Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'spiky'

English Word: spiky

Key Russian Translations:

• колючий [kɐˈluʧʲɪj] - [Informal, commonly used for physical sharpness or prickliness]

Frequency: Medium (This word is moderately common in everyday Russian, especially in descriptive contexts like nature or objects.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding adjective inflections and contextual usage; learners at this level should grasp it with practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

колючий: [kɐˈluʧʲɪj]

Note on колючий: The stress falls on the second syllable ('lu'), and the 'ч' sound is a soft palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers. Practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Having sharp points or prickles (e.g., describing plants, animals, or objects)

Translation(s) & Context:

• колючий - Used in informal or descriptive contexts, such as for cacti, thorns, or spiky hair; often in everyday conversation or literature.

Usage Examples:

• У этого кактуса колючие иглы, которые могут уколоть кожу.

  This cactus has spiky needles that can prick the skin.

• Его волосы стали колючими после стрижки.

  His hair became spiky after the haircut.

• В лесу растут колючие кусты, которые трудно обходить.

  In the forest, there are spiky bushes that are hard to walk around.

• Колючий забор охраняет сад от животных.

  The spiky fence protects the garden from animals.

• Дети боятся колючих ежей в парке.

  Children are afraid of the spiky hedgehogs in the park.

Metaphorical use (e.g., describing something sharp or irritable in personality)

Translation(s) & Context:

• колючий - Occasionally used metaphorically for personality traits, like a "spiky" temperament, in informal storytelling or modern slang.

Usage Examples:

• Её колючий характер отпугивает друзей.

  Her spiky personality scares off friends.

• В этой книге главный герой имеет колючий юмор.

  In this book, the main character has a spiky sense of humor.

• Колючие замечания коллеги раздражают всех на работе.

  My colleague's spiky remarks annoy everyone at work.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

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

Note: This adjective is regular, so it follows standard rules. For metaphorical uses, inflections remain the same but depend on context.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • острый (ostryi) - Sharper focus on edge or pointiness, often for tools or ideas.
  • шиповатый (shipovatyi) - Specifically for spike-like protrusions, with a nuance toward physical spikes.
• Antonyms:
  • гладкий (gladkiy) - Smooth, lacking any sharpness.
  • мягкий (myagkiy) - Soft, contrasting with prickly textures or personalities.

Related Phrases:

• колючий куст (koluchiy kust) - Spiky bush; a common phrase for describing thorny vegetation in nature.
• колючие шипы (koluchie shipy) - Spiky spines; used in contexts like animal defense or plant biology.
• колючий характер (koluchiy kharakter) - Spiky personality; a metaphorical phrase for someone who is prickly or defensive in social interactions.

Usage Notes:

"Колючий" directly corresponds to "spiky" in English when describing physical attributes, but it's more versatile in Russian for metaphorical uses. It's typically informal and best suited for spoken language or casual writing. When choosing between translations like "колючий" and "острый", opt for "колючий" if the emphasis is on prickles rather than a general sharpness. Be mindful of gender and case agreements in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match the nouns they modify. For learners, practice with descriptive texts to master its inflections.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "колючий" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "колючий дом" instead of "колючий забор" in context. Correct: Ensure the adjective agrees in gender, number, and case—e.g., "колючий забор" (spiky fence). Explanation: Russian adjectives must inflect, unlike English, so this mismatch can confuse native speakers.

• Error: Confusing "колючий" with "острый" in metaphorical contexts, leading to phrases like "острый характер" when "spiky personality" is intended. Correct: Use "колючий характер" for a prickly demeanor. Explanation: "Острый" implies intellectual sharpness, while "колючий" conveys defensiveness, so context is key.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "колючий" often appear in folklore and literature to describe natural elements, such as thorny plants in fairy tales (e.g., in stories by Pushkin). It can symbolize protection or danger, reflecting Russia's vast landscapes with prickly flora like roses or thistles, which are sometimes associated with resilience in poetry and proverbs.

Related Concepts:

• шип (ship) - Spike or thorn
• игла (igla) - Needle, often used for pine needles or literal spikes
• колкость (kolkost') - Prickliness, in a metaphorical sense