Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'slippery'

English Word: slippery

Key Russian Translations:

• скользкий [ˈskolʲzkʲɪj] - [Adjective, commonly used in everyday contexts for surfaces that cause slipping]
• гладкий [ˈɡladkʲɪj] - [Adjective, Informal, often used when emphasizing smoothness rather than the risk of slipping]

Frequency: Medium (This word is encountered in daily conversations, literature, and descriptions of weather or objects, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; involves understanding adjective forms and contexts, suitable for learners with basic grammar knowledge. For 'скользкий', it's straightforward; for 'гладкий', it may require nuance to distinguish from English equivalents.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

скользкий: [ˈskolʲzkʲɪj]

гладкий: [ˈɡladkʲɪj]

Note on скользкий: The 'л' sound is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers; practice it as a softer 'l' similar to in 'million'. Variations in fast speech may soften the ending.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Something that is difficult to hold, stand on, or grip due to being smooth and often wet or oily.

Translation(s) & Context:

• скользкий - Used in contexts involving physical hazards, like wet roads or floors, often in warnings or descriptions.
• гладкий - Applied in less hazardous contexts, such as describing textures in art or everyday objects, but can overlap if smoothness implies slipperiness.

Usage Examples:

• Дорога была скользкой после сильного дождя, и мы едва не упали.

  The road was slippery after the heavy rain, and we almost fell.

• В ванной комнате пол всегда скользкий, если не вытереть его насухо.

  In the bathroom, the floor is always slippery if you don't dry it thoroughly.

• Его руки были скользкими от масла, так что он не смог удержать инструмент.

  His hands were slippery from the oil, so he couldn't hold the tool.

• Гладкий лёд на озере выглядел красивым, но был очень скользким для ходьбы.

  The smooth ice on the lake looked beautiful but was very slippery for walking.

• Эта ткань гладкая на ощупь, но не скользкая, как шёлк.

  This fabric is smooth to the touch but not slippery like silk.

Meaning: Figuratively, something unreliable or hard to pin down (e.g., a 'slippery character').

Translation(s) & Context:

• скользкий - Used metaphorically for people or situations that are evasive or untrustworthy, often in informal speech.

Usage Examples:

• Он — скользкий тип, всегда ускользает от ответственности.

  He's a slippery type, always evading responsibility.

• В политике скользкие обещания часто разочаровывают избирателей.

  In politics, slippery promises often disappoint voters.

• Эта сделка кажется скользкой; нужно проверить все детали.

  This deal seems slippery; we need to check all the details.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'скользкий' and 'гладкий' are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for first-declension adjectives.

Note: These adjectives are regular and do not have irregular forms, making them relatively easy to learn once basic adjective declension is understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • скользящий (sliding, more dynamic connotation)
  • гладкий (smooth, but with subtle differences in emphasis on texture vs. hazard)
• Antonyms:
  • шероховатый (rough, used for surfaces that provide grip)
  • сухой (dry, in contexts where slipperiness is due to moisture)

Related Phrases:

• Скользкий пол - A slippery floor; often used in safety warnings or household contexts.
• Гладкий как шёлк - Smooth as silk; a common simile for describing textures metaphorically.
• Скользкий вопрос - A slippery question; refers to a tricky or evasive topic in discussions.

Usage Notes:

'Скользкий' directly corresponds to the physical sense of 'slippery' in English and is the most accurate translation for contexts involving danger or instability. Use 'гладкий' when focusing on smoothness without the implication of slipping, as it aligns more with 'smooth' in English. Be mindful of gender and case agreement in sentences; for example, in formal writing, always inflect the adjective. When choosing between translations, opt for 'скользкий' in outdoor or hazard-related scenarios, and 'гладкий' for artistic or tactile descriptions. This word is versatile but avoid overusing it in metaphorical contexts, as Russian prefers specific idioms for figurative meanings.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'скользкий' interchangeably with 'гладкий' without considering context. For example, learners might say "гладкий дорога" (incorrect for a hazardous road) instead of "скользкая дорога".

  Correct: "Скользкая дорога" – This ensures the emphasis on slipperiness. Explanation: 'Гладкий' implies only smoothness, not the risk, leading to potential misunderstandings in safety contexts.

• Error: Forgetting to inflect the adjective, e.g., saying "скользкий пол" in all cases instead of "скользкого пола" in genitive.

  Correct: Adjust based on case, like "на скользком полу". Explanation: Russian grammar requires agreement, and uninflected forms sound unnatural or erroneous to native speakers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'скользкий' often appear in contexts related to harsh winters, where slippery roads and ice are common hazards. This reflects broader themes in Russian literature and daily life, such as in works by Chekhov, where weather symbolizes instability or life's uncertainties. No strong historical connotations, but it's a practical term in everyday Russian, especially in regions with cold climates.

Related Concepts:

• лед (ice)
• мокрый (wet)
• опасный (dangerous)