Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tepid'

English Word: tepid

Key Russian Translations:

• те́плый [tʲɪˈplɨj] - [Literal, for temperature; Informal/Formal]
• равноду́шный [rəvnəˈduʂnɨj] - [Metaphorical, for lack of enthusiasm; Formal]

Frequency: Medium (The word 'tepid' is not extremely common in English, and its Russian equivalents like 'те́плый' are moderately used in everyday contexts, especially in descriptions of temperature or emotions.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; 'те́плый' is straightforward for learners at this level, while 'равноду́шный' may require more nuance in metaphorical usage. For 'те́плый', it's easier due to regular adjective patterns; for 'равноду́шный', intermediate vocabulary knowledge is needed.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

те́плый: [tʲɪˈplɨj]

равноду́шный: [rəvnəˈduʂnɨj]

Note on те́плый: The stress is on the first syllable (те́-), and the 'ы' sound can be tricky for English speakers, similar to a short 'i' in 'bit'. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Note on равноду́шный: Stress falls on the third syllable (-ду́-), and the 'ш' sound is a soft 'sh' as in 'she'. Be mindful of the rolling 'р' in some dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Lukewarm in temperature (Literal meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• те́плый - Used in contexts describing water, air, or objects that are neither hot nor cold, such as in everyday conversations or recipes.

Usage Examples:

• Вода в ванной была те́плой, идеальной для расслабления после долгого дня.

  The water in the bath was tepid, perfect for relaxing after a long day.

• Чай остыл и стал те́плым, но всё равно приятным на вкус.

  The tea cooled down and became tepid, but it was still pleasant to taste.

• В летний вечер воздух был те́плым, но не душным.

  On a summer evening, the air was tepid but not stuffy.

• Я налила те́плую воду в кружку, чтобы развести кофе.

  I poured tepid water into the mug to dissolve the coffee.

2. Lacking enthusiasm or warmth (Metaphorical meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• равноду́шный - Used in emotional or social contexts to describe a response that is unenthusiastic or indifferent, often in formal writing or discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Его равноду́шный ответ на предложение шокировал всех на встрече.

  His tepid response to the proposal shocked everyone at the meeting.

• Публика отреагировала на речь равноду́шно, без аплодисментов.

  The audience responded to the speech with tepid applause, lacking enthusiasm.

• Её те́плая поддержка была на самом деле равноду́шной, как будто она не заботилась.

  Her tepid support felt genuinely indifferent, as if she didn't care.

• В переписке его сообщения были равноду́шными, без эмоционального тепла.

  In the correspondence, his messages were tepid, devoid of emotional warmth.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'те́плый' and 'равноду́шный' are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow regular patterns for most cases, but 'те́плый' is a standard first-declension adjective, while 'равноду́шный' is also regular but may require attention to its longer form.

For 'те́плый' (meaning "tepid" in a literal sense):

For 'равноду́шный', it follows the same pattern as above, e.g., Nominative: равноду́шный (m.), равноду́шная (f.), etc. It is regular and does not have irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • те́плый: про́хладный (slightly cool, but in metaphorical sense)
  • равноду́шный: безразли́чный (indifferent; often used in casual contexts with a similar lack of emotion)
• Antonyms:
  • те́плый: холодный (cold)
  • равноду́шный: энтузиа́стский (enthusiastic; highlights the opposite emotional intensity)

Related Phrases:

• те́плая вода - Tepid water; often used in contexts like bathing or cooking.
• равноду́шная реакция - Tepid response; refers to an unenthusiastic reaction in social or professional settings.
• те́плая погода - Tepid weather; describes mild, not extreme temperatures.

Usage Notes:

'Tepid' translates most directly to 'те́плый' for literal temperature contexts, but in metaphorical uses, 'равноду́шный' captures the lack of enthusiasm better. Be cautious with formality: 'те́плый' works in both informal and formal settings, while 'равноду́шный' is more common in written or formal speech. In Russian, adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key grammatical difference from English. When choosing between translations, opt for 'те́плый' in physical descriptions and 'равноду́шный' for emotional ones to ensure precision.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'те́плый' metaphorically without context, e.g., saying "Он был те́плым к идее" when meaning unenthusiastic. Correct: "Он был равноду́шным к идее." Explanation: 'Теплый' implies physical warmth, not emotional indifference, which can confuse the meaning.

• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "те́плый вода" instead of "те́плая вода" for feminine nouns. Correct: Always match gender and case, as in "те́плая вода." Explanation: Russian requires this for grammatical accuracy, unlike English.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'те́плый' often evokes a sense of comfort in everyday life, such as in banyas (traditional saunas) where tepid water is used for relaxation. Metaphorically, 'равноду́шный' can reflect the reserved nature in Russian interpersonal communication, where overt enthusiasm is sometimes seen as insincere, highlighting cultural values of stoicism and depth over superficial excitement.

Related Concepts:

• про́хладный
• холо́дный
• энтузиа́зм