Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dejection'

English Word: dejection

Key Russian Translations:

• уныние [uˈnɨnʲɪje] - [Formal, Literary]
• упадок духа [ʊˈpadək ˈduxa] - [Informal, Everyday speech]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary and psychological contexts, but not everyday casual talk)

Difficulty: B1 Intermediate (Requires understanding of abstract emotions; varies slightly by translation—'уныние' is B1, 'упадок духа' is A2 for basic phrases)

Pronunciation (Russian):

уныние: [uˈnɨnʲɪje]

Note on уныние: The stress falls on the second syllable ('nɨ'). Be careful with the palatalized 'нʲ', which is a common challenge for English speakers. It sounds softer, almost like 'ny' in "canyon".

упадок духа: [ʊˈpadək ˈduxa]

Note on упадок духа: The word is a phrase, so pronounce each part clearly; 'духа' has a soft 'х' sound, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish "loch".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: A state of low spirits, sadness, or emotional downturn, often temporary and not as severe as clinical depression.

Translation(s) & Context:

• уныние - Used in formal, literary, or introspective contexts to describe a deep, lingering sadness, such as in poetry or self-reflection.
• упадок духа - Applied in informal settings to indicate a temporary loss of morale, like after a setback in daily life.

Usage Examples:

• После провала экзамена он впал в уныние, которое длилось несколько дней.

  After failing the exam, he fell into dejection that lasted for several days.

• Её уныние проявлялось в тихом молчании и отсутствии улыбки.

  Her dejection showed in her quiet silence and lack of smiles.

• В трудные времена упадок духа может быть преодолён с помощью друзей.

  In tough times, a dejection can be overcome with the help of friends.

• Упадок духа часто приходит после длительной работы без отдыха.

  Dejection often comes after prolonged work without rest.

• Чтобы избежать уныния, она старалась заниматься хобби.

  To avoid dejection, she tried to engage in hobbies.

Secondary meaning: A decline or lowering in physical or metaphorical state (less common, metaphorical extension).

Translation(s) & Context:

• упадок духа - In metaphorical contexts, such as describing a team's morale drop in sports or business.

Usage Examples:

• Упадок духа в команде привёл к поражению в финале.

  The dejection in the team led to defeat in the finals.

• Его уныние отразилось на работе, вызвав снижение продуктивности.

  His dejection affected his work, causing a decline in productivity.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'уныние' is a neuter noun in Russian, following the standard third declension pattern with some irregularities. It changes based on case and number. 'упадок духа' is a phrase where 'упадок' is a masculine noun (second declension) and 'духа' is genitive of 'дух' (also masculine).

Note: 'уныние' does not have a plural form in common usage as it refers to a state. 'упадок' can be pluralized as 'упадки' in broader contexts, but in this phrase, it remains singular.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • грусть (slight, everyday sadness; less intense than уныние)
  • меланхолия (a more poetic, reflective form of dejection)
• Antonyms:
  • радость (joy, direct opposite in emotional state)
  • восторг (excitement or ecstasy)

Related Phrases:

• падать в уныние - To fall into dejection; used to describe suddenly becoming sad or demoralized.
• выход из упадка духа - Getting out of dejection; refers to recovering from a low emotional state.
• уныние души - Dejection of the soul; a more spiritual or literary expression for deep emotional lows.

Usage Notes:

'Уныние' is a precise match for 'dejection' in formal English, often appearing in literary or psychological discussions, while 'упадок духа' is more idiomatic for everyday contexts. Choose 'уныние' for written or elevated speech to convey a deeper, more enduring sadness. Be mindful of context: in Russian, these words can imply a moral or spiritual dimension, unlike the purely emotional 'dejection' in English. Grammatically, they function as nouns, so ensure correct case agreement with verbs or prepositions.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'уныние' with 'депрессия': Learners might overuse 'депрессия' (clinical depression) for 'dejection'. Incorrect: "Я в депрессии из-за дождя" (implying severe mental health issue). Correct: "Я в унынии из-за дождя" (for temporary sadness). Explanation: 'Dejection' is milder, so stick to 'уныние' to avoid exaggeration.

• Misplacing stress in pronunciation: English speakers often stress the first syllable in 'уныние'. Incorrect pronunciation: [ˈunɨnʲɪje]. Correct: [uˈnɨnʲɪje]. This can make the word sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'уныние' often carries a literary and philosophical connotation, as seen in works by authors like Dostoevsky, where it represents existential despair or spiritual malaise. It's linked to the Russian soul's introspective nature, contrasting with Western views of quick emotional recovery. This makes it a key theme in poetry and Orthodox Christian thought, symbolizing a need for inner reflection rather than immediate action.

Related Concepts:

• апатия (apathy)
• грусть (sadness)
• меланхолия (melancholy)