Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'stench'

English Word: stench

Key Russian Translations:

• вонь /vɐnʲ/ - [Informal, Common in everyday speech]
• зловоние /zlɐˈvo.nʲe/ - [Formal, Literary or descriptive contexts]
• смрад /smrat/ - [Informal, Emphasizing foulness, often in strong or vulgar speech]

Frequency: Medium (Common in casual conversations about smells, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like "запах").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; involves understanding noun declensions and context-specific usage. For "вонь", it's straightforward; for "зловоние", it may require more advanced vocabulary knowledge.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

вонь: /vɐnʲ/ (The "в" is a voiced labiodental fricative, and the soft "нʲ" requires palatalization, which can be tricky for beginners.)

зловоние: /zlɐˈvo.nʲe/ (Stress on the third syllable; the "зл" combination is pronounced with a soft "л", common in Slavic languages.)

смрад: /smrat/ (A straightforward pronunciation, but the "р" is a trilled sound, which might need practice.)

Note on вонь: This word often has a soft ending that affects the preceding consonant; be careful with the palatalized "нʲ" to avoid sounding unnatural.

Note on зловоние: The word has a more emphatic stress, which can vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The foul smell or odor, often unpleasant and pervasive.

Translation(s) & Context:

• вонь - Used in informal, everyday situations to describe a strong, bad smell, such as from garbage or decay.
• зловоние - Applied in more formal or literary contexts, like describing environmental pollution or historical events.
• смрад - Common in informal or emphatic speech, often with a negative connotation, such as in complaints about hygiene.

Usage Examples:

• В комнате стояла вонь от забытого мяса в холодильнике.

  There was a stench in the room from the forgotten meat in the refrigerator. (Shows "вонь" in a domestic context.)

• Зловоние от фабричных отходов загрязняет весь район.

  The stench from factory waste is polluting the entire area. (Illustrates "зловоние" in an environmental setting.)

• После дождя в подвале появился смрад, который невозможно игнорировать.

  After the rain, a stench appeared in the basement that couldn't be ignored. (Demonstrates "смрад" in a situational, emphatic use.)

• Вонь на рынке была такой сильной, что мы быстро ушли.

  The stench at the market was so strong that we left quickly. (Highlights "вонь" in a public, sensory context.)

• Зловоние в старом замке добавляло атмосферы к историческому туру.

  The stench in the old castle added atmosphere to the historical tour. (Shows "зловоние" in a metaphorical or descriptive context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"вонь" is a feminine noun in the third declension, which means it has irregular inflections. "зловоние" and "смрад" are also feminine nouns but follow more regular patterns.

Note: "вонь" is invariant in some cases and doesn't change in plural forms often, making it simpler for beginners, while "зловоние" follows standard feminine patterns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • зловоние (more formal, often used in written language)
  • смрад (emphasizes intensity, with a slightly vulgar tone)
  • дурной запах (a phrase meaning "bad smell", used in neutral contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • аромат (pleasant smell, like fragrance)
  • запах (neutral smell, but can be positive in context)

Related Phrases:

• ужасная вонь - A terrible stench; used to emphasize extremity in informal complaints.
• зловоние тления - Stench of decay; common in literary or scientific descriptions.
• смрад отходов - Stench of waste; often in environmental discussions.
• вонь на кухне - Kitchen stench; everyday phrase for household smells.

Usage Notes:

"Stench" directly corresponds to "вонь" in informal English-Russian exchanges, but choose "зловоние" for formal writing to avoid sounding casual. Be mindful of context: "вонь" is common in spoken Russian but might be too blunt in polite conversations. Grammatically, these nouns require correct declension based on case (e.g., use genitive after prepositions like "от"). When multiple translations exist, opt for "смрад" if emphasizing disgust, as it carries a stronger emotional weight.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "вонь" in formal writing without adjustment. Incorrect: "Зловоние в городе" (but replacing with вонь). Correct: Stick to "зловоние" for formality. Explanation: "Вонь" is too informal and may sound unprofessional.
• Mistake: Forgetting declension, e.g., saying "от вонь" instead of "от вонью". Incorrect: от вонь. Correct: от вонью. Explanation: Russian requires genitive case after "от", so learners must practice noun endings.
• Mistake: Confusing with neutral words like "запах", leading to understatement. Incorrect: Using "запах" for a foul odor. Correct: Use "вонь" to convey negativity. Explanation: This dilutes the meaning; "запах" is more general.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "вонь" or "смрад" often appear in literature and folklore to describe poverty, decay, or rural life, as seen in works by authors like Chekhov. They evoke a sense of realism and hardship, reflecting historical contexts where poor sanitation was common, helping users understand the word's emotional depth beyond mere translation.

Related Concepts:

• запах (smell in general)
• аромат (fragrance)
• дух (scent or spirit, metaphorically)
• гниение (decay, often associated with stench)