Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'skinflint'

English Word: skinflint

Key Russian Translations:

• скряга [ˈskrjaga] - [Informal, Colloquial]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday Russian conversations but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary; appears in literature, media, and informal speech).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and colloquial expressions, suitable for learners with basic grammar knowledge).

Pronunciation (Russian):

скряга: [ˈskrjaga]

Note on скряга: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'r' is a trilled sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations in pronunciation may occur in regional dialects, but [ˈskrjaga] is standard.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A person who is excessively stingy or miserly with money.

Translation(s) & Context:

• скряга - Used in informal contexts to describe someone who hoards money and avoids spending, often with a humorous or critical tone.

Usage Examples:

• Он такой скряга, что не тратит ни копейки на развлечения.

  He is such a skinflint that he doesn't spend a single penny on entertainment.

• Моя бабушка — настоящая скряга, она хранит все деньги в банке под матрасом.

  My grandmother is a real skinflint; she keeps all her money in a jar under the mattress.

• Не будь скрягой и разделись с друзьями на ужин.

  Don't be a skinflint and split the dinner bill with your friends.

• В этой семье скряга отец заставляет всех экономить на всем.

  In this family, the skinflint father makes everyone skimp on everything.

• Скряга в офисе никогда не покупает кофе для коллег.

  The skinflint in the office never buys coffee for his colleagues.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Скряга" is a masculine noun in the first declension group. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, changing based on case, number, and gender. As a common noun, it inflects for grammatical cases but does not have irregular forms.

Note: This noun does not change for gender inherently, but it is masculine by default. If used in contexts requiring agreement, adjectives and verbs will adjust accordingly.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • скупец [ˈskupʲɛts] - Similar to скряга but often implies more calculated stinginess; used in formal contexts.
  • жмот [ʐmot] - More vulgar and emphatic, emphasizing extreme miserliness in everyday speech.
• Antonyms:
  • щедрый [ˈʂʲedrɨj] - Generous person; highlights the opposite trait of openness with resources.
  • благотворитель [bləgətəˈtʲɛrʲ] - Philanthropist; used for someone who gives freely, often in a formal sense.

Related Phrases:

• Быть скрягой - To be a skinflint; used to describe habitual stinginess in personal finance.
• Скряга до мозга костей - Skinflint to the bone; emphasizes deep-seated miserly behavior, often in storytelling.
• Не будь скрягой - Don't be a skinflint; a common admonition in social situations to encourage generosity.

Usage Notes:

"Скряга" directly corresponds to "skinflint" in English, focusing on a person who is pathologically thrifty. It is typically used in informal or humorous contexts and carries a mildly negative connotation. Choose this translation for everyday conversations; for more formal writing, "скупец" might be preferable. Be mindful of Russian grammar: always decline the noun based on its role in the sentence (e.g., in genitive case for possession). This word is common in proverbs and anecdotes, reflecting cultural attitudes toward wealth.

Common Errors:

• Confusing it with "скупой" (stingy as an adjective): Learners might say "Он скупой" instead of "Он скряга" for emphasis on personality. Error: "Он скупой человек" (implies temporary trait); Correct: "Он скряга" (implies core characteristic). Explanation: "Скупой" is an adjective and needs to agree with the noun, while "скряга" is a noun for direct description.

• Forgetting declension: Non-native speakers often use the nominative form everywhere. Error: "Я видел скряга" (incorrect); Correct: "Я видел скрягу" (accusative case). Explanation: Always adjust for case to maintain grammatical accuracy in Russian sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "скряга" often appear in folklore and literature, such as in stories by Anton Chekhov, where miserly characters symbolize moral flaws. It reflects a historical emphasis on communal sharing in Russian society, where extreme stinginess is viewed as antisocial, contrasting with the ideal of hospitality and generosity.

Related Concepts:

• скупость (stinginess)
• богатство (wealth)
• бедность (poverty)
• жадность (greed)