Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Appalling'

English Word: Appalling

Key Russian Translations:

• ужасный [uˈʐasnyj] - [Formal/Informal, Adjective]
• отвратительный [atvraˈtʲitʲɪlʲnyj] - [Informal, Adjective, Strong Negative Connotation]
• кошмарный [kaʂˈmarnɨj] - [Informal, Adjective, Often Emotional]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in various contexts to express strong disapproval)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of context and emotional tone for accurate usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ужасный: [uˈʐasnyj]

Note on ужасный: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'ж' sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, unique to Russian.

отвратительный: [atvraˈtʲitʲɪlʲnyj]

Note on отвратительный: Stress on the third syllable. Pay attention to the soft 'т' and 'л' sounds.

кошмарный: [kaʂˈmarnɨj]

Note on кошмарный: Stress on the second syllable. The 'ш' is a voiceless retroflex fricative.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Causing Shock or Dismay (General Negative Situation)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ужасный - Used for describing situations, conditions, or behaviors that are shocking or terrible (e.g., weather, news).
• кошмарный - Often used emotionally to describe something nightmarish or unbearable (e.g., experience, dream).

Usage Examples:

• Погода сегодня ужасная, я не выйду из дома.

  The weather today is appalling; I won’t leave the house.

• У меня был кошмарный день на работе.

  I had an appalling day at work.

• Это ужасное событие потрясло всех нас.

  This appalling event shocked all of us.

2. Disgusting or Repulsive (Physical or Moral Disgust)

Translation(s) & Context:

• отвратительный - Used to describe something physically repulsive or morally repugnant (e.g., behavior, smell).

Usage Examples:

• Этот запах просто отвратительный!

  This smell is absolutely appalling!

• Его поведение было отвратительным на вечеринке.

  His behavior was appalling at the party.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All translations are adjectives and follow standard Russian adjective declension patterns based on gender, number, and case.

ужасный (Terrible):

Note: Similar declension patterns apply to отвратительный and кошмарный. Consult a full declension table for other cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for ужасный:

• страшный (scary, terrible)
• жуткий (creepy, awful)

Note: "страшный" can also mean "scary," while "жуткий" often implies a creepy tone.

Antonyms for ужасный:

• прекрасный (wonderful)
• замечательный (marvelous)

Related Phrases:

• ужасное происшествие - An appalling incident (used for tragic or shocking events).
• отвратительный поступок - An appalling act (used for morally wrong behavior).
• кошмарная ситуация - An appalling situation (used for emotionally distressing circumstances).

Usage Notes:

• "ужасный" is the most neutral and versatile translation, suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
• "отвратительный" carries a stronger sense of disgust and should be reserved for situations involving repulsion.
• "кошмарный" is more emotional and often used in spoken language to convey personal distress or frustration.
• Be mindful of adjective agreement in Russian; the form must match the noun in gender, number, and case.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "отвратительный" for general negative situations (e.g., weather). Wrong: "Погода отвратительная." Correct: "Погода ужасная." Explanation: "отвратительный" implies physical or moral disgust, not general unpleasantness.
• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement. Wrong: "Это ужасный книга." Correct: "Это ужасная книга." Explanation: "книга" (book) is feminine, so the adjective must be "ужасная."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, expressing strong negative emotions like "appalling" can be more direct and emotionally charged than in English. Using words like "кошмарный" often implies a personal or dramatic reaction, which is common in everyday Russian speech.

Related Concepts:

• страх (fear)
• отвращение (disgust)
• кошмар (nightmare)