Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'cussed'

English Word: cussed

Key Russian Translations:

• упрямый (upryamyy) - [Informal, often used in everyday conversation to describe stubborn behavior]
• заклятый (zaklyatyi) - [Formal, implies a deeper, more intense stubbornness or even cursed-like quality]

Frequency: Low (This word and its equivalents are not commonly used in everyday Russian speech; more prevalent in literary or descriptive contexts.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 level on CEFR scale for упрямый; A2 for заклятый, as it involves understanding nuances of adjectives and cultural connotations.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

упрямый: /ʊˈprʲamɨj/ (The stress is on the second syllable; note the soft 'r' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.)

Note on упрямый: The 'ы' sound is a back vowel, similar to the 'i' in "bit" but more centralized; common in Russian adjectives.

Audio: []

заклятый: /zɐˈklʲatɨj/ (Stress on the third syllable; the 'я' softens the preceding consonant.)

Note on заклятый: This word may have variations in fast speech, potentially sounding like /zɐˈklʲatʲij/ in some dialects; pay attention to the palatalized 'l'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Stubborn or obstinate behavior

Translation(s) & Context:

• упрямый - Used in informal settings to describe someone who is persistently resistant to change or advice, e.g., in family or work disputes.
• заклятый - Applied in more formal or literary contexts to imply a deep-seated, almost unchangeable stubbornness, often with a negative connotation.

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда упрямый в своих решениях. (He is always stubborn in his decisions.)

  Translation: He is always cussed in his decisions. (This example shows the adjective in a simple declarative sentence.)

• Её упрямый характер часто приводит к конфликтам. (Her cussed nature often leads to conflicts.)

  Translation: Her stubborn character often leads to conflicts. (Illustrates use in describing personality traits.)

• Заклятый упрямый человек не слушает чужие советы. (A cussedly stubborn person doesn't listen to others' advice.)

  Translation: A deeply stubborn person doesn't listen to others' advice. (Combines with other words for emphasis in a sentence.)

• В этой ситуации он проявил себя как заклятый противник изменений. (In this situation, he showed himself as a cussed opponent to changes.)

  Translation: In this situation, he proved to be a stubborn opponent to changes. (Demonstrates formal usage in narrative contexts.)

• Упрямый ребенок отказывается есть овощи. (The cussed child refuses to eat vegetables.)

  Translation: The stubborn child refuses to eat vegetables. (Shows application in everyday, familial scenarios.)

Meaning 2: Cursed or ill-fated (less common, informal usage)

Translation(s) & Context:

• заклятый - Used metaphorically in informal or superstitious contexts to mean something akin to "cursed," often in storytelling or curses.

Usage Examples:

• Этот заклятый дом полон тайн. (This cussed house is full of secrets.)

  Translation: This cursed house is full of secrets. (Example in a supernatural or fictional context.)

• Заклятый враг семьи вернулся. (The cussed enemy of the family has returned.)

  Translation: The cursed enemy of the family has returned. (Illustrates use in dramatic or adversarial scenarios.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. упрямый is a regular adjective, while заклятый follows standard patterns with some irregularities in certain forms.

Note: These adjectives do not change in predicative positions but must agree with the noun they modify.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • настойчивый (naststavchivyi) - More neutral, implying persistence rather than negative stubbornness.
  • твердый (tverdyi) - Often used for firmness in decisions, with less emotional connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • гибкий (gibkii) - Flexible or adaptable.
  • уступчивый (ustupchivyi) - Yielding or compliant.

Related Phrases:

• упрямый как осёл (upryamyy kak osyol) - Meaning: Stubborn as a mule; used to emphasize extreme stubbornness in informal speech.
• заклятый враг (zaklyatyi vrag) - Meaning: Sworn enemy; implies a deeply entrenched opposition.
• быть упрямым до конца (byt' upryamym do kontsa) - Meaning: To be stubborn to the end; a phrase for unwavering determination in challenging situations.

Usage Notes:

"Cussed" in English often carries a folksy or informal tone, similar to упрямый in Russian, which is best used in everyday conversations rather than formal writing. For заклятый, choose it when emphasizing a more intense or archaic sense, as in literature or curses. Be mindful of gender agreement in Russian sentences, as adjectives must match the noun's gender, number, and case. English learners should note that упрямый is more common in modern Russian, while заклятый might sound outdated or dramatic.

• Avoid direct word-for-word translation; instead, select based on context (e.g., use упрямый for personal traits, заклятый for supernatural themes).
• In formal contexts, Russian prefers more neutral synonyms like настойчивый to avoid negative implications.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse gender agreement, such as saying "упрямый женщина" instead of "упрямая женщина" (correct: упрямая женщина). Error: Using the masculine form for feminine nouns. Correction: Always check the noun's gender and adjust the adjective accordingly, e.g., "She is cussed" translates to "Она упрямая," not "Она упрямый."

Another common mistake is overusing заклятый in casual speech; it can sound overly dramatic. Error: Saying "заклятый друг" for a stubborn friend. Correction: Use "упрямый друг" for a more natural tone, as заклятый implies a cursed or eternal quality.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like упрямый often reflect the value placed on resilience and determination, stemming from historical contexts like rural life or wartime endurance. However, заклятый carries echoes of folklore, such as in fairy tales where curses (заклятия) play a role, highlighting Russia's rich tradition of superstition and storytelling.

Related Concepts:

• настойчивость (naststavchivost') - Persistence
• упорство (uporstvo) - Tenacity
• заклятие (zaklyatie) - Curse or spell