Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'compulsive'

English Word: compulsive

Key Russian Translations:

• компульсивный [kəmˈpʌlsɪvnɨj] - [Formal, Psychological Context]

Frequency: Medium (Common in psychological and medical discussions, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with psychological terminology and adjective inflections in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

компульсивный: [kəmˈpʌlsɪvnɨj] (Note the stress on the third syllable; the 'ы' sound is a subtle, palatalized vowel common in Russian)

Note on компульсивный: This word is a loanword from English, so pronunciation may vary slightly by speaker, but the IPA provided is standard. Pay attention to the soft 'н' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Relating to an irresistible urge or compulsive behavior, often in a psychological context.

Translation(s) & Context:

• компульсивный - Used in formal or medical settings to describe behaviors that are repetitive and driven by anxiety, such as in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Usage Examples:

• Его компульсивные привычки, такие как мытье рук каждые пять минут, мешают повседневной жизни.

  His compulsive habits, such as washing his hands every five minutes, interfere with daily life.

• Компульсивное поведение часто является симптомом более глубоких психологических проблем.

  Compulsive behavior is often a symptom of deeper psychological issues.

• В терапии она работает над контролем своих компульсивных мыслей.

  In therapy, she is working on controlling her compulsive thoughts.

• Компульсивный шопинг может привести к финансовым трудностям.

  Compulsive shopping can lead to financial difficulties.

• Этот компульсивный ритуал повторяется ежедневно без видимой причины.

  This compulsive ritual repeats daily without an apparent reason.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Компульсивный" is an adjective in Russian, which means it inflects based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard pattern for adjectives ending in -ый. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once the basic patterns are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • навязчивый (naviazchivyy) - Similar but more general, often implying persistent annoyance; used in everyday contexts.
  • обсессивный (obsessivnyy) - Overlaps in psychological contexts but emphasizes fixation.
• Antonyms:
  • свободный (svobodnyy) - Implies freedom from compulsion, often in a voluntary sense.
  • контролируемый (kontrolirovannyy) - Suggests behaviors that are managed or voluntary.

Related Phrases:

• Компульсивное расстройство - A phrase meaning "compulsive disorder," commonly used in clinical psychology to describe conditions like OCD.
• Компульсивные действия - Refers to "compulsive actions," often in the context of repetitive behaviors driven by anxiety.
• Лечить компульсивность - Means "to treat compulsiveness," indicating therapeutic approaches to managing such traits.

Usage Notes:

"Компульсивный" directly corresponds to the English "compulsive" in psychological and behavioral contexts, but it's more formal and less common in casual Russian speech. Use it primarily in professional or academic settings. When choosing between translations like "компульсивный" and "навязчивый," opt for the former if the context is medical; otherwise, "навязчивый" might feel more natural. Grammatically, always ensure the adjective agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies, as Russian adjectives do not remain invariant.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "компульсивный" interchangeably with "навязчивый" without considering context. For example, a learner might say "навязчивое поведение" when "компульсивное поведение" is more precise for psychological disorders.

  Correct: Компульсивное поведение (Compulsive behavior) – This specifies the clinical aspect, whereas "навязчивое" might imply general annoyance.

  Explanation: "Навязчивый" can carry a connotation of irritation, so it may not accurately convey the involuntary nature of compulsions.

• Error: Failing to inflect the adjective properly, e.g., using "компульсивный" in all cases regardless of gender.

  Correct: For a feminine noun like "привычка" (habit), use "компульсивная привычка."

  Explanation: Russian requires adjective-noun agreement, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and psychology, terms like "компульсивный" are influenced by Western psychological frameworks, particularly from Freudian and cognitive-behavioral traditions. It's not tied to specific Russian cultural practices but is widely used in modern mental health discussions, reflecting Russia's integration of global psychiatric standards since the late 20th century.

Related Concepts:

• обсессия (obsession)
• фобия (phobia)
• психическое расстройство (mental disorder)