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spunk

Pronunciation
смелость Primary Russian translation

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Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'spunk'

English Word: spunk

Key Russian Translations:

  • смелость /ˈsmʲeləsʲtʲ/ - [Formal, Noun]
  • энергия /ɛˈnʲɛrgʲɪjə/ - [Informal, Noun, Used in everyday contexts for vitality]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature and casual speech, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and basic vocabulary, as per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

смелость: /ˈsmʲeləsʲtʲ/

Note on смелость: The stress falls on the first syllable; be mindful of the palatalized 'л' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

энергия: /ɛˈnʲɛrgʲɪjə/

Note on энергия: The stress is on the third syllable; the 'г' is pronounced as a soft 'g' sound, similar to 'y' in 'yes'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Courage or boldness (Primary sense in English)
Translation(s) & Context:
  • смелость - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe bravery or spirit.
Usage Examples:

  • Его смелость в опасной ситуации спасла всех. (His spunk in the dangerous situation saved everyone.)

    English Translation: His spunk in the dangerous situation saved everyone.

  • Смелость — это то, что отличает настоящих лидеров. (Spunk is what sets true leaders apart.)

    English Translation: Spunk is what sets true leaders apart.

  • В детстве она проявляла смелость, несмотря на страх. (As a child, she showed spunk despite her fear.)

    English Translation: As a child, she showed spunk despite her fear.

  • Смелость нужна, чтобы преодолеть трудности. (Spunk is needed to overcome difficulties.)

    English Translation: Spunk is needed to overcome difficulties.

Meaning 2: Vitality or energy (Secondary, informal sense)
Translation(s) & Context:
  • энергия - Used in everyday conversations to refer to liveliness or enthusiasm.
Usage Examples:

  • Её энергия заряжает всю команду. (Her spunk energizes the whole team.)

    English Translation: Her spunk energizes the whole team.

  • С утра он полон энергии и готов к новым приключениям. (In the morning, he's full of spunk and ready for new adventures.)

    English Translation: In the morning, he's full of spunk and ready for new adventures.

  • Энергия молодости помогает преодолевать препятствия. (The spunk of youth helps in overcoming obstacles.)

    English Translation: The spunk of youth helps in overcoming obstacles.

  • Без энергии невозможно добиться успеха. (Without spunk, success is impossible.)

    English Translation: Without spunk, success is impossible.

  • Её энергия в танце завораживает зрителей. (Her spunk in dancing captivates the audience.)

    English Translation: Her spunk in dancing captivates the audience.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are feminine nouns in Russian. "Смелость" is a third-declension noun with irregular inflections, while "энергия" follows a standard first-declension pattern.

Case/Number Смелость (Irregular) Энергия (Regular)
Nominative Singular смелость энергия
Genitive Singular смелости энергии
Dative Singular смелости энергии
Accusative Singular смелость энергию
Instrumental Singular смелостью энергией
Prepositional Singular смелости энергии
Nominative Plural смелости энергии

Note: These nouns do not change in gender but inflect for case and number as shown.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

  • Synonyms: мужество (courage, more heroic connotation), отвага (bravery, often in risk-taking contexts)
  • Antonyms: трусость (cowardice), апатия (apathy, for the vitality sense)

Related Phrases:

  • Собрать смелость - (To gather courage; used when motivating oneself for a challenge)
  • Полный энергии - (Full of energy; describes someone vibrant and active)
  • Всплеск энергии - (Burst of energy; refers to a sudden surge of vitality)

Usage Notes:

"Смелость" is a more formal equivalent to "spunk" in the sense of courage and is often used in written Russian or educational contexts, while "энергия" fits informal, everyday speech for vitality. Choose "смелость" when emphasizing moral or physical bravery, as it aligns closely with English idiomatic use. Be aware of grammatical gender in Russian sentences, as both are feminine nouns. In phrases, "спунк" isn't directly translated, so adapt based on context to avoid literal translations that sound unnatural.

Common Errors:

  • Error: Using "смелость" in plural form incorrectly, e.g., saying "смелостями" when not needed. Correct: Stick to singular unless referring to multiple instances of courage. Explanation: Russian nouns like this don't always pluralize naturally in abstract senses.

  • Error: Confusing "энергия" with verbs, e.g., saying "энергизовать" instead of "заряжать энергией". Correct: Use as a noun in phrases like "полный энергии". Explanation: "Энергия" is not a verb, so learners often mix it with English verb forms.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "смелость" is often celebrated in literature and folklore, such as in stories of heroes like those in Russian fairy tales, where bravery against odds is a key theme. It reflects values of resilience in the face of historical hardships, like those during World War II, making it more than just a word—it's tied to national identity.

Related Concepts:

  • храбрость (bravery)
  • веселость (cheerfulness)
  • сила воли (willpower)