Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'slimy'

English Word: slimy

Key Russian Translations:

• слизкий [slíz.kij] - [Informal, often used for literal slippery or slimy textures]
• коварный [ka.'var.nɨj] - [Formal, used in metaphorical contexts like deceitful or sly]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are moderately common in everyday Russian, especially in descriptive or narrative contexts, but not as frequent as basic adjectives like "хороший" (good).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "слизкий" - Suitable for learners with basic grammar knowledge; C1 (Advanced) for "коварный" due to its nuanced, metaphorical usage in literature or formal speech.

Pronunciation (Russian):

слизкий: [slíz.kij] - The stress is on the first syllable; the "з" is a voiced fricative, similar to "z" in "zoo".

коварный: [ka.'var.nɨj] - Stress on the second syllable; note the soft "р" which can be tricky for non-native speakers.

Note on слизкий: Be cautious with the "зк" cluster, as it may soften in rapid speech. For коварный, the ending "ый" can vary by dialect but is standardly pronounced as above.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Literal Meaning: Referring to a slippery or sticky texture

Translation(s) & Context:

• слизкий - Used in everyday descriptions of surfaces or substances, such as wet roads or gooey food; common in informal contexts like casual conversations.

Usage Examples:

• Дорога была слизкая после дождя. (The road was slimy after the rain.)

  Translation: The road was slimy after the rain. (This example shows the adjective in a simple descriptive sentence.)

• Эта рыба имеет слизкую кожу. (This fish has slimy skin.)

  Translation: This fish has slimy skin. (Illustrates use with nouns in a factual context.)

• После купания в озере, руки стали слизкими от водорослей. (After swimming in the lake, my hands became slimy from the algae.)

  Translation: After swimming in the lake, my hands became slimy from the algae. (Demonstrates use in a personal narrative.)

• Слизкая поверхность лестницы опасна для детей. (The slimy surface of the stairs is dangerous for children.)

  Translation: The slimy surface of the stairs is dangerous for children. (Shows comparative structure.)

Metaphorical Meaning: Referring to something deceitful or untrustworthy

Translation(s) & Context:

• коварный - Applied to people or situations implying treachery; more formal and literary, often in stories or warnings.

Usage Examples:

• Его коварный план обманул всех. (His slimy plan deceived everyone.)

  Translation: His slimy plan deceived everyone. (This highlights metaphorical use in narrative contexts.)

• Коварный политик всегда скрывает свои намерения. (The slimy politician always hides his intentions.)

  Translation: The slimy politician always hides his intentions. (Shows application to people in formal discourse.)

• В этой коварной сделке есть скрытые риски. (In this slimy deal, there are hidden risks.)

  Translation: In this slimy deal, there are hidden risks. (Illustrates use in business or abstract scenarios.)

• Коварный ветер изменил направление внезапно. (The slimy wind changed direction suddenly.)

  Translation: The slimy wind changed direction suddenly. (Extends metaphor to nature for poetic effect.)

• Её коварный улыбка напугала меня. (Her slimy smile scared me.)

  Translation: Her slimy smile scared me. (Demonstrates emotional or psychological context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are adjectives, which in Russian follow specific inflection patterns based on gender, number, and case. "Слизкий" is a regular adjective, while "коварный" is also regular but can vary slightly in formal contexts.

Note: These adjectives do not change in short form (e.g., for predicates), but full inflections are as shown above. They are invariable in terms of stem changes.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • скользкий (skol'zkij) - Similar to "слизкий" but emphasizes slipperiness more; often interchangeable in literal contexts.
  • хитрый (xitrõi) - For "коварный", implying cunning with less negative connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • сухой (suxoj) - Dry, opposite of slippery texture.
  • честный (čestnyj) - Honest, opposite of deceitful.

Related Phrases:

• слизкая дорога - A slimy road; used to warn about hazardous conditions in weather reports.
• коварный замысел - A slimy scheme; common in literature for plotting or intrigue.
• слизкий как угорь - Slimy like an eel; a metaphorical expression for evasiveness, with English explanation: This idiom compares someone to a slippery eel, emphasizing elusiveness in tricky situations.

Usage Notes:

"Slimy" translates most directly to "слизкий" for physical descriptions and "коварный" for figurative ones. Choose "слизкий" in everyday, informal settings like describing food or weather, as it's neutral and common. "Коварный" is better for formal or literary contexts due to its negative moral implications. Be mindful of gender agreement in Russian sentences; for example, always adjust the adjective ending to match the noun's gender (e.g., "слизкая рыба" for feminine nouns). If the context involves trust or ethics, "коварный" aligns more closely with English's metaphorical use.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "слизкий" in metaphorical contexts, e.g., saying "слизкий человек" to mean a deceitful person. Correct: Use "коварный человек" instead, as "слизкий" is primarily literal. Explanation: This confuses the physical and abstract meanings, leading to awkward phrasing in Russian.
• Mistake: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., saying "слизкий женщина" instead of "слизкая женщина". Correct: Always inflect for gender: "слизкая женщина". Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with nouns, unlike in English, which can cause errors for beginners.
• Mistake: Overusing "коварный" in casual speech. Correct: Reserve it for formal or written contexts; use "хитрый" for everyday cunning. Explanation: This word sounds overly dramatic in informal settings, making speech sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "коварный" often appear in folklore and literature (e.g., fairy tales by Pushkin), reflecting themes of deception and mistrust, which stem from historical contexts like espionage during the Soviet era. "Слизкий" is more neutral and practical, tied to Russia's harsh weather, where slippery surfaces are a common hazard, emphasizing survival and caution in daily life.

Related Concepts:

• скользкий (slippery)
• хитрый (cunning)
• обманчивый (deceptive)