Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'discontented'

English Word: discontented

Key Russian Translations:

• недовольный /nʲɪdɐˈvolʲnɨj/ - [Adjective, Informal; used to describe a general state of dissatisfaction]
• неудовлетворенный /nʲɪʊdɐvletvɐˈrʲɛnɨj/ - [Adjective, Formal; often in more official or psychological contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversations, literature, and media, but not as frequent as basic adjectives like "happy" or "sad")

Difficulty: B1 Intermediate (Requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions; learners at this level can grasp basic usage, but full mastery involves practicing inflections)

Pronunciation (Russian):

недовольный: /nʲɪdɐˈvolʲnɨj/ (The stress is on the third syllable; note the palatalized 'н' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers)

неудовлетворенный: /nʲɪʊdɐvletvɐˈrʲɛnɨj/ (Emphasize the 'о' in the middle; this word has a more complex consonant cluster)

Note on недовольный: Be cautious with the soft sign (ь) which affects pronunciation; it softens the preceding consonant.

Note on неудовлетворенный: This word is longer and may vary slightly in rapid speech; practice with native speakers for fluency.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Feeling or expressing dissatisfaction with a situation, person, or thing.

Translation(s) & Context:

• недовольный - Used in casual, everyday contexts, such as personal complaints or informal discussions.
• неудовлетворенный - Preferred in formal settings, like professional reports or psychological descriptions, to convey deeper discontent.

Usage Examples:

• Он был недовольный результатами экзамена. (He was discontented with the exam results.)

  English Translation: He was discontented with the exam results. (This example shows the adjective in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting personal dissatisfaction.)

• Жители города недовольны новым законом. (The city residents are discontented with the new law.)

  English Translation: The city residents are discontented with the new law. (Demonstrates plural usage in a social or political context.)

• Она чувствовала себя неудовлетворенной своей работой. (She felt discontented with her job.)

  English Translation: She felt discontented with her job. (Illustrates introspective or emotional use in a formal tone.)

• Несмотря на успех, он остался недовольным. (Despite the success, he remained discontented.)

  English Translation: Despite the success, he remained discontented. (Shows the adjective in a concessive clause, emphasizing persistence of feeling.)

• Команда была неудовлетворенной поражением в финале. (The team was discontented with the defeat in the finals.)

  English Translation: The team was discontented with the defeat in the finals. (Applies to group dynamics in a competitive scenario.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "недовольный" and "неудовлетворенный" are adjectives, which in Russian undergo declension based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow regular patterns for most cases.

These adjectives follow the standard first-declension pattern. If the noun is in a different case, the adjective changes accordingly (e.g., in accusative or instrumental). They do not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • раздражённый (razdrazhonnyy) - Similar but implies more irritation; often used for temporary annoyance.
  • обеспокоенный (obespokoennyy) - Conveys worry or unease, with a subtle difference in emotional depth.
• Antonyms:
  • довольный (dovol'nyy) - Directly opposite, meaning satisfied or content.
  • счастливый (schastlivyy) - Means happy, which contrasts with deeper dissatisfaction.

Related Phrases:

• Быть недовольным чем-то (Byть nedovol'nym chem-to) - To be discontented with something; a common expression for expressing complaints.
• Выразить неудовлетворение (Vyrazit' neudovletvoreniye) - To express discontent; used in formal contexts like meetings or feedback.
• Недовольство обществом (Nedovol'stvo obschestvom) - Discontent with society; often in discussions about social issues.

Usage Notes:

"Discontented" translates most directly to "недовольный" in informal settings and "неудовлетворенный" in formal ones. Choose based on context: use "недовольный" for everyday conversations to sound natural, and "неудовлетворенный" for written or professional language. Grammatically, always ensure the adjective agrees with the noun in gender, number, and case. For example, if referring to a female subject, use "недовольная". Be aware that Russian culture often expresses discontent indirectly to maintain politeness, so these words might appear in nuanced phrases.

• Avoid overusing in casual speech, as it can sound dramatic; opt for synonyms if the discontent is minor.
• When learning, practice with sentences to master declensions, as errors here are common for English speakers.

Common Errors:

One common mistake is failing to decline the adjective correctly, e.g., saying "недовольный женщина" instead of "недовольная женщина" (discontented woman). Correct usage: Always match gender and case, as in "недовольная женщина". Another error is confusing it with "раздражённый", leading learners to overuse it for minor irritations; remember, "недовольный" implies a deeper, ongoing dissatisfaction. Example of error: "Я раздражённый работой" (incorrect if meaning discontented); correct: "Я недовольный работой". This happens because English doesn't have strict agreement rules.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressing discontent openly, as with "недовольный", can be seen as rude in some social contexts, especially in hierarchical settings like workplaces. Historically, during the Soviet era, widespread discontent led to terms like this being used in dissident literature, adding a layer of political connotation to words like "неудовлетворенный". Understanding this helps English speakers navigate conversations sensitively.

Related Concepts:

• протест (protest) - Related to expressions of discontent in social movements.
• жалоба (zhaloba) - Complaint, often stemming from discontent.
• неприятие (nepriyatiye) - Rejection or disapproval, a broader concept of dissatisfaction.