Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'disgusting'

English Word: disgusting

Key Russian Translations:

• отвратительный /ɐtvrɐˈtʲitʲelʲnɨj/ - [Formal, Adjective]
• мерзкий /ˈmʲɛrz.kʲɪj/ - [Informal, Adjective, Used in everyday conversations]
• противный /prɐˈtʲiv.nɨj/ - [Informal, Adjective, Often used for people or tastes]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are commonly encountered in literature, media, and daily speech, but not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives.

Difficulty: B2 - Intermediate level; requires understanding of adjective inflections and nuanced vocabulary, though the core meaning is straightforward for learners at this stage.

Pronunciation (Russian):

отвратительный: /ɐtvrɐˈtʲitʲelʲnɨj/

мерзкий: /ˈmʲɛrz.kʲɪj/

противный: /prɐˈtʲiv.nɨj/

Note on отвратительный: The stress falls on the fourth syllable; be careful with the palatalized 't' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may soften the vowels.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Causing a strong feeling of revulsion or disgust, often related to appearance, taste, or behavior.

Translation(s) & Context:

• отвратительный - Used in formal contexts, such as describing something morally or aesthetically repulsive, e.g., in literature or critiques.
• мерзкий - Informal, for everyday situations involving physical disgust, like food or weather.
• противный - Informal, often for interpersonal contexts, like annoying people or tastes.

Usage Examples:

• Этот фильм был отвратительным из-за насилия и жестокости. (This film was disgusting due to the violence and cruelty.)

  English Translation: This film was disgusting due to the violence and cruelty.

• Мерзкая погода испортила наш пикник; всё было мокрым и холодным. (The disgusting weather ruined our picnic; everything was wet and cold.)

  English Translation: The disgusting weather ruined our picnic; everything was wet and cold.

• Его поведение на вечеринке было противным; он обижал всех гостей. (His behavior at the party was disgusting; he offended all the guests.)

  English Translation: His behavior at the party was disgusting; he offended all the guests.

• Отвратительная еда в этом ресторане заставила нас уйти. (The disgusting food at this restaurant made us leave.)

  English Translation: The disgusting food at this restaurant made us leave.

• Мерзкий запах из канализации распространился по всему дому. (The disgusting smell from the sewer spread throughout the house.)

  English Translation: The disgusting smell from the sewer spread throughout the house.

Secondary Meaning: Extremely unpleasant or objectionable in a more abstract sense, such as in opinions or ideas.

Translation(s) & Context:

• отвратительный - In formal discussions, e.g., politics or ethics.
• противный - In casual opinions, like disliking a habit.

Usage Examples:

• Его отвратительные идеи о равенстве вызвали споры в обществе. (His disgusting ideas about equality sparked debates in society.)

  English Translation: His disgusting ideas about equality sparked debates in society.

• Противная привычка курить в общественных местах раздражает многих. (The disgusting habit of smoking in public places annoys many.)

  English Translation: The disgusting habit of smoking in public places annoys many.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow standard adjective patterns with some irregularities in certain forms.

Note: These adjectives do not change in short form usage, which is less common but can occur in predicates.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • гадкий (more childlike or fairy-tale connotation)
  • омерзительный (stronger, more intense disgust)
  • отталкивающий (implies repulsion or pushing away)
• Antonyms:
  • приятный (pleasant)
  • привлекательный (attractive)
  • замечательный (remarkable, positive)

Related Phrases:

• Отвратительная погода (Disgusting weather) - Refers to extremely unpleasant weather conditions.
• Мерзкий тип (Disgusting type/person) - Informal way to describe an unpleasant individual.
• Противная еда (Disgusting food) - Used for food that tastes bad or is unappetizing.

Usage Notes:

"Disgusting" translates variably in Russian based on context; use "отвратительный" for formal or written English equivalents, while "мерзкий" or "противный" fit informal speech. Be mindful of gender and case agreements in sentences. In Russian, these words often carry a stronger emotional weight than in English, so they might escalate the tone in conversations. When choosing among translations, opt for "противный" in interpersonal contexts to avoid sounding overly harsh.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the base form without inflection, e.g., saying "Это отвратительный" instead of "Это отвратительно" for neuter subjects. Correct: "Это отвратительно" (This is disgusting). Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify.

• Error: Confusing with similar words, like using "грязный" (dirty) when meaning "disgusting" in a moral sense. Correct: Use "отвратительный" for ethical disgust. Explanation: "Грязный" refers to physical filth, not abstract revulsion.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "отвратительный" are often used in literature and media to critique social issues, reflecting a historical emphasis on moral and aesthetic purity in works by authors like Dostoevsky. This can add a layer of intensity in everyday language, where expressing disgust might be more direct than in English-speaking cultures.

Related Concepts:

• Брезгливый (fastidious)
• Отвращение (disgust, as a noun)
• Гадость (something disgusting or vile)