Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Coward'

English Word: Coward

Key Russian Translations:

• трус [trus] - [Informal, Common]
• трусливый человек [ˈtruslʲɪvɨj ˈtɕelɐˈvʲek] - [Formal, Descriptive]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "трус"; B1 for "трусливый человек")

Pronunciation (Russian):

трус: [trus]

Note on трус: The stress is on the single syllable. It’s a short, sharp sound, easy for beginners.

трусливый человек: [ˈtruslʲɪvɨj ˈtɕelɐˈvʲek]

Note on трусливый человек: Stress falls on "трус-", "ли-", and "век". Pay attention to the soft "л" sound in "трусливый".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A person lacking courage (general sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• трус - Used in everyday speech to describe someone who avoids danger or responsibility due to fear.
• трусливый человек - More formal or descriptive, often used in writing or when emphasizing the trait of cowardice.

Usage Examples:

• Он настоящий трус, даже не попытался помочь!

  He’s a real coward; he didn’t even try to help!

• Трус всегда найдёт оправдание своей слабости.

  A coward will always find an excuse for their weakness.

• Трусливый человек избегает любых рисков.

  A cowardly person avoids any risks.

• Не будь трусом, скажи правду!

  Don’t be a coward, tell the truth!

• Его назвали трусливым человеком за отказ защищать друга.

  He was called a cowardly person for refusing to defend his friend.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

трус (noun, masculine):

трусливый человек (adjective + noun): "трусливый" is an adjective and declines according to gender, number, and case. "человек" follows the standard masculine noun declension as shown above for "трус". Example: Nominative Singular (masc.) - трусливый человек, Genitive Singular - трусливого человека.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "трус":

• боязливый
• малодушный
• робкий (milder, often implies shyness)

Note: "робкий" is less harsh and often used for shyness rather than outright cowardice.

Antonyms for "трус":

• храбрец
• смелый
• отважный

Related Phrases:

• трус на словах - "a coward in words" (someone who talks big but doesn’t act)
• трусить перед чем-то - "to be cowardly about something" (to show fear or hesitation)
• трусливый поступок - "a cowardly act" (an action showing lack of courage)

Usage Notes:

• "трус" is the most common and direct translation for "coward" in everyday speech. It’s informal and can be slightly derogatory.
• "трусливый человек" is more formal or descriptive, often used in written contexts or to emphasize the trait.
• Be mindful of the tone; calling someone a "трус" directly can be insulting, similar to English.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "трус" in formal writing where "трусливый человек" would be more appropriate.
  Incorrect: В докладе его назвали трусом.
  Correct: В докладе его назвали трусливым человеком.
  Explanation: "трус" sounds too colloquial for formal reports or serious contexts.
• Error: Misusing adjective agreement with "трусливый".
  Incorrect: Она трусливый человек.
  Correct: Она трусливая женщина.
  Explanation: Adjectives in Russian must agree in gender with the noun they modify.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, courage (храбрость) is highly valued, especially in historical and military contexts. Calling someone a "трус" can be a serious insult, implying not just fear but a lack of honor or moral strength. This term might carry more weight than "coward" in English in certain contexts.

Related Concepts:

• храбрость (bravery)
• смелость (courage)
• страх (fear)