Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'animus'

English Word: animus

Key Russian Translations:

• враждебность [vrɐʐˈdʲebnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, used in psychological or serious discussions]
• анимус [ɐˈnʲimus] - [Used in psychological contexts, often as a direct borrowing from English/Jungian psychology]
• намерение [nəmʲɪˈrʲenʲɪje] - [Informal, when referring to intent or motive in everyday language]

Frequency: Medium - 'Враждебность' and 'анимус' appear in formal writing, literature, and psychological discussions, but not in casual everyday conversation.

Difficulty: B2 for 'враждебность' and 'анимус' (Intermediate, requiring understanding of abstract concepts); A2 for 'намерение' (Beginner, as it's a common noun).

Pronunciation (Russian):

враждебность: [vrɐʐˈdʲebnəsʲtʲ]

Note on враждебность: The stress falls on the third syllable ('dʲebnəsʲtʲ'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonants and vowel reductions in Russian.

анимус: [ɐˈnʲimus]

Note on анимус: Pronounced similarly to the English word, but with a softer 'nʲ' sound; it's often used as a loanword without significant variation.

намерение: [nəmʲɪˈrʲenʲɪje]

Note on намерение: The ending '-ие' is pronounced as a soft 'ye' sound, common in Russian nouns.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Hostility or animosity (primary meaning in English)

Translation(s) & Context:

• враждебность - Used in formal contexts like psychology, politics, or literature to describe deep-seated enmity or opposition.
• анимус - Specifically in Jungian psychology, referring to the masculine aspect in a woman's psyche; used in academic or therapeutic settings.

Usage Examples:

• Его враждебность к проекту была очевидна во время встречи.

  His animus towards the project was evident during the meeting.

• В психологии анимус представляет внутренний конфликт женщины.

  In psychology, the animus represents the inner conflict of a woman.

• Эта враждебность между странами уходит корнями в историю.

  This animus between countries has roots in history.

• Она скрывала свой анимус под маской спокойствия.

  She hid her animus behind a mask of calmness.

2. Intent or motive (less common in English, but related)

Translation(s) & Context:

• намерение - Used in everyday contexts to describe purpose or intention, often in legal or personal scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• Его намерение помочь было искренним, несмотря на неудачу.

  His animus (intent) to help was sincere, despite the failure.

• В контракте указано намерение сторон на сотрудничество.

  The contract states the animus (intent) of the parties for collaboration.

• Это намерение изменить ситуацию требует смелости.

  This animus (intent) to change the situation requires courage.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Враждебность' is a feminine noun (abstract, ending in -ость). It follows standard Russian noun declension patterns for third-declension nouns. Below is a table of its inflections:

'Анимус' is an indeclinable noun (as a loanword) and does not change in any case or number; it remains 'анимус' in all forms.

'Намерение' is a neuter noun and follows first-declension patterns. It inflects as follows (partial table for brevity):

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вражда (more intense, implying active conflict)
  • недоброжелательность (milder, suggesting simple unfriendliness)
• Antonyms:
  • дружба (friendship)
  • доброжелательность (benevolence)

Related Phrases:

• Проявить враждебность - To show animosity; used in contexts of interpersonal or international relations.
• Анимус в психологии - The animus in psychology; a phrase common in therapeutic discussions.
• Скрытое намерение - Hidden intent; often used in narratives or legal contexts to imply ulterior motives.

Usage Notes:

When translating 'animus' to Russian, choose 'враждебность' for contexts of hostility, as it best captures the emotional depth. 'Анимус' should be reserved for Jungian psychology to maintain precision. 'Намерение' is suitable for intent-based meanings but may not convey the negative connotation. Be mindful of formal vs. informal settings: 'враждебность' is more common in written or academic Russian, while 'намерение' fits casual speech. Grammatically, these nouns require appropriate case agreement with verbs and prepositions.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'враждебность' with 'вражда', using them interchangeably. Error: Saying "Я чувствую вражда" (incorrect, as 'вражда' is also a noun and needs proper case). Correct: "Я чувствую враждебность" (with genitive in some contexts). Explanation: 'Враждебность' is more abstract, while 'вражда' implies a state of war.
• Mispronouncing 'анимус' by stressing the wrong syllable, e.g., saying [ˈɐnʲimus] instead of [ɐˈnʲimus]. Correct: Practice the stress on the second syllable to align with Russian phonetic rules.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'враждебность' often carries historical connotations related to conflicts like the Cold War or internal strife, reflecting a society shaped by geopolitical tensions. 'Анимус' as a psychological term is influenced by Western imports, highlighting Russia's engagement with global psychoanalysis, particularly in literature like that of Freud or Jung adaptations.

Related Concepts:

• конфликт (conflict)
• психея (psyche)
• мотивация (motivation)