Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'anguished'

English Word: anguished

Key Russian Translations:

• страдающий [strɐˈda.jʊʂɕɪj] - [Formal, used in literary or emotional contexts to describe deep mental suffering]
• мучащийся [ˈmu.t͡ɕə.jʊɕːɪj] - [Informal, often in everyday speech for ongoing distress or torment]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, emotional narratives, or psychological discussions, but not in casual everyday conversation).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjectives and participles, with some learners finding the declensions challenging, especially for "страдающий").

Pronunciation (Russian):

страдающий: [strɐˈda.jʊʂɕɪj]

мучащийся: [ˈmu.t͡ɕə.jʊɕːɪj]

Note on страдающий: The stress falls on the third syllable ("da"), and the "щ" sound is a soft, hissing fricative that non-native speakers often confuse with "sh". Pronounce it with a clear palatalization for authenticity.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Feeling great mental pain, distress, or anguish (e.g., emotional suffering due to loss or anxiety).

Translation(s) & Context:

• страдающий - Used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as literature or psychological descriptions, to convey ongoing inner torment.
• мучащийся - Applied in informal settings, like personal stories or conversations, to describe someone enduring prolonged distress.

Usage Examples:

• Он был страдающим человеком после потери близкого. (He was an anguished man after losing a loved one.)

  Translation: He was an anguished man after losing a loved one. (This example shows the adjective in a narrative context, highlighting emotional depth.)

• Девушка мучилась в тишине, скрывая свои страдания. (The girl was anguished in silence, hiding her sufferings.)

  Translation: The girl was anguished in silence, hiding her sufferings. (Here, it demonstrates the word in an introspective, everyday scenario.)

• В романе главный герой показан как страдающий от душевной боли. (In the novel, the main character is depicted as anguished by emotional pain.)

  Translation: In the novel, the main character is depicted as anguished by emotional pain. (This illustrates use in literary analysis.)

• Мучащийся ребенок не мог заснуть из-за страхов. (The anguished child couldn't sleep because of fears.)

  Translation: The anguished child couldn't sleep because of fears. (Example of informal application in family or psychological contexts.)

• Страдающий взгляд матери тронул всех в комнате. (The anguished look of the mother touched everyone in the room.)

  Translation: The anguished look of the mother touched everyone in the room. (Shows the word in descriptive, visual contexts.)

Secondary Meaning: Expressing outward signs of anguish (e.g., in facial expressions or cries).

Translation(s) & Context:

• страдающий - In contexts involving visible emotional displays, such as in theater or art.

Usage Examples:

• Его страдающее лицо говорило о глубокой печали. (His anguished face spoke of deep sorrow.)

  Translation: His anguished face spoke of deep sorrow. (This highlights the adjective in physical descriptions.)

• Мучащийся крик эхом разнесся по лесу. (The anguished cry echoed through the forest.)

  Translation: The anguished cry echoed through the forest. (Demonstrates use in dramatic or narrative settings.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "страдающий" and "мучащийся" are present active participles/adjectives in Russian, which decline based on gender, number, and case. They follow the standard adjective declension patterns, with some irregularities due to their verbal origins.

Note: These forms are regular for adjectives but may vary slightly in poetic or archaic usage. "Мучащийся" can also be reflexive, affecting its inflection in certain contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • страждущий (strashduyushchiy) - Similar but often more formal, implying patient suffering.
  • истерзанный (isterzannyy) - Emphasizes being torn or ravaged emotionally.
• Antonyms:
  • спокойный (spokoynyy) - Calm or peaceful, contrasting with inner turmoil.
  • радостный (radostnyy) - Joyful, directly opposing anguish.

Related Phrases:

• В глубоком страдании (v glubokom stradani) - In deep anguish; used in emotional or philosophical discussions.
• Мучиться от боли (muchitsya ot boli) - To be anguished by pain; common in health or personal hardship contexts.
• Страдающая душа (stradajushchaya dusha) - An anguished soul; often in literary or spiritual phrases.

Usage Notes:

"Anguished" corresponds closely to "страдающий" in formal Russian, but choose "мучащийся" for more dynamic, everyday expressions. Be mindful of context: these words often imply prolonged suffering, unlike temporary emotions. In grammar, they must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify. For English learners, start with nominative forms and practice declensions to avoid errors in written Russian.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "страдающий" without proper declension, e.g., saying "страдающий женщина" instead of "страдающая женщина". Correct: Always decline based on the noun's gender (feminine here). Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with nouns, which can confuse English speakers used to invariable adjectives.

• Error: Confusing with similar words like "страшный" (meaning "terrible" or "frightening"), leading to misuse in emotional contexts. Correct: Use "страдающий" for internal pain, not external fear. Explanation: The roots differ, and misapplication can alter the sentence's meaning entirely.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "страдающий" often appear in literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works), reflecting the Slavic emphasis on existential suffering and the "soul's torment." This ties into broader themes of resilience and melancholy in Russian art, helping users appreciate why such vocabulary is prevalent in poetry and films.

Related Concepts:

• печаль (pechal) - Sorrow
• отчаяние (otchayanie) - Despair
• душевная боль (dushevnaya bol) - Emotional pain