Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'diabolical'

English Word: diabolical

Key Russian Translations:

• дьявольский /dʲɪˈvɔlʲskʲɪj/ - [Informal, commonly used in everyday descriptions of extreme wickedness]
• диаболический /dʲiəˌbɔlʲiˈtɕɪskʲɪj/ - [Formal, often in literary or philosophical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (used occasionally in narratives, media, and discussions of morality, but not in casual everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding adjective forms and nuanced vocabulary; the informal translation may be easier for learners than the formal one)

Pronunciation (Russian):

дьявольский: /dʲɪˈvɔlʲskʲɪj/

диаболический: /dʲiəˌbɔlʲiˈtɕɪskʲɪj/

Note on дьявольский: The initial "дь" sound is a palatalized "d" which can be tricky for English speakers; it sounds like a soft "d" followed by a "y" glide. Pronounce it with emphasis on the second syllable.

Note on диаболический: This word has a more complex structure; focus on the stress on the third syllable to avoid sounding unnatural.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Extremely wicked, cruel, or devilish in nature.

Translation(s) & Context:

• дьявольский - Used in informal contexts to describe something evil or scheming, such as in stories or personal anecdotes.
• диаболический - Applied in formal or intellectual discussions, like in philosophy or literature, to denote profound evil.

Usage Examples:

• Его дьявольский план разрушил всю компанию. (His diabolical plan destroyed the entire company.)

  English: His diabolical plan destroyed the entire company. (This example shows the word in a business or narrative context, highlighting deceit.)

• Дьявольский смех эхом разнёсся по комнате. (The diabolical laughter echoed through the room.)

  English: The diabolical laughter echoed through the room. (Demonstrates use in descriptive, atmospheric settings, like horror stories.)

• Диаболический замысел философа шокировал аудиторию. (The diabolical scheme of the philosopher shocked the audience.)

  English: The diabolical scheme of the philosopher shocked the audience. (Illustrates formal usage in intellectual or historical contexts.)

• Её дьявольская хитрость помогла ей выиграть спор. (Her diabolical cunning helped her win the argument.)

  English: Her diabolical cunning helped her win the argument. (Shows the word in interpersonal, everyday manipulative scenarios.)

• В романе описывается диаболический характер главного злодея. (The novel describes the diabolical character of the main villain.)

  English: The novel describes the diabolical character of the main villain. (Exemplifies literary application with varied grammar structures.)

2. Extremely unpleasant or badly made (informal usage, e.g., in British English).

Translation(s) & Context:

• дьявольский - Informally used to express frustration, similar to "awful" in English, but with a stronger evil connotation.

Usage Examples:

• Эта дьявольская погода испортила наш пикник. (This diabolical weather ruined our picnic.)

  English: This diabolical weather ruined our picnic. (Context: Everyday complaints about nature or inconvenience.)

• Дьявольский вкус этой еды заставил меня отказаться от ужина. (The diabolical taste of this food made me skip dinner.)

  English: The diabolical taste of this food made me skip dinner. (Shows hyperbolic use in casual conversations.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are adjectives, which in Russian must agree with the nouns they modify in gender, number, and case. They follow standard first-declension adjective patterns, meaning they are inflected regularly.

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • зловещий (zloveshchiy) - More neutral, meaning sinister or ominous; used for subtle evil.
  • demonicheskiy (демонический) - Emphasizes demonic aspects, similar to diabolical but with a supernatural twist.
• Antonyms:
  • ангельский (angel'skiy) - Meaning angelic or pure.
  • благой (blagoy) - Meaning benevolent or kind.

Related Phrases:

• Дьявольский замысел - A diabolical scheme; used in plotting or intrigue contexts.
• Диаболический ум - A diabolical mind; refers to intellectual evil, often in psychological discussions.
• Дьявольская хитрость - Diabolical cunning; highlights clever but malicious behavior in everyday language.

Usage Notes:

Choose "дьявольский" for informal, everyday situations where you want to convey strong negativity, as it mirrors the British English usage of "diabolical" for something awful. "Диаболический" is better for formal or literary contexts, aligning with its Latin roots. Be mindful of gender and case agreement in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match the noun. For English learners, start with "дьявольский" if you're at B2 level, as it's more intuitive.

• Context tip: Avoid overuse in casual speech to prevent sounding dramatic.
• Translation guidance: "Diabolical" often translates to "дьявольский" in modern Russian, but verify the tone—formal texts may require "диаболический".

Common Errors:

One common mistake is failing to decline the adjective correctly, e.g., saying "дьявольский планa" instead of "дьявольского плана" in the genitive case. Correct: Use the proper form based on the noun's case. Error example: "Я видел дьявольский" (incorrect if referring to a feminine noun); Correct: "Я видел дьявольскую" for a feminine object. Another error is confusing it with "demonicheskiy," which implies supernatural elements—use "дьявольский" for human wickedness.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "дьявольский" often evoke references to folklore and Orthodox Christianity, where the devil (дьявол) represents ultimate evil. This can add a layer of moral or spiritual depth in literature, such as in Dostoevsky's works, where diabolical themes explore human sin and redemption.

Related Concepts:

• демон (demon)
• зло (evil)
• искушение (temptation)