Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'agonize'

English Word: agonize

Key Russian Translations:

• мучиться [muˈtʃitʲsə] - [Informal, Reflexive verb]
• страдать [strɐˈdatʲ] - [Formal, General use]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature and everyday conversations about emotional struggles)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of reflexive verbs for 'мучиться' and verb conjugations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мучиться: [muˈtʃitʲsə]

Note on мучиться: This is a reflexive verb with stress on the second syllable; the 'ч' is pronounced as a soft 'ch' sound, which can be challenging for beginners.

Audio: [Insert audio link for мучиться here]

страдать: [strɐˈdatʲ]

Note on страдать: Stress falls on the second syllable; the 'р' is rolled, typical in Russian phonetics.

Audio: [Insert audio link for страдать here]

Meanings and Usage:

To suffer mental anguish or struggle intensely (e.g., over a decision)

Translation(s) & Context:

• мучиться - Used in informal contexts for internal, personal torment, such as agonizing over personal choices.
• страдать - Applied in more formal or broader contexts, like enduring emotional pain in relationships or existential dilemmas.

Usage Examples:

• Он мучился всю ночь, пытаясь принять решение. (On muchilsya vsyu noch', pytayas' prinjat' reshenie.)

  He agonized all night, trying to make a decision.

• Она страдала от неопределённости будущего. (Ona stradala ot neopredelennosti budushchego.)

  She agonized over the uncertainty of the future.

• Дети мучатся во время экзаменов, терзаясь сомнениями. (Deti muchayutsya vo vremya ekzamenov, terzayas' somneniyami.)

  Children agonize during exams, tormented by doubts.

• В романе герой страдает от потери, не в силах двигаться дальше. (V romane geroy stradayet ot poteri, ne v silakh dvigatsya dal'she.)

  In the novel, the hero agonizes over the loss, unable to move on.

• Мы мучимся, выбирая между карьерой и семьёй. (My muchimsya, vybiraya mezhdu kar'eroy i sem'yoy.)

  We agonize when choosing between career and family.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'мучиться' and 'страдать' are verbs, but they follow different inflection patterns in Russian. 'Мучиться' is a reflexive verb (uses the particle '-ся'), while 'страдать' is a standard intransitive verb. Russian verbs conjugate based on tense, aspect, person, and number.

Note: These verbs do not have perfective counterparts that directly match 'agonize', but they remain consistent in form across contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • терзаться [terzat'sya] - Similar to 'мучиться', but implies more internal torment; often used in poetic contexts.
  • издыхать [izdykhat'] - Less common, implies extreme agony, typically physical.
• Antonyms:
  • наслаждаться [naslazhdatsya] - To enjoy or delight in something.
  • спокойствовать [spokoystvovat'] - To be at peace or calm.

Related Phrases:

• Мучиться сомнениями (Muchit'sya somneniyami) - To agonize over doubts; used when someone is indecisive.
• Страдать в тишине (Stradat' v tishine) - To suffer in silence; implies enduring agony without expression.
• Мучиться от безысходности (Muchit'sya ot bezykhodnosti) - To agonize over hopelessness; common in dramatic or literary contexts.

Usage Notes:

'Мучиться' is more reflexive and informal, often corresponding to 'agonize' in personal, emotional contexts, while 'страдать' is broader and can be used formally. Choose 'мучиться' for self-inflicted or internal struggles, as in everyday decisions. Be mindful of verb aspect in Russian; these are imperfective, implying ongoing action. In English, 'agonize' is transitive, but Russian equivalents are typically intransitive, so adjust sentences accordingly.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'мучиться' without the reflexive particle, e.g., saying "Он мучит" instead of "Он мучается".
  Correct: "Он мучается" means "He agonizes." Explanation: 'Мучиться' requires '-ся' to indicate reflexivity; omitting it changes the meaning to "He torments someone."
• Mistake: Confusing 'страдать' with 'страх' (fear), leading to incorrect usage like "Я страдать от страха."
  Correct: "Я страдаю от страха" (I agonize from fear). Explanation: 'Страдать' is a verb, not related to the noun 'страх'; ensure proper verb conjugation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'мучиться' and 'страдать' often appear in literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works), reflecting themes of existential agony and internal conflict. This aligns with the Russian literary tradition of exploring human suffering, which can make these words feel more profound than their English counterparts.

Related Concepts:

• боль [bol'] - Pain
• мука [muka] - Torment
• страдание [stradanie] - Suffering