Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Abhor'

English Word: Abhor

Key Russian Translations:

• ненавидеть [nʲɪnɐˈvʲidʲɪtʲ] - [Neutral, Commonly Used]
• презирать [prʲɪzʲɪˈratʲ] - [Formal, Strong Disdain]
• гнушаться [ɡnʊˈʂatʲsə] - [Formal, Rare, Often Literary]

Frequency: Medium (Common in formal and written contexts)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for "ненавидеть"; C1 (Advanced) for "презирать" and "гнушаться"

Pronunciation (Russian):

ненавидеть: [nʲɪnɐˈvʲidʲɪtʲ]

Note on ненавидеть: Stress falls on the third syllable. The "д" sound is soft due to the following "и".

презирать: [prʲɪzʲɪˈratʲ]

Note on презирать: Stress on the third syllable. The "р" is rolled, typical of Russian pronunciation.

гнушаться: [ɡnʊˈʂatʲsə]

Note on гнушаться: Stress on the second syllable. The reflexive ending "-ся" is common in literary usage.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To Hate Intensely

Translation(s) & Context:

• ненавидеть - Used for a strong dislike or hatred, applicable in personal and general contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Я ненавижу ложь.

  I abhor lies.

• Он ненавидит несправедливость.

  He abhors injustice.

• Мы ненавидим насилие в любой форме.

  We abhor violence in any form.

2. To Despise or Look Down Upon

Translation(s) & Context:

• презирать - Implies contempt or disdain, often with a sense of superiority.
• гнушаться - Suggests aversion or disgust, often used in literary or formal contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Она презирает тех, кто обманывает других.

  She abhors (despises) those who deceive others.

• Он гнушается низкими поступками.

  He abhors (is repulsed by) dishonorable actions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

ненавидеть (Verb, Imperfective Aspect):

Note: Perfective form is "возненавидеть" (to come to hate).

презирать (Verb, Imperfective) and гнушаться (Verb, Reflexive) follow similar conjugation patterns but are less commonly used in everyday speech.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• ненавидеть - детестовать (rare, formal)
• презирать - брезговать (implies disgust)

Antonyms:

• любить (to love)
• уважать (to respect)

Related Phrases:

• ненавидеть всем сердцем - "to hate with all one's heart" (deep hatred)
• презирать врагов - "to despise enemies" (formal disdain)

Usage Notes:

• "ненавидеть" is the most versatile and commonly used translation for "abhor," suitable for most contexts involving hatred or strong dislike.
• "презирать" carries a connotation of contempt and is often used when the speaker feels morally or socially superior.
• "гнушаться" is rare and mostly found in literature or formal speech, implying disgust or repulsion.
• Unlike English, Russian verbs of emotion like "ненавидеть" are often used in the imperfective aspect to describe ongoing feelings.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "презирать" interchangeably with "ненавидеть." Incorrect: Я презираю эту еду (I despise this food). Correct: Я ненавижу эту еду (I hate this food). Explanation: "презирать" implies disdain for people or abstract concepts, not objects like food.
• Error: Misconjugating "ненавидеть" by placing stress incorrectly. Incorrect: ненавИжу. Correct: ненавИжу. Explanation: Stress must be on "ви" in the present tense.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions of hatred or contempt (like "ненавидеть" or "презирать") are often used more sparingly in polite conversation compared to English. Strong negative emotions may be expressed indirectly to avoid conflict, especially in formal settings.

Related Concepts:

• отвращение (disgust)
• презрение (contempt)
• ненависть (hatred)