Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'animosity'

English Word: animosity

Key Russian Translations:

• враждебность [vrɐʐˈdʲebnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, Neutral]
• неприязнь [nʲɪprʲɪˈjæznʲ] - [Informal, Emotional]
• злоба [ˈzlobə] - [Informal, Strong Negative Emotion]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in both formal and informal contexts)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; varies slightly by term)

Pronunciation (Russian):

враждебность: [vrɐʐˈdʲebnəsʲtʲ]

Note on враждебность: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'ж' sound is a voiced fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure'.

неприязнь: [nʲɪprʲɪˈjæznʲ]

Note on неприязнь: Stress on the third syllable. The soft 'н' and 'з' require a palatalized pronunciation.

злоба: [ˈzlobə]

Note on злоба: Stress on the first syllable. Short and sharp pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Strong dislike or hostility (General Sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• враждебность - Often used in formal or neutral contexts to describe hostility or antagonism.
• неприязнь - Refers to personal dislike or aversion, often with an emotional undertone.

Usage Examples:

• Его тон был полон враждебности, когда он говорил о конкурентах.

  His tone was full of animosity when he spoke about his competitors.

• Я чувствую неприязнь к людям, которые лгут без причины.

  I feel animosity toward people who lie without reason.

• Враждебность между двумя странами только усилилась.

  The animosity between the two countries has only intensified.

2. Intense anger or malice (Strong Emotional Sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• злоба - Used to express deep anger or malice, often in personal or emotional contexts.

Usage Examples:

• В её глазах была чистая злоба, когда она смотрела на него.

  There was pure animosity in her eyes as she looked at him.

• Он говорил со злобой, которую невозможно было скрыть.

  He spoke with an animosity that was impossible to hide.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

враждебность (feminine noun): Follows the standard declension for feminine nouns ending in -ость.

неприязнь (feminine noun): Similar declension pattern to враждебность.

злоба (feminine noun): Follows standard feminine noun declension for nouns ending in -а.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for враждебность/неприязнь/злоба:

• вражда (hostility, enmity)
• ненависть (hatred)
• антипатия (dislike, antipathy)

Note: 'ненависть' is stronger than 'неприязнь', implying deep hatred, while 'антипатия' is milder, closer to a subtle dislike.

Antonyms:

• дружелюбие (friendliness)
• симпатия (sympathy, liking)
• доброта (kindness)

Related Phrases:

• испытывать неприязнь - to feel animosity or dislike toward someone.
• проявлять враждебность - to show hostility or animosity.
• говорить со злобой - to speak with malice or animosity.

Usage Notes:

• 'враждебность' is the most neutral and formal of the translations, suitable for written texts or discussions of conflicts (e.g., between groups or nations).
• 'неприязнь' carries a more personal tone, often used to describe subjective feelings of dislike or aversion.
• 'злоба' is emotionally charged and implies a stronger, more malicious intent, often used in personal or heated contexts.
• Be mindful of context when choosing between these terms, as they are not always interchangeable.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'злоба' in formal contexts where 'враждебность' would be more appropriate. For example, saying "между странами была злоба" sounds overly emotional and personal for a geopolitical context. Correct: "между странами была враждебность".
• Error: Mispronouncing 'неприязнь' by stressing the wrong syllable (e.g., stressing the first instead of the third). Correct: Stress on 'яз' [nʲɪprʲɪˈjæznʲ].

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressing animosity or hostility directly (especially using terms like 'злоба') can be seen as overly aggressive or impolite in certain social settings. Russians may use more indirect language or euphemisms to convey dislike, especially in formal or professional contexts. 'враждебность' is often preferred in such cases.

Related Concepts:

• конфликт (conflict)
• ссора (quarrel)
• обида (resentment)