Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'slothful'

English Word: slothful

Key Russian Translations:

• ленивый [lʲɪˈnʲivɨj] - [Informal, Adjective]

Frequency: Medium (This word is commonly used in everyday Russian conversations but not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives like "хороший".)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; learners need to understand Russian adjective declensions, but it's not overly complex for those familiar with basic grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ленивый: [lʲɪˈnʲivɨj]

Note on ленивый: The "й" at the end softens the pronunciation; pay attention to the palatalized "л" sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Stress falls on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Lacking in diligence or due care (Primary meaning: Describing someone or something that is lazy, indolent, or lacking motivation)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ленивый - Used in informal and everyday contexts to describe a person's habitual laziness, such as in personal or work-related scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• Он ленивый студент, который редко делает домашнее задание.

  He is a slothful student who rarely does his homework.

• Ленивый кот проводит весь день на диване.

  The slothful cat spends the entire day on the couch.

• Не будь ленивым и помоги мне с уборкой.

  Don't be slothful and help me with the cleaning.

• Её ленивый подход к работе привёл к провалу проекта.

  Her slothful approach to work led to the project's failure.

• В жару люди становятся ленивыми и медлительными.

  In the heat, people become slothful and sluggish.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Ленивый" is an adjective in Russian, which means it changes based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for most first-conjugation adjectives, with endings that agree with the noun they modify. It is not irregular but requires attention to declension rules.

Note: This form is standard for adjectives ending in -ый. It does not change in comparative forms without additional suffixes (e.g., ленивее for "more slothful").

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вялый (vyaly) - More emphasis on being limp or sluggish, often used for physical laziness.
  • апатичный (apatichnyy) - Implies emotional indifference or lack of interest, slightly more formal.
• Antonyms:
  • энергичный (energetichnyy)
  • активный (aktivnyy)

Related Phrases:

• Ленивый как лень - Literally "lazy as laziness"; a idiomatic expression meaning extremely lazy. (Used to exaggerate someone's indolence in casual conversation.)
• Быть ленивым до мозга костей - "To be slothful to the bone"; describes deep-seated laziness. (Common in storytelling or humor.)
• Ленивая кость - "Slothful bone"; refers to an inherent lazy trait, similar to English idioms. (Used in self-deprecating or light-hearted contexts.)

Usage Notes:

"Ленивый" directly corresponds to "slothful" in English, emphasizing a habitual lack of effort or motivation. It is most appropriate in informal settings, such as daily conversations, and should agree in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies. For formal writing, consider synonyms like "апатичный" if the context involves emotional detachment. When choosing between translations, use "ленивый" for physical or everyday laziness, but be cautious of cultural connotations where laziness might be viewed more humorously in Russian folklore.

• Grammar tip: Always decline the adjective to match the noun (e.g., ленивый дом for a masculine noun).
• Context tip: Avoid using it in professional resumes or formal documents, as it carries a negative tone.

Common Errors:

English learners often forget to decline "ленивый" correctly, leading to agreement errors. For example:

• Error: "Она ленивый" (incorrect because it doesn't match the feminine gender).
• Correct: "Она ленивая" (proper feminine form). Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with the noun's gender, so always check the noun's properties before using the adjective.
• Another common mistake: Overusing it without context, e.g., translating "slothful" as "ленивый" in positive scenarios, which can sound overly judgmental. Correct approach: Pair it with appropriate adverbs for nuance, like "слишком ленивый" for "too slothful".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, laziness (as implied by "ленивый") is often depicted humorously in literature and folktales, such as in stories about lazy characters in Russian fairy tales. However, it can carry a moral undertone in modern contexts, reflecting societal values of hard work and perseverance, especially in post-Soviet narratives where diligence is prized.

Related Concepts:

• вялый
• апатичный
• леность (laziness as a noun)