Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'toxic'

English Word: toxic

Key Russian Translations:

• токсичный [ˈtɐksʲɪt͡ɕnɨj] - [Formal, Scientific contexts]
• ядовитый [jɪˈdovʲɪtɨj] - [Formal, Often used for natural or biological poisons]
• вредный [ˈvrʲednɨj] - [Informal, Metaphorical or general harmful contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific, environmental, and everyday discussions, but less frequent in casual conversation)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2; Requires understanding of Russian adjectives and their inflections; 'токсичный' may be easier for learners with scientific vocabulary, while 'вредный' is more accessible)

Pronunciation (Russian):

токсичный: [ˈtɐksʲɪt͡ɕnɨj]

ядовитый: [jɪˈdovʲɪtɨj]

вредный: [ˈvrʲednɨj]

Note on токсичный: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'ч' sound is a soft palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers—similar to the 'ch' in 'loch' but softer.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Relating to poison or harmful substances (Literal, scientific sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• токсичный - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as chemistry or environmental discussions, to describe substances that can cause harm.
• ядовитый - Applied in contexts involving natural toxins, like snake venom or plants, emphasizing biological danger.

Usage Examples:

• Этот химикат токсичен и может вызвать серьёзные проблемы со здоровьем.

  This chemical is toxic and can cause serious health problems.

• Вода в реке ядовитая из-за промышленных отходов.

  The water in the river is poisonous due to industrial waste.

• Токсичные вещества в воздухе увеличивают риск заболеваний.

  Toxic substances in the air increase the risk of diseases.

• Избегайте контакта с ядовитыми растениями в лесу.

  Avoid contact with poisonous plants in the forest.

• Токсичный газ распространился после аварии на заводе.

  The toxic gas spread after the accident at the factory.

Meaning 2: Harmful in a metaphorical sense (e.g., toxic relationships or environments)

Translation(s) & Context:

• вредный - Common in informal or psychological contexts, describing emotional or social harm without literal toxicity.
• токсичный - Increasingly used in modern Russian to borrow the English metaphorical sense, especially in self-help or social media.

Usage Examples:

• Эта токсичная обстановка в офисе влияет на продуктивность сотрудников.

  This toxic environment in the office affects the employees' productivity.

• Вредные отношения могут разрушить вашу самооценку.

  Toxic relationships can destroy your self-esteem.

• Токсичный начальник создаёт напряжённую атмосферу в команде.

  A toxic boss creates a tense atmosphere in the team.

• Избавьтесь от вредных привычек, чтобы улучшить качество жизни.

  Get rid of toxic habits to improve your quality of life.

• Вредный комментарий в соцсетях может вызвать эмоциональный стресс.

  A toxic comment on social media can cause emotional stress.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. 'Токсичный' and 'ядовитый' follow standard adjective patterns, while 'вредный' is similar but can vary slightly. Below is a table for 'токсичный' as an example; others follow the same rules.

For 'ядовитый' and 'вредный', the inflections are identical in pattern to 'токсичный'.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ядовитый (similar to 'toxic', but more focused on natural poisons)
  • вредный (broader, often used for anything harmful, with a less severe connotation)
  • опасный (dangerous, implying risk but not always toxicity)
• Antonyms:
  • безопасный (safe, commonly used in contrast to toxic substances)
  • невредный (harmless, especially in metaphorical contexts)

Related Phrases:

• Токсичные вещества - Toxic substances (Refers to harmful chemicals in environmental contexts)
• Ядовитый укус - Poisonous bite (Used for animal or insect attacks)
• Вредная привычка - Harmful habit (Common in health and psychology discussions)
• Токсичная среда - Toxic environment (Metaphorical for unhealthy workplaces or relationships)

Usage Notes:

'Токсичный' is the most direct equivalent to 'toxic' in English, especially in scientific or medical contexts, and it's increasingly used in metaphorical senses due to English influence. Choose 'ядовитый' for natural toxins to sound more native and formal. 'Вредный' is versatile for everyday harm but may understate severity. Be mindful of gender and case agreements in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match the noun they describe. In informal speech, 'вредный' is preferred for emotional contexts, while 'токсичный' suits written or professional language.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'токсичный' interchangeably with 'ядовитый' in all contexts. Incorrect: "Этот фрукт токсичный." (This implies chemical toxicity.) Correct: "Этот фрукт ядовитый." (More appropriate for natural poisons.) Explanation: 'Токсичный' is for man-made or chemical agents, while 'ядовитый' fits biological ones, to avoid confusion in precise communication.

• Error: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., saying "токсичный женщина" instead of "токсичная женщина." Incorrect: "токсичный женщина" Correct: "токсичная женщина" Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun, which English learners often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'токсичный' have gained popularity in recent years due to environmental concerns, such as Chernobyl's legacy, and social discussions influenced by Western media. Metaphorically, 'toxic relationships' reflect modern psychology, highlighting how environmental and personal toxicity intertwine in Russian societal discourse.

Related Concepts:

• загрязнение (pollution)
• яд (poison)
• вред (harm)
• экология (ecology)