Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'unsightly'

English Word: unsightly

Key Russian Translations:

• непривлекательный /nʲɪprʲɪvlʲɪˈkatʲɪlʲnɨj/ - [Formal, used in descriptive or critical contexts]
• уродливый /urɐdˈlʲivɨj/ - [Informal, often for more emphatic or colloquial descriptions]
• неэстетичный /nʲɛstɛˈtʲitɕɪskʲɪj/ - [Formal, specifically in aesthetic or artistic discussions]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are moderately common in everyday language, literature, and critiques, but not as frequent as basic adjectives like "big" or "small".

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Involves understanding adjective forms and nuanced vocabulary; learners at this level can grasp it with practice. For "непривлекательный", it's B1; for "уродливый", it might lean towards B2 due to its stronger emotional connotation.

Pronunciation (Russian):

непривлекательный: /nʲɪprʲɪvlʲɪˈkatʲɪlʲnɨj/

Note on непривлекательный: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("kat"), and the initial "н" is palatalized. This can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonants.

уродливый: /urɐdˈlʲivɨj/

Note on уродливый: The stress is on the second syllable ("rod"), and the word has a rolling "р" sound, which may vary regionally in Russian dialects.

неэстетичный: /nʲɛstɛˈtʲitɕɪskʲɪj/

Note on неэстетичный: Pay attention to the soft "т" and the final "й" sound, which is a common challenge for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Not pleasing to look at, often implying something unattractive in appearance or design.

Translation(s) & Context:

• непривлекательный - Used in formal contexts, such as describing buildings, landscapes, or objects in writing or professional settings (e.g., art criticism).
• уродливый - Applied in informal, everyday conversations for something extremely unappealing, like a person's features or a messy room.
• неэстетичный - Employed in specialized contexts, such as design or architecture, to discuss lack of beauty or harmony.

Usage Examples:

• Этот старый дом выглядит непривлекательным из-за облупившейся краски.

  This old house looks unsightly due to the peeling paint.

• Уродливый памятник в центре города отпугивает туристов.

  The unsightly monument in the city center scares off tourists.

• Неэстетичный дизайн интерьера сделал квартиру менее комфортной.

  The unsightly interior design made the apartment less comfortable.

• После дождя улица стала непривлекательной из-за луж и грязи.

  After the rain, the street became unsightly due to puddles and mud.

• Её уродливый наряд на вечеринке привлек всеобщее внимание.

  Her unsightly outfit at the party drew everyone's attention (in a negative way).

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are adjectives, which in Russian decline based on gender, number, and case. They follow standard adjective patterns, but "уродливый" can have irregular connotations in informal use.

Note: These adjectives are invariable in short form in some predicative uses (e.g., "Он непривлекателен"), which simplifies usage in certain sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • некрасивый (less intense, more neutral)
  • безобразный (very strong, implying deformity)
• Antonyms:
  • привлекательный (attractive)
  • красивый (beautiful)

Brief note: "некрасивый" is a milder synonym for "непривлекательный" and is often used in everyday speech, while "безобразный" shares similarities with "уродливый" but carries a more negative emotional weight.

Related Phrases:

• непривлекательный вид - An unsightly view; used to describe landscapes or scenes that lack appeal.
• уродливый дизайн - Unsightly design; common in critiques of architecture or fashion.
• неэстетичный интерьер - Unsightly interior; refers to poorly designed spaces in homes or buildings.

Usage Notes:

"Unsightly" directly corresponds to "непривлекательный" in formal English-Russian translations, but choose "уродливый" for informal or emphatic contexts to match the intensity. Be mindful of gender agreement in Russian sentences (e.g., "непривлекательный дом" for masculine nouns). In Russian, these adjectives often appear in descriptive phrases, and their use is limited to visual or aesthetic judgments rather than moral ones. When multiple translations exist, select based on context: formal writing prefers "непривлекательный" or "неэстетичный", while casual speech opts for "уродливый".

Common Errors:

• Confusing "непривлекательный" with "неприятный" (unpleasant): Learners might misuse it for general discomfort. Error: "Это непривлекательный вкус" (wrong for taste). Correct: "Это неприятный вкус". Explanation: "непривлекательный" is visual, not sensory.

• Overusing "уродливый" in formal contexts: It can sound too harsh. Error: "Уродливый фасад здания" in a professional report. Correct: "Непривлекательный фасад здания". Explanation: Reserve "уродливый" for informal or emotional descriptions to avoid offense.

• Forgetting declension: Non-native speakers often leave adjectives undeclined. Error: "В непривлекательный дом" (should be "В непривлекательный дом" if correct, but commonly miscased). Correct: Ensure agreement, e.g., "В непривлекательном доме". Explanation: Always match the adjective to the noun's case, number, and gender.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "непривлекательный" or "уродливый" often reflect a deep appreciation for aesthetics, influenced by historical art and literature (e.g., in works by Pushkin). Appearance is highly valued, so these terms can carry social implications, such as in discussions of Soviet-era architecture, which is sometimes described as "unsightly" due to functional over beauty priorities.

Related Concepts:

• красивый (beautiful)
• эстетика (aesthetics)
• внешний вид (appearance)