Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Desperation'

English Word: desperation

Key Russian Translations:

• отчаяние [ɐtˈtɕajɪnʲɪjə] - [Neutral, Most Common]
• безысходность [bʲɪzɨˈsxodnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, Emphatic]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "отчаяние"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "безысходность"

Pronunciation (Russian):

отчаяние: [ɐtˈtɕajɪnʲɪjə]

Note on отчаяние: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "ч" sound is a soft affricate, similar to 'ch' in "church."

безысходность: [bʲɪzɨˈsxodnəsʲtʲ]

Note on безысходность: Stress on the third syllable. The "ы" vowel is a unique Russian sound, pronounced with the tongue pulled back.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A state of despair or hopelessness (Emotional)

Translation(s) & Context:

• отчаяние - Commonly used for personal despair or emotional distress in various contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Она была в отчаянии после потери работы.

  She was in desperation after losing her job.

• Его голос дрожал от отчаяния.

  His voice trembled with desperation.

• Отчаяние охватило всю семью.

  Desperation gripped the entire family.

2. A sense of inevitability or futility (Situational)

Translation(s) & Context:

• безысходность - Used to describe a situation with no way out, often in formal or literary contexts.

Usage Examples:

• В его словах чувствовалась безысходность.

  There was a sense of desperation in his words.

• Безысходность положения заставила нас сдаться.

  The desperation of the situation forced us to give up.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

отчаяние (Noun, Neuter): Follows the standard neuter noun declension in Russian.

безысходность (Noun, Feminine): Follows the standard feminine noun declension with soft stem.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for отчаяние:

• уныние
• тоска

Note: "уныние" often implies a milder, melancholic despair, while "тоска" can suggest longing mixed with sadness.

Antonyms for отчаяние:

• надежда
• оптимизм

Related Phrases:

• впасть в отчаяние - To fall into despair.
• крик отчаяния - A cry of desperation.
• чувство безысходности - A feeling of hopelessness.

Usage Notes:

• "отчаяние" is the most common and versatile translation for "desperation," suitable for both personal emotions and general contexts.
• "безысходность" is more specific, often used in formal or literary contexts to emphasize a lack of solutions or escape.
• Be mindful of the context when choosing between translations, as "безысходность" may sound overly dramatic in casual speech.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "безысходность" in casual conversation about personal feelings.
  Incorrect: Я чувствую безысходность из-за плохой оценки.
  Correct: Я чувствую отчаяние из-за плохой оценки.
  Explanation: "безысходность" is too formal and strong for everyday personal despair; "отчаяние" is more natural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions of despair like "отчаяние" often carry a deep emotional weight, reflecting a historical and literary tradition of exploring human suffering and resilience. This word might appear frequently in Russian literature, such as in the works of Dostoevsky or Tolstoy, where characters often grapple with existential despair.

Related Concepts:

• печаль
• горе
• страдание