Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Brutish'

English Word: brutish

Key Russian Translations:

• грубый [ˈɡrubɨj] - [Formal/Informal, Common adjective]
• жестокий [ʐɨˈstokʲɪj] - [Formal/Informal, Emphasizes cruelty]
• зверский [ˈzvʲerskʲɪj] - [Informal, Often figurative for extreme behavior]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literature and speech, especially "грубый" and "жестокий")

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "грубый" and "жестокий"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "зверский" due to nuanced usage

Pronunciation (Russian):

грубый: [ˈɡrubɨj]

Note on грубый: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "ы" sound is a unique Russian vowel, pronounced as a short, unrounded central vowel.

жестокий: [ʐɨˈstokʲɪj]

Note on жестокий: Stress on the second syllable. The "ж" sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, similar to the "s" in "measure."

зверский: [ˈzvʲerskʲɪj]

Note on зверский: Stress on the first syllable. The soft "с" (indicated by "ь") slightly palatalizes the preceding consonant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Rough or Uncivilized Behavior (Lack of Refinement)

Translation(s) & Context:

• грубый - Used to describe someone rude, coarse, or lacking manners.

Usage Examples:

• Его грубый тон обидел всех на встрече.

  His brutish tone offended everyone at the meeting.

• Она не любит грубых людей.

  She doesn't like brutish people.

• Не будь таким грубым с младшими!

  Don't be so brutish with the younger ones!

2. Cruel or Savage Behavior (Inhumanity)

Translation(s) & Context:

• жестокий - Used for cruelty, often in serious or emotional contexts.
• зверский - Used for extreme, animal-like savagery, often figurative.

Usage Examples:

• Его жестокое обращение с животными шокировало нас.

  His brutish treatment of animals shocked us.

• Это был зверский поступок, недостойный человека.

  It was a brutish act, unworthy of a human being.

• Жестокий характер сделал его изгоем.

  His brutish nature made him an outcast.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

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

грубый (Rough):

Note: Similar declension applies to "жестокий" and "зверский," with respective stem changes.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for грубый (Rough):

• невежливый (impolite)
• хамский (boorish)

Note: "хамский" is more colloquial and derogatory than "грубый."

Synonyms for жестокий (Cruel):

• беспощадный (merciless)
• свирепый (ferocious)

Antonyms for грубый:

• вежливый (polite)
• деликатный (delicate)

Antonyms for жестокий:

• добрый (kind)
• милосердный (merciful)

Related Phrases:

• грубый ответ - A brutish (rude) response
• жестокое обращение - Brutish (cruel) treatment
• зверский аппетит - A brutish (ravenous) appetite

Usage Notes:

• "грубый" is the most neutral and widely applicable translation for "brutish" when referring to rudeness or lack of refinement. Use it in everyday contexts.
• "жестокий" emphasizes cruelty and is more emotionally charged. It fits contexts involving inhumane or harsh behavior.
• "зверский" is often figurative, implying animal-like savagery or excessiveness (e.g., "зверский холод" for "brutish cold"). Avoid overusing it in formal writing.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "зверский" for mild rudeness (e.g., "Он был зверский со мной" instead of "Он был грубый со мной").

  Explanation: "зверский" implies extreme savagery and is inappropriate for casual rudeness. Use "грубый" instead.

• Error: Misusing adjective endings based on gender (e.g., saying "Она грубый" instead of "Она грубая").

  Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with the noun's gender. "Она" (she) requires the feminine form "грубая."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, directness in speech can sometimes be perceived as "грубый" (brutish) by non-native speakers, though it may simply reflect a cultural norm of straightforwardness rather than intentional rudeness. Understanding context is key when interpreting or using these terms.

Related Concepts:

• невоспитанность (lack of upbringing)
• агрессия (aggression)
• жестокость (cruelty)