Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'disaffected'

English Word: disaffected

Key Russian Translations:

• недовольный [nʲɪdɐˈvolʲnɨj] - [Formal, commonly used in written and spoken contexts to describe dissatisfaction or alienation]
• отчужденный [ɐtʂʊˈʐdʲɛnːɨj] - [Formal, less common, specifically for emotional or social alienation]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear regularly in literature, news, and everyday discussions about politics or social issues, but not as frequently as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective forms and nuanced emotional language; learners at this level can grasp it with practice, though variations in usage may pose challenges for beginners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

недовольный: [nʲɪdɐˈvolʲnɨj]

Note on недовольный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("vol"), and the soft 'н' (nʲ) can be tricky for English speakers; practice the palatalized sound to avoid sounding overly harsh.

отчужденный: [ɐtʂʊˈʐdʲɛnːɨj]

Note on отчужденный: The 'ч' (ʂ) is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to the 'ch' in 'loch'; be mindful of the long 'н' (nː) for accurate pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Dissatisfied or discontented, often in a social or political context (e.g., feeling alienated from a group or cause).

Translation(s) & Context:

• недовольный - Used in formal discussions of dissatisfaction, such as in politics or workplaces, to describe someone who is unhappy but not necessarily rebellious.
• отчужденный - Applied in contexts involving emotional distance, like in psychology or relationships, to indicate a sense of estrangement.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Многие молодые люди в стране чувствуют себя недовольными из-за экономических проблем. (Many young people in the country feel disaffected due to economic issues.)

  English Translation: Many young people in the country feel disaffected due to economic issues.

• Русский: После скандала, отчужденный сотрудник ушел из компании. (After the scandal, the disaffected employee left the company.)

  English Translation: After the scandal, the disaffected employee left the company.

• Русский: Недовольные граждане организовали протест против правительства. (Disaffected citizens organized a protest against the government.)

  English Translation: Disaffected citizens organized a protest against the government.

• Русский: В романе главный герой изображен как отчужденный от общества индивид. (In the novel, the main character is portrayed as a disaffected individual from society.)

  English Translation: In the novel, the main character is portrayed as a disaffected individual from society.

• Русский: Из-за коррупции, недовольные избиратели бойкотировали выборы. (Due to corruption, disaffected voters boycotted the elections.)

  English Translation: Due to corruption, disaffected voters boycotted the elections.

Meaning 2: Alienated or estranged, particularly in personal relationships (a more emotional connotation).

Translation(s) & Context:

• отчужденный - Best for interpersonal contexts, emphasizing emotional detachment rather than general dissatisfaction.
• недовольный - Can be used but is less precise; reserved for broader discontent.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Отчужденный ребенок отказывался общаться с родителями. (The disaffected child refused to communicate with their parents.)

  English Translation: The disaffected child refused to communicate with their parents.

• Русский: В браке он стал недовольным и отчужденным из-за постоянных ссор. (In the marriage, he became disaffected and alienated due to constant arguments.)

  English Translation: In the marriage, he became disaffected and alienated due to constant arguments.

• Русский: Недовольные друзья разорвали связи после предательства. (Disaffected friends severed ties after the betrayal.)

  English Translation: Disaffected friends severed ties after the betrayal.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives like these follow standard patterns for first-declension adjectives.

For недовольный (an adjective):

For отчужденный, the inflections are similar:

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

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • разочарованный (razocharovannyj) - Similar to 'disillusioned', often used for deeper disappointment.
  • непримиримый (neprimirimyj) - Implies unyielding dissatisfaction, more intense in conflicts.
• Antonyms:
  • довольный (dovol'nyy) - Directly opposite, meaning satisfied or content.
  • лояльный (loyal'nyy) - Meaning loyal or faithful, contrasting with alienation.

Related Phrases:

• недовольные массы - Refers to 'disaffected masses', often in political contexts.
• отчужденный от общества - Means 'alienated from society', used in social or psychological discussions.
• выразить недовольство - To 'express dissatisfaction', a common phrase in everyday complaints.

Usage Notes:

недовольный is the most direct translation for 'disaffected' in formal contexts, such as politics or social commentary, and aligns closely with English nuances of discontent. Use отчужденный for more emotional or relational scenarios. Be mindful of gender and case agreements in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match the noun they describe. For English learners, choose недовольный in broader contexts and отчужденный when emphasizing isolation. Avoid overusing in informal speech, as these words can sound overly literary.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing недовольный with разочарованный, leading to misuse like saying "Он разочарованный работой" when meaning disaffected in a social sense. Correct: Use недовольный for general dissatisfaction. Explanation: разочарованный implies a loss of initial enthusiasm, while недовольный is about ongoing discontent.

• Error: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., saying "недовольный женщина" instead of "недовольная женщина". Correct: Always adjust for gender and case. Explanation: This is a common grammatical slip for English speakers unused to declensions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like недовольный often appear in discussions of historical events, such as the revolutions or Soviet-era dissidence, where 'disaffected' individuals played key roles. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on collective discontent as a driver for social change, unlike in some Western contexts where individual alienation is more highlighted.

Related Concepts:

• революционный (revolyutsionnyy)
• диссидент (dissident)
• социальное отчуждение (sotsial'noe otchuzhdenie)