Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'spicy'

English Word: spicy

Key Russian Translations:

• острый [ˈostrɨj] - [Informal, used for food and flavors, often in everyday contexts]
• перченый [ˈpʲert͡ɕɪnɨj] - [Formal, specifically for food seasoned with pepper]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in culinary discussions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like colors or numbers)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections and food-related vocabulary, per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

острый: [ˈostrɨj]

перченый: [ˈpʲert͡ɕɪnɨj]

Note on острый: The stress is on the first syllable; the 'ы' sound ([ɨ]) can be challenging for English speakers, as it's similar to a high, centralized vowel. Pronounce it like "os-TRY" with a soft 'r'.

Note on перченый: The 'ч' ([t͡ɕ]) is a palatalized 'ch' sound, like in "church" but softer. Avoid overemphasizing the 'e'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Having a strong, pungent flavor due to spices or heat (most common usage)

Translation(s) & Context:

• острый - Used in informal daily conversations about food, e.g., describing hot dishes in a restaurant.
• перченый - Used in more formal or culinary contexts, emphasizing pepper-based spiciness.

Usage Examples:

• Эта еда очень острая и вызывает приятное жжение во рту.

  This food is very spicy and causes a pleasant burning sensation in the mouth.

• В этом рецепте супа используется перченый соус для усиления вкуса.

  In this soup recipe, a spicy sauce is used to enhance the flavor.

• Острый перец добавляет блюду экзотический оттенок.

  Spicy pepper adds an exotic touch to the dish.

• Если вы любите перченые закуски, попробуйте эту салат.

  If you like spicy snacks, try this salad.

• Моя кухня всегда включает острые специи для разнообразия.

  My kitchen always includes spicy spices for variety.

Meaning 2: Figuratively intense or exciting (less common, e.g., in descriptions of events or sensations)

Translation(s) & Context:

• острый - Used metaphorically for intense experiences, like in literature or casual talk.

Usage Examples:

• Эта книга имеет острый сюжет, полный неожиданных поворотов.

  This book has a spicy plot full of unexpected twists.

• Острые дебаты на конференции оставили всех в напряжении.

  The spicy debates at the conference left everyone on edge.

• Её острый юмор всегда поднимает настроение.

  Her spicy humor always lifts the spirits.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For adjectives like "острый" and "перченый", Russian adjectives inflect based on gender, number, and case. "Острый" is a regular first-declension adjective, while "перченый" follows similar patterns. Below is a table for "острый" in its nominative forms; "перченый" inflects identically.

Note: These forms change further in other cases (e.g., genitive: острого for masculine). "Перченый" has the same inflections: e.g., перченая (feminine), перченое (neuter).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • жгучий (zhguchiy) - More intense, often for burning sensations; subtle difference in implying heat over general spiciness.
  • пикантный (pikantnyj) - Used for mildly spicy or flavorful items, especially in gourmet contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • невкусный (nevkusnyj) - Bland or tasteless.
  • нежный (nezhnij) - Mild or gentle, often for soft flavors.

Related Phrases:

• Острый перец - Hot pepper; a common ingredient in spicy dishes.
• Перченый салат - Spicy salad; refers to salads with added pepper for heat.
• Острые специи - Spicy spices; used in cooking to add flavor and heat.

Usage Notes:

• "Острый" directly corresponds to "spicy" in food contexts but can also mean "sharp" or "acute" in other situations, so context is key to avoid confusion.
• Use "перченый" for more formal or specific pepper-related spiciness, such as in recipes or professional cooking.
• These words are neutral in tone but can vary by region; in Russian cuisine, spiciness is less emphasized than in some other cultures.
• When choosing between translations, opt for "острый" in everyday speech and "перченый" for precise, ingredient-focused descriptions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "острый" interchangeably with "горячий" (hot), which means temperature-based heat, not spiciness. Correct: "Эта еда острая" (This food is spicy). Incorrect: "Эта еда горячая" for spiciness. Explanation: "Горячий" refers to warmth, leading to misunderstandings in food descriptions.
• Error: Forgetting to inflect the adjective, e.g., saying "острый" for a feminine noun. Correct: "Острая пища" (spicy food, feminine). Incorrect: "Острый пища". Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case, which English learners often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, spiciness is not as central to cuisine as in some Asian or Latin American traditions. "Острый" foods are enjoyed but often balanced with milder flavors. Historically, spices were luxury items in Russia, influencing phrases like "острый перец" to symbolize exoticism or adventure in literature.

Related Concepts:

• жгучий
• пикантный
• специи