Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'stinking'

English Word: stinking

Key Russian Translations:

• вонючий [vɐˈnutɕɪj] - [Informal; used for something emitting a foul odor]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation, appearing more in descriptive or informal contexts.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners should be familiar with basic adjectives and their inflections, but the informal connotation may require contextual understanding.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

вонючий: [vɐˈnutɕɪj]

Note on вонючий: The stress falls on the second syllable ("nu"), and the "ч" sound is a soft palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a short "u" sound as in "nut".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Emitting a foul or unpleasant odor (Literal usage)

Translation(s) & Context:

• вонючий - Used in informal settings to describe something that smells bad, such as food or garbage; avoid in formal writing.

Usage Examples:

• Этот сыр уже вонючий, его нельзя есть.

  This cheese is already stinking; you can't eat it.

• В старом подвале всегда вонючий запах.

  In the old basement, there's always a stinking smell.

• Её сумка была вонючей после дождя.

  Her bag was stinking after the rain.

• Вонючий мусор на улице привлекает мух.

  The stinking garbage on the street attracts flies.

Secondary Meaning: Slang for something extremely unpleasant or of poor quality (Figurative usage, e.g., "stinking rich" in English, though less direct in Russian)

Translation(s) & Context:

• вонючий - In slang, can imply something disgustingly excessive, but this is rare; more commonly, use in combination with other words for emphasis in informal speech.

Usage Examples:

• Этот вонючий босс думает, что он король.

  This stinking boss thinks he's a king (implying he's obnoxiously arrogant).

• Вонючий трафик в Москве сводит с ума.

  The stinking traffic in Moscow drives you crazy (emphasizing frustration).

• Его вонючая машина сломалась снова.

  His stinking car broke down again (implying it's unreliable and unpleasant).

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The primary translation, "вонючий", is an adjective. Russian adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify. It follows the standard first-declension pattern for adjectives ending in -ий. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic adjective patterns are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • зловонный (zlovónnyj) - More formal, emphasizing a noxious smell.
  • гнилой (gniloy) - Specifically for something rotten or decaying.
• Antonyms:
  • свежий (svéžij) - Fresh, opposite in the context of odors.
  • приятный (prijátnyj) - Pleasant, for smells or general qualities.

Related Phrases:

• вонючий запах - A stinking smell; used to describe unpleasant odors in everyday contexts.
• вонючий тип - A stinking type (slang for an unpleasant person); implies someone repulsive.
• вонючий воздух - Stinking air; common in discussions about pollution or bad ventilation.

Usage Notes:

"Вонючий" directly corresponds to the informal, derogatory sense of "stinking" in English, but it's best used in casual conversations to avoid offense in formal settings. Unlike English, where "stinking" can be hyperbolic (e.g., "stinking rich"), Russian equivalents often require additional context or phrases. When choosing between translations, opt for "вонючий" for olfactory descriptions and "гнилой" for decay-related meanings. Pay attention to adjective agreement in gender, number, and case to ensure grammatical accuracy.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "вонючий" in formal writing or professional contexts, e.g., saying "вонючий продукт" in a business email instead of "зловонный продукт".
  Correct: Stick to neutral terms like "зловонный" for formal situations to maintain politeness.
  Explanation: "Вонючий" is highly informal and can come across as rude, leading to misunderstandings in professional or polite interactions.
• Mistake: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., saying "вонючий дом" when the noun is feminine (should be "вонючая дом", but actually "вонючая дом" is incorrect; correct is "вонючий дом" for masculine, ensure agreement).
  Correct: "Вонючая комната" for a feminine noun like "комната" (room).
  Explanation: English learners often overlook Russian's grammatical agreement, which is essential for natural-sounding sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "вонючий" are often tied to everyday experiences with harsh winters or urban pollution, where foul odors from garbage or public transport are common complaints. This can reflect a broader cultural emphasis on resilience and directness in describing unpleasant realities, contrasting with more euphemistic approaches in some English-speaking contexts.

Related Concepts:

• зловоние (foul odor)
• гниение (decay)
• запах (smell)