Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'demented'

English Word: demented

Key Russian Translations:

• сумасшедший [ˌsumɐˈʂɛdʂɨj] - [Informal, Often pejorative]
• безумный [bʲɪˈzumnɨj] - [Neutral to Literary, Can be metaphorical]
• помешанный [pɐˈmʲeʂɨnɨj] - [Informal, Often implies obsession]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in specific contexts)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; varies slightly by translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сумасшедший: [ˌsumɐˈʂɛdʂɨj]

Note on сумасшедший: Stress falls on the third syllable; the "ш" sound is a retroflex fricative, distinct from English "sh".

безумный: [bʲɪˈzumnɨj]

Note on безумный: Stress on the second syllable; the "б" is palatalized, softer than English "b".

помешанный: [pɐˈmʲeʂɨnɨj]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Mentally ill or deranged (Literal)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сумасшедший - Often used colloquially to describe someone acting irrationally or appearing mentally unstable.
• безумный - More neutral or formal, can describe severe mental disturbance.

Usage Examples:

• Он выглядел как сумасшедший, крича на улице.

  He looked demented, shouting in the street.

• Её безумный взгляд пугал всех вокруг.

  Her demented gaze frightened everyone around.

• После аварии он стал вести себя как сумасшедший.

  After the accident, he started behaving like a demented person.

2. Extremely irrational or absurd (Figurative)

Translation(s) & Context:

• безумный - Used metaphorically for ideas, actions, or situations that seem crazy or unreasonable.
• помешанный - Often implies obsession or fixation leading to irrational behavior.

Usage Examples:

• Это был безумный план, но он сработал.

  It was a demented plan, but it worked.

• Он помешанный на этой идее и не слушает никого.

  He’s demented about this idea and won’t listen to anyone.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

сумасшедший (Adjective): Declines according to gender, number, and case in Russian grammar.

Note: Similar declension patterns apply to безумный and помешанный.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• невменяемый (legally insane, formal)
• дурной (foolish, colloquial)

Note: "невменяемый" is more formal and often used in legal contexts, while "дурной" can be less severe, implying silliness.

Antonyms:

• здравомыслящий (sane, rational)
• разумный (reasonable)

Related Phrases:

• сумасшедший дом - "madhouse" (literal or figurative for chaotic place)
• безумная идея - "crazy idea" (used for unrealistic or wild thoughts)
• помешанный на чём-то - "obsessed with something" (indicating fixation)

Usage Notes:

• "сумасшедший" is the most colloquial and can be offensive if used carelessly; it often carries a pejorative tone.
• "безумный" is more versatile, suitable for both literal (mental illness) and figurative (wild, crazy) contexts.
• "помешанный" often implies obsession rather than full mental instability, frequently used with "на" (on) to indicate the object of fixation.
• Choose the translation based on tone and context: avoid "сумасшедший" in formal or sensitive discussions about mental health.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "сумасшедший" in formal or medical contexts. Wrong: "Он сумасшедший пациент." Correct: "Он психически больной пациент." (He is a mentally ill patient.)
• Error: Misusing "помешанный" without specifying the object of obsession. Wrong: "Он помешанный." Correct: "Он помешанный на играх." (He’s obsessed with games.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "сумасшедший" can carry a strong stigma when referring to mental health issues. Historically, mental illness has been a sensitive topic, and direct references may be avoided in polite conversation. Instead, euphemisms or medical terms are preferred in formal settings.

Related Concepts:

• психический (psychiatric)
• невменяемость (insanity, legal term)
• одержимость (obsession)