Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'despondent'

English Word: despondent

Key Russian Translations:

• унылый /uˈnɨlɨj/ - [Formal, Literary]
• отчаянный /ɐtˈt͡ɕaɪnɨj/ - [Informal, Everyday speech]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations are encountered in literature, conversations, and media, but not as common as basic emotion words like "sad").

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of nuanced emotional vocabulary and adjective inflections. For 'унылый', it may be slightly easier; for 'отчаянный', which can also mean 'desperate', it might lean towards B2 due to contextual ambiguity).

Pronunciation (Russian):

унылый: /uˈnɨlɨj/

Note on унылый: The stress falls on the first syllable ('u'), and the 'ы' sound is a distinct back vowel, which can be challenging for English speakers—similar to a prolonged 'i' in "bit" but more centralized. Variations in regional accents may soften the 'л' sound.

отчаянный: /ɐtˈt͡ɕaɪnɨj/

Note on отчаянный: The 'т͡ɕ' is a palatalized 'ch' sound, like in "church," but softer. Be cautious with the stress on the second syllable, as misplacing it can alter the perceived meaning.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A state of low spirits caused by loss of hope, courage, or enthusiasm, often leading to a gloomy or disheartened demeanor.

Translation(s) & Context:

• унылый - Used in formal, literary, or descriptive contexts to convey a deep, persistent gloominess, such as in poetry or serious discussions.
• отчаянный - Applied in informal settings to describe someone feeling hopeless or desperate, but it can also imply recklessness, so context is key to avoid confusion.

Usage Examples:

• После поражения в соревновании он стал унылый и замкнулся в себе.

  After the defeat in the competition, he became despondent and withdrew into himself.

• Её унылый взгляд на жизнь изменился после удачного путешествия.

  Her despondent view on life changed after a successful trip.

• Отчаянный человек, потерявший работу, искал любые возможности для выживания.

  The despondent person, having lost their job, was searching for any opportunities to survive.

• В унылый осенний день она решила прогуляться, чтобы развеять грусть.

  On a despondent autumn day, she decided to take a walk to dispel her sadness.

• Он был отчаянный из-за неудач, но друзья помогли ему преодолеть это состояние.

  He was despondent due to setbacks, but his friends helped him overcome that state.

Meaning: Expressing deep disappointment or resignation in response to failure or adversity.

Translation(s) & Context:

• унылый - In contexts involving prolonged emotional states, such as in psychological or reflective writing.
• отчаянный - In everyday conversations about personal crises, emphasizing urgency or despair.

Usage Examples:

• Унылый тон его письма показал, насколько он был разочарован.

  The despondent tone of his letter showed how disappointed he was.

• Отчаянный взгляд в её глазах заставил всех понять глубину её отчаяния.

  The despondent look in her eyes made everyone understand the depth of her despair.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'унылый' and 'отчаянный' are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns, though 'унылый' is regular while 'отчаянный' can have slight irregularities in some forms.

Note: These adjectives do not change in short form (e.g., уныл for masculine), which is used in predicate positions, but full forms are more common in modern usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: печальный (pechal'nyi - more general sadness, often with a melancholic connotation), грустный (grustnyi - everyday sadness, less intense than унылый)
• Antonyms: весёлый (veselyi - cheerful, directly opposite in emotional tone), оптимистичный (optimisticheskiy - optimistic, implying hopefulness)

Note: 'Печальный' is a close synonym to 'унылый' but may imply a deeper emotional weight in literary contexts.

Related Phrases:

• унылый вид - A despondent look (used to describe someone's facial expression indicating gloom).
• отчаянный шаг - A despondent step (referring to a reckless or desperate action in response to hopelessness).
• в унылом настроении - In a despondent mood (a common phrase for describing temporary emotional states).

Usage Notes:

'Унылый' corresponds closely to the formal, introspective nuance of 'despondent' and is ideal for literary or psychological contexts, while 'отчаянный' better captures informal, urgent despair but can overlap with 'desperate'. English users should note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify—e.g., use 'унылый' for masculine singular. In spoken Russian, 'отчаянный' might be preferred in casual conversations to avoid overly formal tones. When choosing between translations, opt for 'унылый' in written or reflective scenarios and 'отчаянный' for immediate emotional expressions.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'унылый' interchangeably with 'грустный' without considering intensity. Incorrect: Он грустный после неудачи (implies mild sadness). Correct: Он унылый после неудачи (conveys deeper despondency). Explanation: 'Грустный' is lighter and more temporary, so it dilutes the meaning of 'despondent'.
• Mistake: Misinflecting the adjective, e.g., saying 'унылый женщина' instead of 'унылая женщина'. Incorrect: унылый женщина. Correct: унылая женщина (feminine form). Explanation: Adjectives in Russian must match the noun's gender; this is a common error for English speakers unused to grammatical agreement.
• Mistake: Overusing 'отчаянный' to mean only 'despondent' without context, potentially implying recklessness. Incorrect: Он отчаянный в повседневной жизни (might sound like he's reckless). Correct: Он унылый в повседневной жизни (for pure despondency). Explanation: Always check context to avoid conflating with its secondary meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'унылый' often evoke themes from literature, such as in the works of Pushkin or Chekhov, where despondency reflects the harsh realities of life, including the long winters and historical hardships. This can add a layer of existential depth, making it a staple in poetry and philosophy, unlike in English where 'despondent' might be more clinical.

Related Concepts:

• грусть (grust' - sadness)
• отчаяние (otchayanie - despair)
• меланхолия (melancholiya - melancholy)