Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'chagrin'

English Word: chagrin

Key Russian Translations:

• разочарование /rə.zɐ.t͡ɕɪ.rəˈva.nʲɪ.jə/ - [Formal, often used in written or serious contexts]
• огорчение /ɐ.ɡɐrˈt͡ɕe.nʲɪ.jə/ - [Informal, common in everyday spoken language]
• смущение /smʊˈʃt͡ɕe.nʲɪ.jə/ - [Informal, specifically for embarrassment or awkwardness]

Frequency: Medium - These words are encountered regularly in Russian literature, media, and conversation, but not as frequently as basic emotion words like "радость" (joy).

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level should grasp the vocabulary, though mastering nuances and inflections may require practice. For "разочарование," it's B1; for "огорчение" and "смущение," it's B2 due to subtle contextual usage.

Pronunciation (Russian):

разочарование: /rə.zɐ.t͡ɕɪ.rəˈva.nʲɪ.jə/ - Stress on the fourth syllable; the 'ч' is a soft palatal fricative.

огорчение: /ɐ.ɡɐrˈt͡ɕe.nʲɪ.jə/ - Stress on the third syllable; note the soft 'ч' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

смущение: /smʊˈʃt͡ɕe.nʲɪ.jə/ - Stress on the second syllable; the initial 'с' is pronounced as in "sun," and 'щ' is a voiceless palatal fricative.

Note on разочарование: Be careful with the vowel reductions in unstressed syllables, common in Russian; it may sound like /rə.zɐ.t͡ɕɪ.rə'va.nʲe/ in fast speech.

Note on огорчение: The 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, similar to the 'g' in "go," but can soften in some dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A feeling of distress, disappointment, or embarrassment caused by failure or humiliation

Translation(s) & Context:

• разочарование - Used in formal contexts, such as professional setbacks or unfulfilled expectations.
• огорчение - Applied in everyday situations, like personal letdowns or minor frustrations.
• смущение - Specifically for social awkwardness or embarrassment in interpersonal interactions.

Usage Examples:

• Он испытывал разочарование от провала проекта. (He felt chagrin from the project's failure.)

  Translation: He experienced disappointment from the project's failure. This example shows "разочарование" in a formal, professional context with a verb like "испытывать."

• Её огорчение было заметно после отмены встречи. (Her chagrin was evident after the meeting was canceled.)

  Translation: Her distress was evident after the meeting was canceled. Here, "огорчение" is used in an informal, emotional setting, highlighting personal feelings.

• Смущение охватило его, когда он ошибся на публике. (Chagrin overwhelmed him when he made a mistake in public.)

  Translation: Embarrassment overwhelmed him when he made a mistake in public. This illustrates "смущение" in a social context with emotional intensity.

• Несмотря на разочарование, она продолжила работать. (Despite the chagrin, she continued working.)

  Translation: Despite the disappointment, she continued working. This shows "разочарование" in a motivational or resilient narrative.

• Его огорчение перешло в гнев из-за мелкой ошибки. (His chagrin turned into anger due to a minor mistake.)

  Translation: His distress turned into anger due to a minor mistake. Demonstrates "огорчение" evolving in a sequence of emotions.

Meaning 2: A sense of annoyance or vexation from thwarted plans

Translation(s) & Context:

• огорчение - In contexts involving unexpected changes or minor irritations.
• разочарование - When the annoyance stems from deeper expectations.

Usage Examples:

• Огорчение от задержки поезда испортило весь день. (Chagrin from the train delay ruined the whole day.)

  Translation: Annoyance from the train delay ruined the whole day. This uses "огорчение" in a practical, everyday frustration scenario.

• Разочарование в планах отпуска было неизбежным. (Chagrin in vacation plans was inevitable.)

  Translation: Disappointment in vacation plans was inevitable. Here, "разочарование" appears in a planning context with a more formal tone.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations ("разочарование", "огорчение", "смущение") are neuter nouns in Russian, which follow standard second-declension patterns. They are inflected based on case, number, and gender, but as neuter nouns, they have regular endings.

For "огорчение" and "смущение", the inflections follow the same pattern as above. These nouns do not have irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • раздражение (razdrazheniye) - Similar to "огорчение" but implies more irritation; used for milder chagrin.
  • недовольство (nedovol'stvo) - General dissatisfaction, often interchangeable with "разочарование" in formal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • удовольствие (udovol'stvie) - Pleasure or satisfaction.
  • радость (radost') - Joy or happiness.

Related Phrases:

• Испытывать разочарование - To experience chagrin; used in reflective or narrative contexts.
• Огорчение от неудачи - Chagrin from failure; common in motivational or self-help discussions.
• Смущение в обществе - Embarrassment in society; refers to social chagrin with a connotation of awkward interactions.

Usage Notes:

Choose "разочарование" for more formal or profound expressions of chagrin, as it aligns closely with English in contexts of unmet expectations. "Огорчение" is better for informal, everyday use, similar to how English speakers might say "I'm annoyed." Be mindful of Russian's case system; for example, use the genitive case after prepositions like "от" (from). When deciding between translations, consider the intensity: "смущение" is ideal for social embarrassment, while the others suit broader disappointment.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "разочарование" with "разочаровать" (to disappoint). Incorrect: "Я разочарование от фильма" (wrong structure). Correct: "Я испытываю разочарование от фильма." Explanation: "Разочарование" is a noun and needs proper verb pairing; learners often misuse it as a verb.

• Error: Overusing "огорчение" in formal writing. Incorrect: "В официальном отчёте выражено огорчение" (too casual). Correct: "В официальном отчёте выражено разочарование." Explanation: "Огорчение" is informal, so reserve it for spoken language to avoid sounding unprofessional.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions of chagrin like "разочарование" often tie into the value of resilience and stoicism, influenced by historical events such as the Soviet era. For instance, it's common in literature (e.g., Tolstoy's works) to depict chagrin as a catalyst for personal growth, rather than just a negative emotion.

Related Concepts:

• грусть (grust') - Sadness
• раздражение (razdrazheniye) - Irritation
• стыд (styd) - Shame