Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'demure'

English Word: demure

Key Russian Translations:

• Скромный [ˈskrom.nɨj] - [Formal, commonly used in descriptive contexts]
• Сдержанный [sdʲɪrˈʐan.nɨj] - [Informal, implies restraint or composure]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are encountered in everyday Russian literature and conversations, but not as frequently as basic adjectives.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Involves understanding nuances of personality descriptions; for "Скромный", it's B1, while "Сдержанный" might lean towards B2 due to subtle emotional connotations.

Pronunciation (Russian):

Скромный: [ˈskrom.nɨj]

Note on Скромный: The stress is on the first syllable ("skrom"), and the "о" is pronounced as a short "o" sound. Be careful with the soft "н" in casual speech.

Сдержанный: [sdʲɪrˈʐan.nɨj]

Note on Сдержанный: The "ж" sound is a soft, palatalized "zh" (like in "measure"), and the word often has a rolling "r" in native speech.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Reserved, modest, or shy in behavior and appearance.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Скромный - Used in formal or everyday contexts to describe someone who is unassuming or avoids drawing attention.
• Сдержанный - Applied in informal settings to indicate emotional restraint, such as in social interactions.

Usage Examples:

• Она всегда была скромной в своей одежде и манерах. (Ona vsegda byla skromnoy v svoyey odezhde i manerakh.)

  She was always demure in her clothing and manners.

• Этот скромный молодой человек не любит быть в центре внимания. (Etot skromnyy molodoy chelovek ne lyubit byt' v tsentre vnimaniya.)

  This demure young man doesn't like being the center of attention.

• В кругу друзей она становится более сдержанной, чтобы не обидеть кого-то. (V krugu druzey ona stanovitsya boleye sderzhannoy, chtoby ne obidet' kogo-to.)

  Among friends, she becomes more demure to avoid offending anyone.

• Её скромность в речи делает её привлекательной для собеседников. (Yeyo skromnost' v rechi delayet yeyo privlekatel'noy dlya sobesednikov.)

  Her demure speech makes her appealing to conversation partners.

• Сдержанный подход к работе помогает избежать конфликтов. (Sderzhannyy podkhod k rabote pomogayet izbezhat' konfliktov.)

  A demure approach to work helps avoid conflicts.

Meaning 2: Characterized by quiet dignity or simplicity.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Скромный - Often used in cultural or artistic contexts to describe understated elegance.

Usage Examples:

• Интерьер комнаты был скромным, но элегантным. (Inter'yer komnaty byl skromnym, no elegantnym.)

  The room's decor was demure but elegant.

• Её скромный стиль жизни отражает традиционные ценности. (Yeyo skromnyy stil' zhizni otrazhaet traditsionnye tsennosti.)

  Her demure lifestyle reflects traditional values.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Скромный" and "Сдержанный" are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern of agreement with nouns.

For "Скромный" (regular adjective):

For "Сдержанный" (also regular):

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Смиренный (smirennyy) - More religious connotation, implying humility.
  • Невинный (nevinnyy) - Focuses on innocence, with subtle differences in emotional depth.
• Antonyms:
  • Дерзкий (derzkiy) - Bold or audacious.
  • Вызывающий (vyzyvayushchiy) - Provocative or attention-seeking.

Related Phrases:

• Скромный образ жизни (skromnyy obraz zhizni) - A demure way of life; refers to a simple, unpretentious lifestyle.
• Быть сдержанным в эмоциях (byt' sderzhannym v emotsiyakh) - To be demure in emotions; means controlling one's feelings in social settings.
• Скромная внешность (skromnaya vneshnost') - Demure appearance; describes understated physical presentation.

Usage Notes:

"Demure" aligns closely with "Скромный" in formal contexts, but choose "Сдержанный" for situations involving emotional control. In Russian, these adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key grammatical rule. For English speakers, be mindful of cultural nuances: Russians may use these words to praise modesty, especially in professional or social scenarios, but overuse can imply dullness. When deciding between translations, consider the context—formal writing favors "Скромный."

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Скромный" interchangeably with "Невинный" without context. Correct: "Скромный" implies modesty, not innocence. Example of error: Saying "Она невинная" for a demure person; Correct: "Она скромная" to avoid implying naivety.

• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., using masculine form with a feminine noun. Correct: Match forms as shown in the inflections table above. This is common for beginners due to English's lack of gender agreement.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "Скромный" often carry positive connotations tied to traditional values, such as those emphasized in literature by authors like Tolstoy. Modesty is seen as a virtue in social interactions, contrasting with more extroverted Western norms, which can help English speakers understand the deeper respect for restraint in Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• Тихий (tikhiy) - Quiet or calm.
• Скромность (skromnost') - Modesty as a concept.
• Уравновешенный (uravnovpeshennyy) - Balanced or even-tempered.