Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Disagreeable'

English Word: Disagreeable

Key Russian Translations:

• неприятный [nʲɪprʲɪˈjatnɨj] - [Formal/Informal, Adjective]
• несимпатичный [nʲɪsʲɪmˈpatʲɪtɕnɨj] - [Informal, Adjective, Often for people]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

неприятный: [nʲɪprʲɪˈjatnɨj]

Note on неприятный: Stress falls on the third syllable. The 'я' is pronounced as a soft 'ya' sound, which may be challenging for non-native speakers.

несимпатичный: [nʲɪsʲɪmˈpatʲɪtɕnɨj]

Note on несимпатичный: Stress on the third syllable. Pay attention to the soft 'т' sound before 'и'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Unpleasant (General sense of discomfort or displeasure)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неприятный - Used for situations, weather, or experiences that cause discomfort or displeasure.

Usage Examples:

• Этот запах очень неприятный.

  This smell is very disagreeable.

• У нас был неприятный разговор.

  We had a disagreeable conversation.

• Погода сегодня неприятная, холодно и сыро.

  The weather today is disagreeable, cold, and damp.

2. Unpleasant or Unlikable (Referring to a person’s character or demeanor)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неприятный - Can describe a person’s behavior or attitude as off-putting.
• несимпатичный - Often used to describe someone who is not likable or comes across as unfriendly.

Usage Examples:

• Он показался мне неприятным человеком.

  He seemed like a disagreeable person to me.

• Она несимпатичная, всегда грубит.

  She is disagreeable, always rude.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

неприятный (Adjective): Follows standard Russian adjective declension based on gender, number, and case.

несимпатичный (Adjective): Follows similar adjective declension rules as above. Refer to standard grammar resources for full declension.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for неприятный:

• отвратительный (more intense, 'disgusting')
• противный (informal, 'nasty')

Synonyms for несимпатичный:

• нелюбезный (formal, 'unfriendly')
• отталкивающий (stronger, 'repulsive')

Antonyms for both:

• приятный ('pleasant')
• симпатичный ('likable, nice')

Related Phrases:

• неприятный сюрприз - 'disagreeable surprise' (an unexpected negative event)
• неприятное чувство - 'disagreeable feeling' (a sense of discomfort or unease)
• несимпатичный тип - 'disagreeable type' (an unlikable person, informal)

Usage Notes:

• неприятный is more versatile and can apply to both inanimate objects (e.g., weather, smells) and personal interactions, while несимпатичный is typically reserved for describing people or their traits.
• Be mindful of the context and tone, as calling someone несимпатичный can be quite direct and potentially offensive in certain situations.
• Both words are adjectives and must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, following standard Russian grammar rules.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using несимпатичный to describe inanimate objects. For example, saying "Этот запах несимпатичный" is incorrect.

  Correct Usage: Use неприятный instead: "Этот запах неприятный" (This smell is disagreeable).

• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement. For example, saying "Она неприятный" instead of matching gender with "Она неприятная."

  Correct Usage: Ensure the adjective matches the noun: "Она неприятная" (She is disagreeable).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, describing someone as несимпатичный can carry a stronger negative connotation than in English, often implying a deeper dislike or lack of personal connection. Russians may prefer indirect criticism or softer expressions to avoid confrontation, so use such terms cautiously in social settings.

Related Concepts:

• неприязнь (dislike, aversion)
• раздражение (irritation)
• конфликт (conflict)