Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'voracious'

English Word: voracious

Key Russian Translations:

• ненасытный /nʲɪˈnasɨtnɨj/ - [Adjective, Formal/Informal]
• жадный /ˈʐadnɨj/ - [Adjective, Informal, often implies greed or excess]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literature and everyday contexts, but not as frequent as basic adjectives like "голодный").

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate) - Requires understanding of adjective inflections and nuanced contexts; for "жадный", it may vary slightly by context, but generally B1.

Pronunciation (Russian):

ненасытный: /nʲɪˈnasɨtnɨj/ (Note the palatalized 'н' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers; stress on the second syllable.)

жадный: /ˈʐadnɨj/ (The 'ж' is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in "measure"; stress on the first syllable.)

Note on ненасытный: This word often has a soft 'н' due to the following vowel, and variations in speed can affect vowel clarity.

Note on жадный: In fast speech, the 'д' may soften; be cautious with regional accents.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Extremely hungry or eager to consume large amounts of food (e.g., a voracious eater).

Translation(s) & Context:

• ненасытный - Used in contexts describing insatiable hunger or appetite, often in formal or descriptive writing (e.g., in literature or health discussions).
• жадный - Applied informally to excessive eating, with a connotation of greed; best for casual conversations.

Usage Examples:

• Его ненасытный аппетит удивляет всех за столом.

  His voracious appetite surprises everyone at the table.

• Она ест как жадный ребенок, не оставляя ни крошки.

  She eats like a voracious child, not leaving a single crumb.

• После тренировки у меня становится ненасытным желанием есть.

  After the workout, I develop a voracious desire to eat.

• Жадный по природе, он всегда берет вторую порцию.

  Voracious by nature, he always takes a second helping.

2. Avid or eager in pursuits, such as reading or learning (e.g., a voracious reader).

Translation(s) & Context:

• ненасытный - Common in intellectual or metaphorical contexts, emphasizing endless enthusiasm (e.g., in education or self-improvement).
• жадный - Less common here; used informally to imply overzealousness, but can sound negative.

Usage Examples:

• Она ненасытный читатель, поглощающий книги одну за другой.

  She is a voracious reader, devouring books one after another.

• Его ненасытный интерес к истории делает его экспертом.

  His voracious interest in history makes him an expert.

• Жадный к знаниям, он посещает все лекции в университете.

  Voracious for knowledge, he attends every lecture at the university.

• Ненасытный в своих хобби, он коллекционирует редкие артефакты.

  Voracious in his hobbies, he collects rare artifacts.

• Иногда его жадное стремление к успеху пугает окружающих.

  Sometimes his voracious drive for success intimidates those around him.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "ненасытный" and "жадный" are adjectives, which inflect for gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow standard first-declension adjective patterns, with some irregularities in certain forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • алчный (implies strong greed, often in material contexts)
  • прожорливый (specifically for eating, more vivid and informal)
• Antonyms:
  • умеренный (moderate, restrained)
  • сдержанный (controlled, not excessive)

Related Phrases:

• Ненасытный аппетит - A voracious appetite; used to describe someone with an insatiable hunger.
• Жадный до знаний - Voracious for knowledge; implies an eager, almost greedy pursuit of learning.
• Прожорливый взгляд - A voracious gaze; metaphorically for intense, consuming looks in literature.

Usage Notes:

"Ненасытный" is the most precise translation for "voracious" in neutral or positive contexts, such as intellectual pursuits, while "жадный" carries a more negative connotation of greed and is better for informal or critical descriptions. Choose based on context: use "ненасытный" for formal writing or when emphasizing enthusiasm, and avoid "жадный" in polite settings. Grammatically, both must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a common point of error for English learners.

• In sentences, pair with nouns like "аппетит" (appetite) for food-related uses.
• Cultural nuances: Russians may use these words metaphorically in proverbs, e.g., to describe life's excesses.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "ненасытный" with "голодный" (hungry), using the latter for "voracious" when it only means basic hunger. Incorrect: "Он голодный читатель" (He is a hungry reader) – This implies physical hunger, not eagerness. Correct: "Он ненасытный читатель." Explanation: "Голодный" lacks the intensity of greed or insatiability, so always check for contextual fit.

Another error is improper inflection, e.g., saying "ненасытный книга" instead of "ненасытная книга" for a feminine noun. Correct form: Ensure agreement, as in "ненасытная книга" for "voracious book."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "ненасытный" often appear in literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works) to depict human desires and excesses, reflecting themes of existential hunger or ambition. This ties into the Russian literary tradition of exploring inner turmoil, where "voracious" traits symbolize the pursuit of meaning in a vast, challenging world.

Related Concepts:

• голодный (hungry)
• алчный (greedy)
• прожорливый (gluttonous)