Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'venomous'

English Word: venomous

Key Russian Translations:

• Ядовитый /jaˈdovʲɪtɨj/ - [Formal, Adjective]
• Токсичный /tɐkˈsʲit͡ɕnɨj/ - [Formal, Scientific or Technical Context]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language, especially in discussions about nature, health, or metaphors, but not as frequent as basic adjectives).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners need to understand adjective inflections and contextual usage, which can vary based on formality).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Ядовитый: /jaˈdovʲɪtɨj/

Токсичный: /tɐkˈsʲit͡ɕnɨj/

Note on Ядовитый: The stress is on the second syllable (/ˈdovʲ/), and the 'й' sound at the end can be subtle; it's often softened in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Literal Meaning: Referring to something poisonous, like a snake's venom.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Ядовитый - Used in contexts involving animals, chemicals, or natural toxins; common in formal descriptions or warnings.
• Токсичный - Preferred in scientific or medical contexts for substances that are harmful when ingested or exposed.

Usage Examples:

• В лесу мы увидели ядовитую змею, которая могла нанести серьезный укус.

  In the forest, we saw a venomous snake that could deliver a serious bite.

• Этот ядовитый паук обитает в тропических регионах и требует осторожного обращения.

  This venomous spider lives in tropical regions and requires careful handling.

• Ядовитые вещества в реке угрожают местной фауне.

  Venomous substances in the river threaten the local wildlife.

• Токсичный газ в лаборатории был немедленно изолирован.

  The venomous gas in the laboratory was immediately isolated.

Metaphorical Meaning: Referring to something harmful or malicious, like a person's words.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Ядовитый - Used figuratively in literature or everyday speech to describe spiteful behavior; informal in emotional contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Её ядовитые замечания ранили его больше, чем любые слова.

  Her venomous remarks hurt him more than any words could.

• В споре он использовал ядовитый юмор, чтобы задеть оппонента.

  In the argument, he used venomous humor to sting his opponent.

• Ядовитая критика в прессе разрушила его репутацию.

  The venomous criticism in the press destroyed his reputation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Ядовитый" and "Токсичный" are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for first-declension adjectives.

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular inflections; they follow the standard pattern, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Отравленный - Often used for poisoned substances, with a slight emphasis on ingestion.
  • Ярдовитый - A less common variant, similar to ядовитый but archaic in some contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • Безвредный - Harmless, used in safe or non-toxic contexts.
  • Невинный - Innocent, especially in metaphorical senses.

Related Phrases:

• Ядовитый укус - A venomous bite; used in discussions about animal attacks or metaphors for sudden harm.
• Токсичный отход - Toxic waste; common in environmental contexts.
• Ядовитая атмосфера - A venomous atmosphere; refers to a tense or hostile environment in social settings.

Usage Notes:

"Ядовитый" is the most direct translation for "venomous" in both literal and figurative senses, while "Токсичный" is better for scientific or chemical contexts. In Russian, these adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they describe, which is a key grammatical rule. For English speakers, note that "venomous" often implies biological poison, whereas "toxic" can be broader—choose the translation based on context. In informal speech, "ядовитый" can carry emotional weight in arguments, similar to English idioms like "poisonous words."

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "Ядовитый" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "Ядовитый змея" instead of "Ядовитая змея" for a feminine noun like "змея" (snake).
  Correct: Ядовитая змея. Explanation: Adjectives in Russian must match the noun's gender; this error stems from English's lack of gender agreement.
• Mistake: Confusing "Ядовитый" with "Токсичный" in everyday contexts, e.g., describing a snake as "Токсичный змея."
  Correct: Ядовитая змея. Explanation: "Токсичный" sounds overly technical and may not convey the biological nuance of "venomous."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "ядовитый" often appear in folklore and literature, such as in stories about mythical creatures or historical references to poisonous plants in rural areas. Metaphorically, it reflects the Russian emphasis on emotional depth, where "venomous" criticism can symbolize the intensity of interpersonal conflicts, as seen in classic works by authors like Pushkin.

Related Concepts:

• Яд (Poison)
• Отравление (Poisoning)
• Змея (Snake)