Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'unattractive'

English Word: unattractive

Key Russian Translations:

• непривлекательный [IPA: nʲɪprʲɪvlʲɪˈkatʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Adjective, Formal, Used in general descriptions of appearance or appeal]

Frequency: Medium (This word is commonly used in everyday Russian for describing people, objects, or ideas, but it's not among the most basic vocabulary items.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; involves understanding adjective inflections, which can be challenging for learners but manageable with practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

непривлекательный: [IPA: nʲɪprʲɪvlʲɪˈkatʲɪlʲnɨj]

Note on непривлекательный: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("kat"), and the initial "nʲ" is a palatalized 'n', which is a common feature in Russian adjectives. Pronounce it with a soft, flowing rhythm to sound natural.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Lacking physical or aesthetic appeal (e.g., in reference to appearance or attractiveness)

Translation(s) & Context:

• непривлекательный - Used in formal or neutral contexts to describe someone or something that is not visually appealing, such as a person's looks or an object's design.

Usage Examples:

• Он непривлекательный, но имеет интересную личность. (He is unattractive, but he has an interesting personality.)

  Translation: He is unattractive, but he has an interesting personality. (This example shows the adjective in a nominative masculine singular form, used in everyday conversation about personal traits.)

• Эта картина непривлекательна из-за тусклых цветов. (This painting is unattractive due to the dull colors.)

  Translation: This painting is unattractive due to the dull colors. (Here, the adjective agrees with a feminine noun, demonstrating grammatical agreement in Russian.)

• Непривлекательные здания в старом районе нуждаются в ремонте. (The unattractive buildings in the old district need renovation.)

  Translation: The unattractive buildings in the old district need renovation. (This illustrates plural usage, showing how the adjective changes to describe multiple objects.)

• Её непривлекательный стиль одежды отпугивает потенциальных друзей. (Her unattractive style of clothing repels potential friends.)

  Translation: Her unattractive style of clothing repels potential friends. (This example places the adjective in a possessive context, highlighting its role in describing abstract qualities.)

Meaning 2: Lacking charm or desirability in a broader sense (e.g., ideas or situations)

Translation(s) & Context:

• непривлекательный - Applied metaphorically to non-physical attributes, such as an unappealing idea or opportunity, in professional or casual discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Это предложение непривлекательно для инвесторов. (This offer is unattractive to investors.)

  Translation: This offer is unattractive to investors. (This shows the adjective in a neuter singular form, common in business contexts.)

• Непривлекательная идея не заинтересует аудиторию. (An unattractive idea won't interest the audience.)

  Translation: An unattractive idea won't interest the audience. (Demonstrates use in abstract discussions, with the adjective modifying a feminine noun.)

• В таких непривлекательных условиях трудно работать. (In such unattractive conditions, it's hard to work.)

  Translation: In such unattractive conditions, it's hard to work. (This example uses the plural form to describe multiple circumstances.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

непривлекательный is an adjective, which inflects based on gender, number, and case in Russian. It follows the standard pattern for first-declension adjectives. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward once the basic patterns are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • некрасивый (less formal, emphasizes lack of beauty)
  • несимпатичный (focuses on unlikability in appearance, often for people)
  • уродливый (stronger, implies ugliness; use with caution due to potential offensiveness)
• Antonyms:
  • привлекательный (direct opposite, meaning attractive)
  • красивый (beautiful)
  • симпатичный (cute or pleasing)

Related Phrases:

• непривлекательный внешний вид - (Unattractive appearance; used when describing physical features in a neutral context.)
• непривлекательная идея - (Unattractive idea; common in discussions about proposals or concepts.)
• сделать что-то непривлекательным - (To make something unattractive; a phrase for describing actions that diminish appeal.)

Usage Notes:

непривлекательный directly corresponds to "unattractive" in English, serving as a versatile adjective for describing anything from physical appearance to abstract concepts. It is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal (e.g., academic writing) and informal settings, but avoid it in overly polite conversations where it might seem blunt. When choosing between synonyms like некрасивый or уродливый, opt for непривлекательный if you want a less intense option. Grammatically, always ensure it agrees with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and case, as Russian adjectives must.

Common Errors:

• Error: Failing to inflect the adjective correctly, e.g., using "непривлекательный" with a feminine noun like "девушка" without changing it to "непривлекательная".

  Correct: Девушка непривлекательная. (The girl is unattractive.)

  Explanation: Russian requires adjective-noun agreement; learners from non-inflected languages like English often overlook this, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Overusing the word in sensitive contexts, such as describing people, which might come across as rude—e.g., confusing it with stronger terms like уродливый.

  Correct: Use in objective descriptions, like for objects, to avoid offense.

  Explanation: Cultural nuances in Russian mean that personal appearance comments can be direct, but English speakers might unintentionally escalate negativity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like непривлекательный are often used straightforwardly in discussions of appearance, reflecting a more direct communication style compared to some Western cultures. However, in modern contexts, there's growing sensitivity around body positivity, so this term might carry subtle connotations of judgment, especially in media or social discussions.

Related Concepts:

• красивый (beautiful)
• уродливый (ugly)
• симпатичный (attractive or cute)