Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'cruelty'

English Word: cruelty

Key Russian Translations:

• жестокость [ʐɨˈstokəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, Neutral]
• злость [ˈzɫosʲtʲ] - [Informal, Emotional]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "жестокость"; A2 (Elementary) for "злость"

Pronunciation (Russian):

жестокость: [ʐɨˈstokəsʲtʲ]

Note on жестокость: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "ж" sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, unique to Russian.

злость: [ˈzɫosʲtʲ]

Note on злость: Stress is on the first syllable. The "л" before a soft consonant is pronounced softly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Cruelty as Harshness or Brutality

Translation(s) & Context:

• жестокость - Used to describe intentional harshness or brutality, often in formal or serious contexts (e.g., cruelty to animals).

Usage Examples:

• Его жестокость к животным шокировала всех.

  His cruelty to animals shocked everyone.

• Жестокость войны оставила глубокие раны.

  The cruelty of war left deep wounds.

• Она обвинила его в жестокости из-за его слов.

  She accused him of cruelty because of his words.

2. Cruelty as Malice or Spite

Translation(s) & Context:

• злость - Refers to spite or malice, often with an emotional undertone, used in more informal contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он сказал это со злостью в голосе.

  He said it with cruelty (malice) in his voice.

• Её злость ранила меня больше, чем её слова.

  Her cruelty (spite) hurt me more than her words.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

жестокость (Noun, Feminine):

Note: "жестокость" is an abstract noun and is rarely used in plural form.

злость (Noun, Feminine): Follows similar declension patterns as "жестокость".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for жестокость:

• беспощадность (ruthlessness)
• свирепость (ferocity)

Synonyms for злость:

• злобность (malice)
• озлобление (bitterness)

Antonyms:

• доброта (kindness)
• милосердие (mercy)

Related Phrases:

• жестокость судьбы - "cruelty of fate" (used to describe harsh or unfair life circumstances)
• со злостью - "with cruelty/malice" (often used to describe tone or intent)

Usage Notes:

• "жестокость" is the more formal and direct translation of "cruelty," often used in contexts involving physical or emotional harm.
• "злость" carries a more emotional or personal tone, often implying spite or anger rather than deliberate cruelty.
• Choose "жестокость" for serious or formal discussions (e.g., legal or moral contexts) and "злость" for personal or emotional expressions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "злость" to describe systemic or deliberate cruelty (e.g., "cruelty of a regime"). Correct Usage: Use "жестокость" instead. Example: "Жестокость режима была очевидна" (The cruelty of the regime was evident), not "злость режима".
• Error: Mispronouncing "жестокость" by stressing the first syllable. Correct Usage: Stress the second syllable [ʐɨˈstokəsʲtʲ].

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions of "жестокость" (cruelty) are often associated with historical narratives of war or oppression, reflecting a collective memory of hardship. The term can carry a heavier emotional weight than in English.

Related Concepts:

• насилие (violence)
• тирания (tyranny)
• страдание (suffering)