привлекает внимание. (Privlekatel'nyy dizayn privlekayet vnimaniye.)

  The attractive design draws attention. (Shows 'привлекательный' in non-personal contexts, like marketing.)

Meaning 2: Generally appealing or exciting (less explicit)

Translation(s) & Context:

• 'привлекательный' - Preferred in contexts where 'sexy' implies excitement without sexual connotations, such as in business or aesthetics.

Usage Examples:

• Эта идея звучит привлекательно. (Eta ideya zvuchit privlekatel'no.)

  This idea sounds attractive. (Used metaphorically for concepts, not people.)

• Сексуальный дизайн интерьера может быть слишком смелым. (Seksual'nyy dizayn inter'yera mozhet byt' slishkom smelym.)

  A sexy interior design can be too bold. (Applies to creative fields, showing potential overtones.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'сексуальный' and 'привлекательный' are adjectives, which inflect for gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for most cases.

Note: These are regular adjectives, so they follow the standard pattern without irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • эротичный (erotichnyy) - More focused on eroticism, often in artistic contexts.
  • соблазнительный (soblaznitel'nyy) - Implies temptation, with a subtle seductive edge.
• Antonyms:
  • непривлекательный (neprivlekatel'nyy) - Unattractive, lacking appeal.
  • бесцветный (besцветnyy) - Colorless or dull, emphasizing lack of excitement.

Related Phrases:

• Сексуально привлекательный - Sexually attractive; used to describe someone with a magnetic presence. (Common in fashion and media discussions.)
• Привлекательный внешний вид - Attractive appearance; a neutral phrase for everyday compliments. (Often in social or professional settings.)
• Соблазнительный взгляд - Seductive glance; implies a flirtatious or provocative look. (From literature or romantic contexts.)

Usage Notes:

'Сексуальный' directly corresponds to 'sexy' in English but is more explicit and should be used cautiously in formal or conservative Russian contexts to avoid offense. 'Привлекательный' is a safer, broader alternative for general appeal. In Russian, adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, so always check agreement (e.g., 'сексуальный мужчина' for a man). When choosing between translations, opt for 'привлекательный' in professional scenarios and 'сексуальный' in creative or informal ones.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'сексуальный' interchangeably with 'привлекательный' without considering context. For example, saying "сексуальный собеседник" (sexy conversation partner) in a business meeting might sound inappropriate.
  Correct: Use 'привлекательный собеседник' instead. Explanation: Russian culture often values subtlety, so misapplying 'сексуальный' can lead to misunderstandings.
• Mistake: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "сексуальный женщина" instead of "сексуальная женщина".
  Correct: Always match gender and case, as in "сексуальная женщина". Explanation: This is a common grammatical error for English speakers due to English's lack of agreement rules.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'сексуальный' can carry strong connotations tied to historical attitudes toward sexuality, influenced by Soviet-era conservatism. Today, it's more openly used in urban, modern contexts, but rural or traditional settings may view it as taboo. Understanding this helps English speakers navigate social nuances when learning Russian.

Related Concepts:

• любовь (lyubov') - Love
• привлекательность (privlekatel'nost') - Attractiveness
• эротика (erotika) - Erotica