Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'torpid'

English Word: torpid

Key Russian Translations:

• сонный [ˈson.nɨj] - [Informal; often used in everyday contexts to describe drowsiness or lethargy]
• вялый [ˈvja.lɨj] - [Formal; suitable for more neutral or descriptive language, implying a lack of energy]
• апатичный [ɐˈpa.tʲɪ.tɕ.nɨj] - [Formal; used when emphasizing emotional or motivational inertia]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in literature and casual conversation but not as commonly as basic adjectives like "happy" or "sad".)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections and nuanced contexts, suitable for learners with basic Russian grammar knowledge. For 'сонный', it's slightly easier at A2, while 'апатичный' may reach B2 due to its abstract nature.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сонный: [ˈson.nɨj] (The stress is on the first syllable; note the soft 'н' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.)

Note on сонный: The 'ы' vowel is a back vowel, pronounced with the tongue pulled back; practice with minimal pairs like 'сон' vs. 'сан' to master it.

вялый: [ˈvja.lɨj] (Stress on the first syllable; the 'я' is a soft 'ya' sound, common in Russian adjectives.)

Note on вялый: Pay attention to the palatalized 'л' in some regional variants, which softens the pronunciation.

апатичный: [ɐˈpa.tʲɪ.tɕ.nɨj] (Stress on the second syllable; the 'тʲ' is palatalized, making it sound like a soft 't'.)

Note on апатичный: This word has a more formal tone; the 'ч' in 'тɕ' is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to 'ch' in 'church' but softer.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Lacking in vitality, animation, or energy; sluggish or dormant.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сонный - Used in informal, everyday situations to describe physical tiredness, e.g., after a meal or lack of sleep.
• вялый - Applied in formal or descriptive contexts, such as in literature or scientific discussions, to indicate a general lack of vigor.
• апатичный - Employed when referring to emotional or psychological states, like indifference in social interactions.

Usage Examples:

• Он был сонный весь день после бессонной ночи. (He was torpid all day after a sleepless night.)

  English: He was sleepy all day after a sleepless night. (This example shows 'сонный' in a casual, daily context with an adjective modifying a subject.)

• Её движения стали вялыми от усталости. (Her movements became torpid from exhaustion.)

  English: Her movements became sluggish from exhaustion. (Here, 'вялый' demonstrates its use in describing physical actions in a more formal narrative.)

• Апатичный студент не проявлял интереса к уроку. (The torpid student showed no interest in the lesson.)

  English: The apathetic student showed no interest in the lesson. (This illustrates 'апатичный' in an educational or emotional context.)

• В жару люди становятся сонными и менее продуктивными. (In the heat, people become torpid and less productive.)

  English: In the heat, people become sleepy and less productive. (Example highlights 'сонный' in a environmental influence scenario.)

• Его вялый ответ указывал на отсутствие энтузиазма. (His torpid response indicated a lack of enthusiasm.)

  English: His sluggish response indicated a lack of enthusiasm. (This shows 'вялый' in conversational exchanges.)

Meaning 2: In a state of suspended animation or inactivity, often metaphorically.

Translation(s) & Context:

• апатичный - Best for metaphorical uses involving mental or emotional stagnation.
• сонный - In poetic or figurative language to describe a dormant state.

Usage Examples:

• Город в зимние месяцы кажется апатичным и тихим. (The city seems torpid and quiet during the winter months.)

  English: The city seems apathetic and quiet during the winter months. (This example uses 'апатичный' metaphorically for seasonal inactivity.)

• Её сонное состояние после операции продлилось несколько часов. (Her torpid state after the operation lasted several hours.)

  English: Her sleepy state after the operation lasted several hours. (Here, 'сонный' is used in a medical context.)

• Вялое экономическое развитие тормозит прогресс. (The torpid economic development hinders progress.)

  English: The sluggish economic development hinders progress. (This demonstrates 'вялый' in an abstract, societal context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are adjectives, which inflect for gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow standard first-declension patterns for adjectives, with some irregularities in spelling due to palatalization.

Note: These adjectives do not change for feminine or neuter forms in a completely irregular way; for example, feminine singular nominative of 'сонный' is 'сонная'. They are regular but require attention to soft consonants.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • дремлющий (dremlyushchiy) - Similar to 'сонный' but more poetic, implying light dozing.
  • изможденный (izmozhdennyy) - Overlaps with 'вялый', emphasizing exhaustion.
  • INDIFFERENT (as in 'апатичный') - No direct synonym, but 'равнодушный' (ravnodushnyy) is a close variant with less intensity.
• Antonyms:
  • бодрый (bodryy) - Energetic, alert.
  • энергичный (energetichnyy) - Dynamic, lively.
  • активный (aktivnyy) - Active, engaged.

Related Phrases:

• Сонный туман (Sonnyy tuman) - Meaning: A hazy, torpid fog; used metaphorically for mental fog or drowsiness.
• Вялый интерес (Vyalyy interes) - Meaning: Lukewarm or torpid interest; indicates mild engagement without enthusiasm.
• Апатичный взгляд (Apatichnyy vzlyad) - Meaning: A disinterested or torpid gaze; common in psychological descriptions.

Usage Notes:

'Torpid' doesn't have a perfect one-to-one equivalent in Russian, so choose based on context: use 'сонный' for physical lethargy, 'вялый' for general sluggishness, and 'апатичный' for emotional states. Be mindful of formality—'апатичный' suits academic writing, while 'сонный' is conversational. Grammatically, these adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key difference from English. When translating, consider the audience; for example, in business contexts, 'вялый' might be preferred for its neutrality.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'сонный' interchangeably with 'вялый' without considering context. Incorrect: Он был сонный на работе (implies literal sleepiness). Correct: Он был вялый на работе (better for professional fatigue). Explanation: 'Сонный' often connotes actual drowsiness, while 'вялый' is more about energy levels.
• Error: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., saying 'апатичный студент' in genitive case as 'апатичный студента' instead of 'апатичного студента'. Incorrect: Я видел апатичный студента. Correct: Я видел апатичного студента. Explanation: Russian adjectives must inflect, unlike English, leading to grammatical errors for beginners.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'сонный' or 'вялый' often appear in literature (e.g., in Chekhov's works) to depict the slow pace of rural life or the effects of harsh winters, symbolizing a deeper national introspection or resignation to fate. This reflects Russia's historical emphasis on endurance over immediate action.

Related Concepts:

• утомленный (utomlennyy)
• пассивный (passivnyy)
• сонливость (sonlivost')