Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cunning'

English Word: Cunning

Key Russian Translations:

• хитрый [ˈxitrɨj] - [Informal, Commonly Used]
• лукавый [luˈkavɨj] - [Formal, Often with Negative Connotation]
• коварный [kɐˈvarnɨj] - [Formal, Strong Negative Connotation]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "хитрый"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "лукавый" and "коварный"

Pronunciation (Russian):

хитрый: [ˈxitrɨj]

Note on хитрый: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "х" sound is a guttural fricative, unfamiliar to many English speakers.

лукавый: [luˈkavɨj]

Note on лукавый: Stress on the second syllable. Often used in literary or religious contexts.

коварный: [kɐˈvarnɨj]

Note on коварный: Stress on the second syllable. Suggests deceit with malicious intent.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Clever in a Deceptive Way (Primary Meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• хитрый - Commonly used for someone who is sly or crafty in everyday situations.
• лукавый - Used for subtle deceit, often with a moral undertone, e.g., in literature or religious texts.
• коварный - Implies malicious cunning or treachery, often in serious contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он такой хитрый, что всегда находит способ избежать работы.

  He is so cunning that he always finds a way to avoid work.

• Её лукавый взгляд выдавал скрытые намерения.

  Her cunning gaze revealed hidden intentions.

• Коварный враг обманул всех нас.

  The cunning enemy deceived us all.

• Этот хитрый план сработал безупречно.

  This cunning plan worked flawlessly.

• Его коварные действия привели к трагедии.

  His cunning actions led to tragedy.

2. Skillful or Ingenious (Neutral or Positive)

Translation(s) & Context:

• хитрый - Can occasionally mean clever or resourceful in a neutral or positive sense, depending on context.

Usage Examples:

• Это был хитрый ход, чтобы выиграть игру.

  That was a cunning move to win the game.

• Инженер придумал хитрое решение проблемы.

  The engineer came up with a cunning solution to the problem.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

хитрый (Adjective): Declines according to gender, number, and case. Below is the basic declension for singular forms:

Note: Similar declension patterns apply to "лукавый" and "коварный" as they are also adjectives.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for хитрый:

• изобретательный (inventive, resourceful)
• смекалистый (quick-witted)
• пронырливый (sly, shrewd)

Note: "изобретательный" is more positive, while "пронырливый" carries a negative tone.

Antonyms for хитрый:

• прямолинейный (straightforward)
• наивный (naive)

Related Phrases:

• хитрый как лиса - "Cunning as a fox" (used to describe someone very sly).
• коварный замысел - "Cunning plot" (a deceitful or malicious plan).
• лукавый взгляд - "Cunning look" (a sly or deceptive expression).

Usage Notes:

• "хитрый" is the most versatile and commonly used term for "cunning" in everyday speech, suitable for both negative and neutral contexts.
• "лукавый" often appears in formal or literary contexts and may carry a moral judgment, sometimes linked to the devil in religious texts (e.g., "лукавый дух" - evil spirit).
• "коварный" is reserved for situations where cunning involves betrayal or malice; it is not used lightly.
• Be cautious with tone and context, as calling someone "хитрый" can be playful or accusatory depending on delivery.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "коварный" in a neutral or playful context. Incorrect: "Он такой коварный в игре!" (Intended: "He’s so cunning in the game!") Correct: "Он такой хитрый в игре!" Explanation: "коварный" implies malice, so it’s inappropriate for lighthearted contexts.
• Error: Misusing gender or case endings for adjectives like "хитрый." Incorrect: "Она хитрый." Correct: "Она хитрая." Explanation: Adjectives must agree with the noun’s gender in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian folklore and literature, cunning is often associated with characters like the fox ("лиса"), a symbol of slyness and trickery. The term "хитрый" frequently appears in fairy tales to describe such characters. Additionally, "лукавый" has historical ties to religious texts, often referring to the devil or deceitful spirits, which adds a layer of moral judgment not always present in English "cunning."

Related Concepts:

• хитрость (cunningness, slyness)
• обман (deception)
• уловка (trick, ruse)