Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'apathetic'

English Word: apathetic

Key Russian Translations:

• апатичный [ɐˈpatʲɪtɕnɨj] - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (This word is moderately common in Russian literature, psychology, and everyday discussions about emotions, but not as frequent as basic adjectives.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; learners at this level should recognize it in context, as it involves understanding nuanced emotional states, though the vocabulary itself is not overly complex.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

апатичный: [ɐˈpatʲɪtɕnɨj]

Note on апатичный: The stress is on the second syllable (pa-TICH-nyy). Pay attention to the soft 't' sound (тʲ), which is a common feature in Russian adjectives. Variations in pronunciation may occur based on regional dialects, but this is the standard Moscow variant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Lacking interest, enthusiasm, or emotional response

Translation(s) & Context:

• апатичный - Used in formal or psychological contexts to describe someone who is indifferent or unresponsive, often in discussions about mental health or daily attitudes.

Usage Examples:

• Он апатичен к новым идеям и редко проявляет интерес.

  He is apathetic towards new ideas and rarely shows interest.

• Апатичный взгляд девушки говорил о её усталости от повседневности.

  The girl's apathetic gaze spoke of her tiredness from everyday life.

• В обществе апатичных людей обсуждение политики кажется бессмысленным.

  In a society of apathetic people, discussing politics seems pointless.

• Апатичный подход к работе может привести к потере мотивации.

  An apathetic approach to work can lead to a loss of motivation.

• Дети иногда бывают апатичны к урокам, если они неинтересны.

  Children can sometimes be apathetic towards lessons if they are uninteresting.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Апатичный is an adjective in Russian, which follows the standard pattern for first-declension adjectives. It changes based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify in gender, number, and case. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This adjective has regular inflections, making it straightforward for learners once basic adjective patterns are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • равнодушный (ravnodushnyy) - Similar in meaning but often implies a more neutral indifference; used in everyday contexts.
  • INDIFFERENT (as a direct equivalent, but less formal than апатичный).
• Antonyms:
  • активный (aktivnyy) - Directly opposite, meaning energetic or engaged.
  • энтузиастичный (entuziastichnyy) - Implies high enthusiasm, contrasting with the lack of emotion in апатичный.

Related Phrases:

• апатичное отношение - An apathetic attitude; often used in psychological or social discussions to describe disengagement.
• быть апатичным к чему-либо - To be apathetic towards something; a common phrase in conversational Russian to express lack of interest.
• апатичное состояние - Apathetic state; frequently appears in medical or emotional contexts, e.g., in describing depression.

Usage Notes:

Апатичный directly corresponds to 'apathetic' in English, emphasizing a lack of emotion or interest, often in formal or introspective contexts. It is typically used with nouns, as Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case. For example, choose the feminine form (апатичная) when describing a female subject. Be mindful of register: it's more common in written Russian or professional discussions than casual speech. When multiple translations exist, апатичный is preferred for its precision in psychological contexts, while равнодушный might be used for everyday indifference.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the base form 'апатичный' without inflection, e.g., saying "Он апатичный к работе" instead of "Он апатичен к работе".

  Correct: Он апатичен к работе. (Explanation: Adjectives must agree with the subject; here, masculine singular nominative is needed.)

• Error: Confusing it with similar words like 'пассивный' (passivnyy, meaning passive), which implies inaction rather than emotional detachment.

  Correct: Use апатичный for emotional apathy, not пассивный. For example, "Он апатичный" vs. "Он пассивный в действиях".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of 'апатичный' is often linked to historical and literary themes of existential disillusionment, as seen in works by authors like Chekhov or in discussions of Soviet-era apathy. It can carry a subtle connotation of societal fatigue, reflecting Russia's complex history of resilience and emotional restraint, which might not be as pronounced in English-speaking contexts.

Related Concepts:

• депрессия (depressiya)
• равнодушие (ravnodushiye)
• мотивация (motivatsiya)