Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cursed'

English Word: cursed

Key Russian Translations:

• проклятый [prɐˈklʲatɨj] - [Formal, Often used for people or objects under a curse]
• проклят [prɐˈklʲat] - [Formal, Short form, often used in religious or literary contexts]
• чёртов [ˈtɕortɐf] - [Informal, Colloquial, Often used as an exclamation of frustration]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature and colloquial speech, depending on the translation)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; "проклятый" and "проклят" are more formal and may require cultural context, while "чёртов" is easier but colloquial)

Pronunciation (Russian):

проклятый: [prɐˈklʲatɨj]

Note on проклятый: Stress falls on the second syllable. The soft "л" sound [lʲ] can be challenging for non-native speakers.

проклят: [prɐˈklʲat]

Note on проклят: Short form of "проклятый", with the same stress and soft "л".

чёртов: [ˈtɕortɐf]

Note on чёртов: Stress on the first syllable. The "ч" sound [tɕ] is a palatalized affricate, distinct from English "ch".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Under a Curse or Damned (Literal or Metaphorical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• проклятый - Used for someone or something believed to be under a curse, often in storytelling or formal contexts.
• проклят - Short form, used similarly but often in religious or dramatic contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Этот дом проклятый, никто не живёт в нём.

  This house is cursed; no one lives in it.

• Он был проклят своими врагами.

  He was cursed by his enemies.

• Проклят тот день, когда я встретил её.

  Cursed be the day I met her.

2. Exasperation or Frustration (Colloquial)

Translation(s) & Context:

• чёртов - Used as an exclamation or adjective to express annoyance or frustration, similar to "damn" in English.

Usage Examples:

• Где этот чёртов ключ?

  Where is this cursed key?

• Чёртова погода испортила нам день.

  This cursed weather ruined our day.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

проклятый (Adjective): Declines according to gender, number, and case, following standard Russian adjective patterns.

Case	Masculine (Sg)	Feminine (Sg)	Neuter (Sg)	Plural
Nominative	проклятый	проклятая	проклятое	проклятые
Genitive	проклятого	проклятой	проклятого	проклятых
Accusative	проклятого/проклятый	проклятую	проклятое	проклятых/проклятые

проклят: Short form of "проклятый", used predicatively, does not decline.

чёртов (Adjective): Declines similarly to "проклятый" as a regular adjective.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "проклятый/проклят":

• окаянный (more archaic, often religious)
• презренный (contemptible, less literal)

Synonyms for "чёртов":

• проклятый (in colloquial frustration)
• чёрт побери (idiomatic expression)

Antonyms:

• благословенный (blessed)
• святой (holy)

Related Phrases:

• проклятое место - "cursed place", often used for haunted or unlucky locations.
• чёртова дюжина - "devil's dozen", meaning 13, with a negative connotation.
• проклят навек - "cursed forever", used in dramatic or literary contexts.

Usage Notes:

• "проклятый" and "проклят" are more formal and often carry a literal or metaphorical sense of being under a curse. They are common in literature, folklore, or religious contexts.
• "чёртов" is informal and used more as an expression of frustration or annoyance, akin to "damn" or "bloody" in English. It should be avoided in formal settings.
• Be mindful of context when choosing between these translations, as they differ significantly in tone and usage.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "чёртов" in formal or serious contexts. For example, saying "Этот чёртов дом" (This cursed house) in a formal discussion about a haunted place sounds inappropriate.

  Correct Usage: Use "проклятый дом" instead for formal or literal contexts.

• Error: Mispronouncing "проклятый" by stressing the wrong syllable (e.g., [ˈprɐklʲatɨj] instead of [prɐˈklʲatɨj]).

  Correct Usage: Stress the second syllable as [prɐˈklʲatɨj].

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of being "cursed" (проклятый) is often tied to folklore, superstition, and Orthodox Christian beliefs. Curses are taken seriously in traditional stories, and the word can evoke a sense of doom or spiritual consequence. "Чёртов", on the other hand, is linked to the word "чёрт" (devil), reflecting a lighter, often humorous tone in everyday speech.

Related Concepts:

• проклятие (curse, noun)
• чёрт (devil)
• сглаз (evil eye)