Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'squeamish'

English Word: squeamish

Key Russian Translations:

• брезгливый [brezɡˈlʲivɨj] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday conversations to describe sensitivity to disgust]

Frequency: Medium (This word appears regularly in casual and literary Russian texts but is not among the most common everyday vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding adjective inflections and nuanced contexts; suitable for learners with a solid grasp of basic grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

брезгливый: [brezɡˈlʲivɨj]

Note on брезгливый: Pay attention to the consonant cluster 'зг' which can be challenging for non-native speakers; it's pronounced as a soft 'z' followed by a hard 'g'. The stress is on the second syllable.

Audio: Play pronunciation audio (Insert actual audio file link here.)

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Easily disgusted, nauseated, or overly sensitive to unpleasant things (e.g., dirt, blood, or strong smells)

Translation(s) & Context:

• брезгливый - Used in informal settings to describe someone who is picky or averse to unclean or uncomfortable situations, such as in food preferences or hygiene matters.

Usage Examples:

• Он брезгливый и никогда не ест в уличных кафе.

  He is squeamish and never eats at street cafes.

• Её брезгливый характер проявляется, когда она видит кровь.

  Her squeamish nature shows when she sees blood.

• Дети часто бывают брезгливыми по отношению к новым продуктам.

  Children are often squeamish towards new foods.

• Брезгливый пассажир отказался сесть рядом с кем-то, кто кашлял.

  The squeamish passenger refused to sit next to someone who was coughing.

• Врачи должны быть менее брезгливыми, чтобы справляться с разными пациентами.

  Doctors need to be less squeamish to handle various patients.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Брезгливый' 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 for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • отталкивающий (ottalkivayushchiy) - Similar but often implies something repulsive; used in more formal contexts.
  • чувствительный (chuvstvitel'nyy) - Overlapping in meaning for sensitivity, but broader; applicable in emotional contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • смелый (smelyy) - Brave or bold, contrasting with the timid aspect of squeamishness.
  • терпеливый (terpelivyy) - Patient or tolerant, especially in enduring unpleasantness.

Related Phrases:

• Брезгливо морщиться - To wrinkle one's nose in disgust; used to describe a physical reaction to something unpleasant.
• Быть брезгливым к еде - To be squeamish about food; common in discussions about dietary preferences.
• Брезгливый подход - A squeamish approach; implies a cautious or overly sensitive method in handling tasks.

Usage Notes:

'Брезгливый' directly corresponds to the English 'squeamish' in contexts involving physical disgust, but it's more commonly used in informal Russian speech. Be mindful of its informal tone; in formal writing, opt for 'чувствительный' if the context is emotional rather than physical. Grammatically, always inflect it according to the noun it modifies, and avoid using it in professional or medical settings where neutrality is preferred. When choosing between translations, 'брезгливый' is ideal for everyday scenarios, but verify the exact nuance to ensure accurate communication.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'брезгливый' with 'чувствительный': Learners might overuse 'чувствительный' for emotional sensitivity, but for physical disgust, the correct form is 'брезгливый'. Incorrect: "Он чувствительный к грязи" (He is sensitive to dirt). Correct: "Он брезгливый к грязи" (He is squeamish about dirt). Explanation: 'Чувствительный' implies general sensitivity, while 'брезгливый' specifies aversion to uncleanliness.

• Forgetting inflections: Non-native speakers often use the masculine form everywhere, e.g., saying "Она брезгливый" instead of "Она брезгливая". Correct usage requires gender agreement, as in "Она брезгливая".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, being 'брезгливый' is often viewed as a personal quirk rather than a flaw, especially in urban settings where hygiene standards are high. Historically, this trait might stem from traditional values emphasizing cleanliness in daily life, as seen in Russian literature like Chekhov's works, where characters' squeamishness highlights social class or personality.

Related Concepts:

• трус (trus) - Coward
• чувствительность (chuvstvitel'nost') - Sensitivity
• отвращение (otvrashcheniye) - Disgust