Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'snowy'

English Word: snowy

Key Russian Translations:

• снежный [sˈnʲeʐnɨj] - [Adjective, used for weather descriptions or landscapes, Formal]
• заснеженный [zəsˈnʲeʐnɨj] - [Adjective, implies heavily covered with snow, Informal, often in poetic or descriptive contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in weather-related discussions, literature, and everyday conversation during winter months in Russian-speaking regions).

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner - straightforward adjective with regular declensions, suitable for early learners; for 'заснеженный', it may be B1 due to its more nuanced usage).

Pronunciation (Russian):

снежный: [sˈnʲeʐnɨj]

заснеженный: [zəsˈnʲeʐnɨj]

Note on снежный: The 'щ' sound in 'снежный' can be challenging for English speakers; it's a soft 'sh' sound, similar to the 'sh' in 'shine' but more palatalized. Pronounce it with a slight 'y' glide before the 'e'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Covered with snow or characterized by snow (e.g., weather or environmental descriptions).

Translation(s) & Context:

• снежный - Used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as weather reports or literature, to describe something literally or metaphorically snowy.
• заснеженный - Applied in more vivid, informal settings, like storytelling, to emphasize a thick snow cover.

Usage Examples:

• Снежный пейзаж за окном создавал волшебную атмосферу. (A snowy landscape outside the window created a magical atmosphere.)

  A snowy landscape outside the window created a magical atmosphere.

• Заснеженные дороги сделали поездку опасной. (The snow-covered roads made the trip dangerous.)

  The snow-covered roads made the trip dangerous. (This shows 'заснеженный' in a practical, everyday context.)

• В снежный день дети вышли на улицу лепить снеговика. (On a snowy day, the children went out to build a snowman.)

  On a snowy day, the children went out to build a snowman. (Illustrates 'снежный' in a familial or recreational setting.)

• Горы были заснеженными, как в сказке. (The mountains were snow-covered, like in a fairy tale.)

  The mountains were snow-covered, like in a fairy tale. (Demonstrates metaphorical or poetic use.)

• Снежный ветер нес хлопья в лицо. (The snowy wind blew flakes into the face.)

  The snowy wind blew flakes into the face. (Shows 'снежный' with weather elements and varied grammar.)

Meaning 2: Figurative or metaphorical use (e.g., something pure or cold like snow).

Translation(s) & Context:

• снежный - In literary contexts, to symbolize purity or isolation.

Usage Examples:

• Её снежный характер отпугивал людей. (Her snowy character repelled people.)

  Her snowy character repelled people. (Figurative for cold or distant personality.)

• Снежный покров на душе таял с приходом весны. (The snowy cover on the soul melted with the arrival of spring.)

  The snowy cover on the soul melted with the arrival of spring. (Poetic metaphor for emotional thaw.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

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

Note: These are regular inflections. 'снежный' does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • снеговой (snegovoj) - More specific to snow-related phenomena, often used in scientific contexts.
  • холодный (holodnyj) - In a loose sense, implying coldness like snow, but with a broader meaning.
• Antonyms:
  • бесснежный (bessnezhnij) - Lacking snow, directly opposite in weather contexts.
  • тёплый (tʲɵplɨj) - Warm, contrasting the coldness associated with snow.

Related Phrases:

• Снежный покров - Snow cover; refers to a layer of snow on the ground.
• Заснеженный лес - Snow-covered forest; used in descriptions of winter scenery.
• Снежный буран - Snowstorm; a common phrase for severe winter weather.

Usage Notes:

'Снежный' directly corresponds to 'snowy' in English for literal descriptions, while 'заснеженный' adds emphasis on thickness or intensity. Use 'снежный' in standard weather reports or general adjectives, and opt for 'заснеженный' in narrative or poetic language. Be mindful of agreement with nouns: for example, say 'снежный день' (snowy day) but 'снежная зима' (snowy winter) for feminine nouns. In formal writing, these words are versatile, but in casual speech, they might be replaced with simpler terms like 'снежный' for brevity.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'снежный' without proper inflection, e.g., saying 'снежный женщина' instead of 'снежная женщина' (snowy woman). Correct: Always match gender, number, and case, as in 'снежная зима'.

• Error: Confusing with 'снег' (snow), leading to incorrect phrases like 'снег день' instead of 'снежный день'. Explanation: 'Снежный' is an adjective modifying a noun, while 'снег' is a noun; use it to describe, not as a direct substitute.

• Error: Overusing 'заснеженный' in non-emphasized contexts, which can sound overly dramatic. Correct: Reserve it for vivid descriptions; for everyday use, 'снежный' is sufficient.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'снежный' evoke the harsh yet beautiful Russian winters, often romanticized in literature (e.g., in Tolstoy's works). Snow symbolizes resilience and isolation, reflecting Russia's vast, snowy landscapes. This cultural connotation can add depth to expressions, making them more than just weather descriptions.

Related Concepts:

• снег (snow)
• зима (winter)
• холода (coldness)