Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'weedy'

English Word: weedy

Key Russian Translations:

• заросший сорняками [zɐˈroʂʲɨj sɐrˈnʲakʲɪ] - [Informal, used for describing areas overgrown with weeds]
• хилый [ˈxʲilɨj] - [Informal, used for describing a person or thing that is physically weak or frail]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in everyday contexts, such as gardening or casual descriptions, but not as common in formal writing.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can grasp the basic meanings with some exposure, though nuances like context-specific usage may require practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

заросший сорняками: [zɐˈroʂʲɨj sɐrˈnʲakʲɪ]

Note on заросший сорняками: The stress falls on the third syllable of "заросший" (ro), and the "ш" sound is a soft palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it slowly to master the rolling 'r'.

Audio: []

хилый: [ˈxʲilɨj]

Note on хилый: The initial "х" is a voiceless velar fricative (like the 'ch' in Scottish "loch"), and the "ы" vowel is a centralized high vowel, which differs from English sounds. Avoid confusing it with "холодный" (cold).

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Overgrown with weeds (Referring to plants or areas)

Translation(s) & Context:

• заросший сорняками - Used in informal contexts like describing neglected gardens or fields in everyday conversation.

Usage Examples:

• В саду всё заросло сорняками из-за дождей. (The garden has become overgrown with weeds because of the rains.)

  English: The garden has become overgrown with weeds because of the rains. (This example shows the phrase in a descriptive, environmental context.)

• Эта дорога заросла сорняками и теперь непроходима. (This road is overgrown with weeds and now impassable.)

  English: This road is overgrown with weeds and now impassable. (Illustrates use in a practical, problem-solving scenario.)

• Летом поле быстро заросло сорняками без ухода. (In summer, the field quickly became overgrown with weeds without maintenance.)

  English: In summer, the field quickly became overgrown with weeds without maintenance. (Demonstrates temporal context and cause-effect structure.)

• Заросший сорняками участок сада отпугивает птиц. (The weed-overgrown section of the garden scares away birds.)

  English: The weed-overgrown section of the garden scares away birds. (Shows metaphorical or indirect implications in nature descriptions.)

Meaning 2: Thin and weak (Referring to people or objects)

Translation(s) & Context:

• хилый - Used informally to describe physical frailty, often in casual or humorous contexts, such as commenting on someone's appearance.

Usage Examples:

• Этот хилый мальчик не сможет поднять тяжёлый ящик. (This weedy boy won't be able to lift the heavy box.)

  English: This weedy boy won't be able to lift the heavy box. (This highlights the word in a physical capability context.)

• После болезни он стал ещё более хилым и уставшим. (After the illness, he became even more weedy and tired.)

  English: After the illness, he became even more weedy and tired. (Shows progression or change in state.)

• Не нанимай хилого работника для этой тяжёлой работы. (Don't hire a weedy worker for this heavy job.)

  English: Don't hire a weedy worker for this heavy job. (Illustrates advisory or cautionary usage in professional settings.)

• Её хилый голос едва был слышен в шумной комнате. (Her weedy voice was barely audible in the noisy room.)

  English: Her weedy voice was barely audible in the noisy room. (Extends the meaning metaphorically to non-physical attributes.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For заросший сорняками (adjective phrase): This is a participial adjective combined with a noun. "Заросший" is an adjective that inflects based on gender, number, and case, while "сорняками" is a plural instrumental case of the noun "сорняк" (weed).

For хилый (adjective): This is a short-form adjective that inflects for gender, number, and case. It follows standard first-declension patterns and does not have irregularities.

Note: Both forms are relatively straightforward but require attention to case agreement in sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • заросший (for overgrown) - Similar but more general, often used interchangeably in casual speech.
  • слабый (for weak) - More common and versatile, implying general weakness rather than physical frailty.
• Antonyms:
  • чистый (clean, for overgrown contexts) - Implies a tidy, weed-free area.
  • крепкий (strong, for weak contexts) - Suggests robustness or health.

Related Phrases:

• Заросший сорняками сад (A garden overgrown with weeds) - Refers to neglected outdoor spaces; used in environmental discussions.
• Хилый телосложение (Weedy physique) - Describes a frail body type; common in health or fitness contexts.
• Полный сорняков участок (Area full of weeds) - A fixed phrase for heavily infested areas, implying neglect.

Usage Notes:

"Weedy" corresponds closely to "заросший сорняками" for plant-related meanings and "хилый" for physical weakness, but English users should note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify. For example, use "хилый" in informal settings to avoid offense, as it can sound derogatory. When choosing between translations, opt for "заросший сорняками" in descriptive narratives and "хилый" in personal descriptions. Be cautious of context: in formal writing, prefer more neutral terms like "слабый" to maintain politeness.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "хилый" without gender agreement, e.g., saying "хилый женщина" instead of "хилая женщина". Correct: "хилая женщина" (weedy woman). Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender; this mistake often stems from English's lack of agreement rules.

• Error: Confusing "заросший сорняками" with "заросший травами" (overgrown with grasses), leading to misuse in contexts. Correct: Use "заросший сорняками" specifically for weeds. Explanation: "Сорняками" refers to unwanted plants, so ensure the context implies negativity to avoid miscommunication.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "хилый" can carry a subtle connotation of pity or humor, often seen in folk tales where weak characters overcome obstacles, reflecting themes of resilience in Russian literature (e.g., in stories by Chekhov). "Заросший сорняками" might evoke images of rural neglect, symbolizing the vast, untamed Russian countryside, which is a common motif in poetry and art.

Related Concepts:

• сорняк (weed)
• слабость (weakness)
• заросль (overgrowth)