Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dispirited'

English Word: dispirited

Key Russian Translations:

• расстроенный [rɐˈstrɔɪnɨj] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday speech]
• обескураженный [ɐbʲɪskʊˈraʐɨnɨj] - [Formal, used in written or professional contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear regularly in literature, conversations, and media, but not as frequently as basic everyday vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 Intermediate (Requires understanding of adjective inflections and emotional vocabulary; suitable for learners with basic conversational skills.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

расстроенный: [rɐˈstrɔɪnɨj]

Note on расстроенный: The stress falls on the second syllable ("str"). Be mindful of the soft 'н' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

обескураженный: [ɐbʲɪskʊˈraʐɨnɨj]

Note on обескураженный: The 'щ' sound is a soft, hissing 'sh' with a following 'ch' element; practice with native speakers for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Lacking in spirit, enthusiasm, or energy; feeling disheartened or demoralized

Translation(s) & Context:

• расстроенный - Often used in informal settings to describe temporary emotional states, such as after a disappointment.
• обескураженный - Applied in more formal or reflective contexts, implying a deeper sense of discouragement.

Usage Examples:

• Он был расстроенный после провала экзамена и не хотел разговаривать.

  He was dispirited after failing the exam and didn't want to talk.

• Команда чувствовала себя обескураженной из-за постоянных неудач в играх.

  The team felt dispirited due to their ongoing losses in games.

• После потери работы она стала расстроенной и проводила дни в одиночестве.

  After losing her job, she became dispirited and spent days in solitude.

• Обескураженный критикой, писатель решил пересмотреть свой роман.

  Dispirited by the criticism, the writer decided to revise his novel.

• Дети были расстроенными, когда им пришлось отменить пикник из-за дождя.

  The children were dispirited when they had to cancel the picnic due to the rain.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify, following standard patterns for most adjectives. Here are the inflections for each:

For "расстроенный" (an adjective):

For "обескураженный" (also an adjective):

It follows the same inflection pattern as "расстроенный" above, with no irregularities. For example: обескураженная (feminine), обескураженное (neuter), etc.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • огорченный (ogorchennyy) - Similar to расстроенный, but often implies more sadness than discouragement.
  • унылый (unylıy) - Conveys a sense of gloominess, with a slight nuance of ongoing melancholy.
• Antonyms:
  • веселый (veselyy) - Cheerful or lively.
  • воодушевленный (voudushevlennyy) - Inspired or enthusiastic.

Related Phrases:

• Быть в расстроенных чувствах - To be in low spirits; often used to describe emotional downturns in personal narratives.
• Обескураженный взгляд - A dispirited look; common in descriptions of facial expressions in literature.
• Расстроенный и подавленный - Dispirited and depressed; a phrase combining emotions for emphasis in psychological contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Dispirited" corresponds closely to "расстроенный" in informal English-Russian exchanges, but "обескураженный" is better for formal or literary contexts where a sense of deeper discouragement is needed. Always ensure the adjective agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies, as Russian grammar requires this. For example, use "расстроенная" for feminine subjects. When choosing between translations, opt for "расстроенный" in everyday conversation and "обескураженный" in professional or written settings to match the appropriate register.

Common Errors:

• English learners often misuse the case endings, e.g., saying "Я видел расстроенный человек" instead of "Я видел расстроенного человека" (Genitive case required after "видел"). Correct usage: Ensure proper inflection based on the sentence structure.

• Confusing with similar words: Learners might use "грустный" (sad) interchangeably with "расстроенный," but "грустный" implies a more passive sadness, while "расстроенный" suggests active disappointment. Example of error: "Он грустный" when "расстроенный" is needed; correct: "Он расстроенный после новости."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions of being "dispirited" like "расстроенный" often tie into the broader theme of "toska" (a deep spiritual anguish). This reflects historical influences from literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works), where emotional states are introspective and tied to personal or societal struggles, helping users understand the nuanced emotional depth in Russian communication.

Related Concepts:

• уныние (unynie) - Despondency
• подавленность (podavlenost') - Oppression or suppression of spirits
• апатия (apatiya) - Apathy