Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'somnolent'

English Word: somnolent

Key Russian Translations:

• сонный [ˈsonnɨj] - [Formal, used in descriptive contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in everyday Russian literature and conversation, but not as commonly as basic adjectives.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of adjective agreement and basic descriptive vocabulary.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сонный: [ˈsonnɨj]

Note on сонный: The stress is on the first syllable. The 'ы' sound (as in "bit") can be challenging for English speakers; it's a back vowel. Variations in pronunciation may occur in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Sleepy or drowsy (Referring to a state of sleepiness, often due to fatigue or boredom)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сонный - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe a person, animal, or atmosphere that is lethargic or inclined to sleep, such as in narratives or medical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Он был сонный после долгого дня работы.

  He was somnolent after a long day of work. (This example shows the adjective in a simple declarative sentence, describing a person's state.)

• Сонный кот свернулся в клубок на диване.

  The somnolent cat curled up into a ball on the couch. (Illustrates usage with an animal subject, highlighting agreement with masculine nouns.)

• В сонном городе всё казалось замедленным.

  In the somnolent city, everything seemed slowed down. (Demonstrates metaphorical use in describing an atmosphere, common in literary contexts.)

• Её сонные глаза выдавали усталость.

  Her somnolent eyes betrayed her fatigue. (Shows the word in a poetic or descriptive phrase, focusing on physical appearance.)

• Сонный ребёнок не хотел вставать утром.

  The somnolent child didn't want to get up in the morning. (Example in a familial or everyday context, emphasizing routine usage.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Сонный" is an adjective in Russian, which means it changes based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard pattern for first-declension adjectives. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward once basic Russian adjective rules are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • утомленный (utomlennyy) - Implies exhaustion, often from physical effort.
  • дремлющий (dremlyushchiy) - Suggests light dozing or half-asleep state, more poetic.
• Antonyms:
  • бодрый (bodryy) - Energetic and alert.
  • активный (aktivnyy) - Active and lively.

Related Phrases:

• сонный вид (sonnyy vid) - Sleepy appearance; used to describe someone who looks drowsy.
• сонный город (sonnyy gorod) - Somnolent town; refers to a quiet, inactive place, often in literature.
• сонный полдень (sonnyy poluden') - Drowsy noon; a phrase for the midday lull when people feel sleepy.

Usage Notes:

"Сонный" directly corresponds to "somnolent" in English, serving as an adjective to describe states of sleepiness. It must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies, which is a key grammatical feature in Russian. For example, use it in formal writing or when discussing health/psychology, but opt for more casual synonyms in everyday speech. When choosing among translations, "сонный" is preferred for literal sleepiness, while "утомленный" might fit better for fatigue-induced drowsiness. Be mindful of context: it's neutral in tone but can carry a poetic connotation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "сонный" without proper agreement, e.g., saying "сонный женщина" instead of "сонная женщина".

  Correct: "Сонная женщина" (The somnolent woman). Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender; here, "женщина" is feminine, so the adjective ends in "-ая".

• Error: Confusing it with "сон" (son, meaning sleep), leading to misuse like "Он сон" instead of "Он сонный".

  Correct: "Он сонный" (He is somnolent). Explanation: "Сон" is a noun, not an adjective, so it can't directly describe a state without additional words.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "сонный" often appear in literature (e.g., in works by Chekhov) to evoke the vast, sleepy expanses of rural life or the introspective mood of long winters. It reflects a cultural appreciation for rest and reflection, contrasting with more fast-paced Western ideals, and is frequently used in poetry to symbolize laziness or peaceful solitude.

Related Concepts:

• сон (son) - Sleep
• дремота (dremota) - Drowsiness
• усталость (ustalost') - Fatigue