Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'abject'

English Word: abject

Key Russian Translations:

• жалкий [ˈʐalkʲɪj] - [Informal, Used for describing pitiful states or conditions]
• ничтожный [nʲɪˈʧtoʐnɨj] - [Formal, Often used for extreme insignificance or worthlessness]
• униженный [ʊnʲɪˈʐɛnnɨj] - [Formal/Emotional, Used for humiliation or degraded states]

Frequency: Medium (These terms are moderately common in literature and emotional contexts)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for "жалкий"; C1 (Advanced) for "ничтожный" and "униженный" due to nuanced usage

Pronunciation (Russian):

жалкий: [ˈʐalkʲɪj]

Note on жалкий: The stress falls on the first syllable. The "ж" sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, unique to Russian.

ничтожный: [nʲɪˈʧtoʐnɨj]

Note on ничтожный: Stress on the second syllable. Pay attention to the soft "н" sound due to palatalization.

униженный: [ʊnʲɪˈʐɛnnɨj]

Note on униженный: Stress on the third syllable. The double "н" should be pronounced distinctly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Extreme Poverty or Misery (Physical or Emotional)

Translation(s) & Context:

• жалкий - Often used to describe someone or something in a pitiful, wretched state, either physically or emotionally.

Usage Examples:

• Он выглядел таким жалким после потери работы.

  He looked so abject after losing his job.

• Этот жалкий дом едва держался на фундаменте.

  This abject house was barely standing on its foundation.

• Её жалкий взгляд тронул моё сердце.

  Her abject look touched my heart.

2. Extreme Worthlessness or Insignificance

Translation(s) & Context:

• ничтожный - Used to describe something utterly insignificant or contemptible, often in formal or literary contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Его ничтожные усилия не привели ни к чему.

  His abject efforts led to nothing.

• Это ничтожное существо не заслуживает внимания.

  This abject creature doesn’t deserve attention.

3. Humiliation or Degradation

Translation(s) & Context:

• униженный - Refers to a state of being humiliated or degraded, often emotionally or socially.

Usage Examples:

• Он чувствовал себя униженным после публичного оскорбления.

  He felt abject after the public insult.

• Униженный тон его голоса был невыносим.

  The abject tone of his voice was unbearable.

• Она посмотрела на него с униженным выражением.

  She looked at him with an abject expression.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

жалкий (Adjective): Declines according to gender, number, and case, following standard Russian adjective patterns.

ничтожный (Adjective): Follows similar declension patterns as "жалкий".

униженный (Adjective, Past Participle): Declines like regular adjectives but is derived from the verb "унижать" (to humiliate). Can have short forms in literary contexts (e.g., унижен, унижена).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for жалкий:

• бедный (poor, pitiful)
• несчастный (unhappy, wretched)

Note: "бедный" often implies material poverty, while "несчастный" focuses on emotional misery.

Antonyms for жалкий/ничтожный:

• великолепный (magnificent)
• значительный (significant)

Related Phrases:

• жалкий вид - "pitiful appearance" (used to describe someone looking miserable or neglected)
• ничтожная сумма - "insignificant amount" (often used for money or value)
• униженное положение - "abject position" (refers to a state of humiliation or low status)

Usage Notes:

• "жалкий" is the most versatile and commonly used translation for "abject" when referring to misery or pity. It can describe both people and things.
• "ничтожный" is more formal and often carries a stronger negative connotation of worthlessness or contempt. Avoid using it in casual speech unless the context is deliberately harsh.
• "униженный" is specific to emotional or social degradation. It is often used in contexts of personal humiliation and should not be applied to inanimate objects.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "ничтожный" to describe a person in a pitiful state. This can sound overly harsh or inappropriate.
  Incorrect: Он такой ничтожный после потери работы. (He is so abject after losing his job.)
  Correct: Он такой жалкий после потери работы. (He is so abject after losing his job.)
  Explanation: "ничтожный" implies worthlessness, not pity, and can offend if misused.
• Error: Using "униженный" for physical wretchedness.
  Incorrect: Этот дом выглядит униженным. (This house looks abject.)
  Correct: Этот дом выглядит жалким. (This house looks abject.)
  Explanation: "униженный" applies only to emotional or social states, not physical conditions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressing pity or contempt through words like "жалкий" or "ничтожный" can carry strong emotional weight. Russians may use such terms in literature or drama to evoke deep empathy or disdain, but in everyday conversation, they might soften such expressions to avoid sounding overly critical or harsh.

Related Concepts:

• бедность (poverty)
• унижение (humiliation)
• презрение (contempt)