Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Churlish'

English Word: churlish

Key Russian Translations:

• грубый [ˈɡrubɨj] - [Informal, Common]
• невежливый [nʲɪˈvʲeʐlʲɪvɨj] - [Formal, Polite Contexts]
• хамский [ˈxamskʲɪj] - [Colloquial, Derogatory]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "грубый" and "невежливый"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "хамский"

Pronunciation (Russian):

грубый: [ˈɡrubɨj]

Note on грубый: Stress falls on the first syllable; the "ы" sound is a unique Russian vowel, pronounced like a short, guttural "i".

невежливый: [nʲɪˈvʲeʐlʲɪvɨj]

Note on невежливый: Stress on the second syllable; soften the "н" and "в" with a slight "y" sound due to palatalization.

хамский: [ˈxamskʲɪj]

Note on хамский: Stress on the first syllable; "х" is a guttural sound similar to the Scottish "loch".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Rude or Ill-mannered Behavior

Translation(s) & Context:

• грубый - Used for general rudeness or harshness in tone or behavior.
• невежливый - Refers to a lack of politeness or courtesy, often in formal or social settings.

Usage Examples:

• Он был грубый с официантом, что всех смутило.

  He was churlish with the waiter, which embarrassed everyone.

• Её невежливый ответ удивил гостей.

  Her churlish response surprised the guests.

• Не будь таким грубым, когда говоришь с учителем.

  Don’t be so churlish when speaking to the teacher.

2. Boorish or Insulting Attitude

Translation(s) & Context:

• хамский - Implies a particularly offensive or insolent attitude, often with a sense of arrogance.

Usage Examples:

• Его хамский тон вызвал спор на встрече.

  His churlish tone sparked an argument at the meeting.

• Она ответила в хамской манере, не думая о последствиях.

  She replied in a churlish manner, not thinking about the consequences.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

грубый (Adjective): Declines according to gender, number, and case. Below is a simplified table for nominative case:

невежливый (Adjective): Follows similar declension patterns as "грубый".

хамский (Adjective): Also declines like other adjectives, with forms such as "хамская" (feminine), "хамское" (neuter), and "хамские" (plural).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• дерзкий (bold, impudent - often less harsh than "хамский")
• нахальный (cheeky, insolent - closer to "хамский")
• неучтивый (discourteous - formal, similar to "невежливый")

Antonyms:

• вежливый (polite)
• учтивый (courteous)
• дружелюбный (friendly)

Related Phrases:

• грубый ответ - A rude reply (used to describe harsh or abrupt responses).
• невежливый тон - An impolite tone (common in formal complaints or observations).
• хамское поведение - Boorish behavior (used to criticize someone’s offensive attitude).

Usage Notes:

• "грубый" is the most versatile translation for "churlish", applicable in most informal contexts to describe rudeness.
• "невежливый" is more formal and often used when commenting on a lack of manners in social or professional settings.
• "хамский" carries a stronger negative connotation, implying not just rudeness but also arrogance or insolence; use with caution as it can be offensive.
• Adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they describe in Russian, which differs from English usage.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "хамский" in neutral or mildly critical contexts.
  Incorrect: Его ответ был хамский, хотя он просто устал. (His reply was churlish, though he was just tired.)
  Correct: Его ответ был грубый, хотя он просто устал. (His reply was churlish, though he was just tired.)
  Explanation: "хамский" implies a deliberate or extreme rudeness, so it’s better to use "грубый" for less severe situations.
• Error: Forgetting gender agreement.
  Incorrect: Она была грубый. (She was churlish.)
  Correct: Она была грубая. (She was churlish.)
  Explanation: The adjective must match the gender of the subject; "грубая" is the feminine form.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, directness can sometimes be perceived as rudeness by non-native speakers. However, terms like "хамский" specifically denote behavior that crosses social norms, often associated with a lack of respect or entitlement. Politeness is highly valued in formal settings, so "невежливый" can carry significant weight as a criticism.

Related Concepts:

• вежливость (politeness)
• дерзость (impudence)
• нахальство (insolence)