Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'venomous'

English Word: venomous

Key Russian Translations:

• ядовитый [jɪdɐˈvʲitɨj] - [Adjective, Formal, Used in scientific or descriptive contexts]
• злобный [zlobnyj] - [Adjective, Informal, Figurative use for malicious or spiteful speech]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in educational, biological, or literary contexts, but less frequent in everyday casual conversation).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; involves understanding adjective inflections and contextual nuances; for 'ядовитый', it's straightforward, but 'злобный' may require more practice for figurative applications).

Pronunciation (Russian):

ядовитый: [jɪdɐˈvʲitɨj]

злобный: [ˈzlobnɨj]

Note on ядовитый: The stress falls on the third syllable ('vi-'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft 'vʲ' sound; pronounce it with a gentle, palatalized 'v'. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter vowel lengths.

Note on злобный: Emphasize the initial 'z' sound, which is similar to English 'z' but more emphatic; common in spoken Russian for emotional expression.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Referring to something poisonous, especially animals or substances that produce venom.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ядовитый - Used in literal contexts like describing snakes or insects; common in scientific or nature-related discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Змея была ядовитой, поэтому мы держались на расстоянии.

  The snake was venomous, so we kept our distance.

• Ядовитые пауки в этом регионе представляют опасность для туристов.

  Venomous spiders in this region pose a danger to tourists.

• Этот ядовитый укус может вызвать серьёзные осложнения.

  This venomous bite can cause serious complications.

• В джунглях мы встретили ядовитого жука с яркой окраской.

  In the jungle, we encountered a venomous beetle with bright coloring.

Meaning 2: Figurative, describing malicious or spiteful behavior, such as venomous words or criticism.

Translation(s) & Context:

• злобный - Applied in interpersonal or emotional contexts, like heated arguments; more informal and expressive.

Usage Examples:

• Её злобные комментарии ранили его чувства.

  Her venomous comments hurt his feelings.

• В споре он использовал злобные слова, чтобы задеть оппонента.

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

• Злобная критика в прессе может разрушить карьеру.

  Venomous criticism in the press can destroy a career.

• Его злобный тон в разговоре сделал атмосферу напряжённой.

  His venomous tone in the conversation made the atmosphere tense.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'ядовитый' and 'злобный' are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for most cases, but they can have irregularities in spelling or stress.

For 'ядовитый' (regular adjective):

For 'злобный' (also regular):

These adjectives do not have irregular forms, but always agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • яростный (more intense, implying rage; used for highly emotional contexts)
  • злой (similar to злобный, but milder and more general for everyday meanness)
• Antonyms:
  • добрый (kind, opposite of malicious)
  • безопасный (safe, opposite of poisonous)

Related Phrases:

• Ядовитый укус - A venomous bite; used in medical or wildlife contexts to describe the act of envenomation.
• Злобные инсинуации - Venomous insinuations; refers to malicious suggestions or accusations in social or political discussions.
• Ядовитый газ - Venomous gas; metaphorical for toxic substances, often in environmental or chemical contexts.

Usage Notes:

'Ядовитый' directly corresponds to the literal English meaning of 'venomous' in contexts involving animals or toxins, and it's preferred in formal writing. For figurative uses, 'злобный' is a better match for spiteful language, as Russian often employs more emotional adjectives in interpersonal scenarios. Be mindful of adjective agreement with nouns in gender, number, and case. When choosing between translations, opt for 'ядовитый' in scientific texts and 'злобный' in conversational or literary ones to ensure naturalness.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'ядовитый' interchangeably with 'яд' (poison) without proper context. Correct: 'Ядовитый' is an adjective, so it must modify a noun, e.g., 'ядовитая змея' instead of just 'яд' for venom.

  Explanation: English learners might confuse it with the noun form, leading to incomplete sentences. Correct example: Incorrect - 'Это яд'. Correct - 'Это ядовитое вещество' (This is a venomous substance).

• Error: Failing to inflect 'злобный' properly, e.g., using it in the wrong case. Correct: Ensure it agrees, like 'злобного врага' in genitive case.

  Explanation: This can make sentences grammatically incorrect in Russian, as adjectives must match the noun. Example: Incorrect - 'Я боюсь злобный человек'. Correct - 'Я боюсь злобного человека'.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'ядовитый' often appear in folklore and literature, such as in tales of mythical creatures like the 'змей Горыныч' (a multi-headed dragon), symbolizing danger and treachery. This reflects a broader Slavic tradition where venomous animals represent hidden threats, helping users understand the word's connotations beyond literal meanings.

Related Concepts:

• токсин
• яд
• змея