Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sleet'

English Word: sleet

Key Russian Translations:

• мокрый снег [ˈmokrɨj snʲek] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday weather descriptions]
• дождь со снегом [ˈdoʒdʲ sə ˈsnʲekəm] - [Formal, often in meteorological contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Appears regularly in weather-related discussions, especially in regions with cold climates, but not in casual non-weather conversations)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires basic knowledge of Russian weather vocabulary and noun-adjective agreements, but no advanced grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мокрый снег: [ˈmokrɨj snʲek]

Note on мокрый снег: The stress falls on the first syllable of "мокрый" (MO-kryy), and the "ы" sound is a distinct back vowel. Pronounce "снег" with a soft "н" for a natural flow.

Audio: []

дождь со снегом: [ˈdoʒdʲ sə ˈsnʲekəm]

Note on дождь со снегом: The preposition "со" softens before "снегом," and the stress is on "до" in "дождь." This phrase is more formal, so articulation should be clear and deliberate.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Precipitation that is a mixture of rain and partially melted snow, often leading to slippery conditions.

Translation(s) & Context:

• мокрый снег - Used in informal, everyday contexts, such as casual conversations about weather.
• дождь со снегом - Preferred in formal settings, like news reports or scientific descriptions of weather phenomena.

Usage Examples:

• Сегодня на улице идет мокрый снег, и дороги становятся скользкими.

  Today, sleet is falling outside, and the roads are becoming slippery.

• Вчерашний дождь со снегом привел к отмене занятий в школе.

  Yesterday's sleet led to the cancellation of school classes.

• Когда падает мокрый снег, всегда нужно надевать непромокаемую одежду.

  When sleet is falling, it's always necessary to wear waterproof clothing.

• Метеорологи предсказывают дождь со снегом в ближайшие часы.

  Meteorologists are predicting sleet in the next few hours.

• Весной мокрый снег тает быстро, превращаясь в лужи на улицах.

  In spring, sleet melts quickly, turning into puddles on the streets.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"мокрый снег" is a noun phrase where "мокрый" is an adjective and "снег" is a masculine noun. Adjectives in Russian agree with nouns in gender, number, and case. "Снег" follows the standard third-declension pattern for masculine nouns.

For "мокрый" (adjective): It changes based on case and number. Example inflections:

For "дождь со снегом," the phrase is less inflected as a whole, but "снегом" can inflect based on context (e.g., "снегом" in instrumental case). This phrase is relatively fixed and doesn't change irregularly.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: ледяной дождь (icy rain, implying similar hazardous conditions), мокрый снегопад (wet snowfall, for heavier occurrences)
• Antonyms: солнечная погода (sunny weather, contrasting with wet, cold conditions)

Related Phrases:

• Мокрый снег на дорогах - Refers to sleet on roads, often leading to accidents; used in safety warnings.
• Дождь со снегом зимой - Describes sleet during winter, highlighting seasonal weather patterns.
• Ледяной дождь со снегом - A phrase for mixed sleet and freezing rain, common in extreme weather reports.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "мокрый снег" is the most straightforward and idiomatic translation for "sleet" in informal contexts, while "дождь со снегом" is better for formal or technical discussions. Choose based on the setting: informal for daily talk, formal for reports. Note that Russian weather vocabulary often emphasizes the impact on daily life, such as road safety. Grammatically, ensure adjectives agree with nouns in case, as shown in the inflections section. English speakers should avoid direct word-for-word translations; for example, don't use "снег" alone, as it means pure snow.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "снег" alone to mean "sleet," which implies pure snow without rain. Correct: Use "мокрый снег" to specify the mixture. Example of error: "Идет снег" (meaning "It's snowing," not sleet). Correct example: "Идет мокрый снег" – This captures the rain-snow mix and avoids confusion.

• Error: Forgetting adjective-noun agreement, e.g., saying "мокрый снега" in genitive case. Correct: "мокрого снега." This is common for beginners due to English's lack of cases.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, sleet is a frequent winter phenomenon, especially in northern regions, and is often associated with hazardous driving conditions. It symbolizes the challenging Russian climate in literature and media, evoking themes of resilience and preparation, as seen in works like those of Tolstoy where weather reflects emotional states.

Related Concepts:

• снег (snow)
• дождь (rain)
• гололёд (black ice)