Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'distasteful'

English Word: distasteful

Key Russian Translations:

• неприятный /nʲɪˈprʲijətnɨj/ - [Formal, Adjective, Used to describe something morally or aesthetically offensive]
• отталкивающий /ɐtɐlʲˈkʲivəjʊʂɨj/ - [Informal, Adjective, Used in everyday contexts for something repulsive or distasteful]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature and formal discussions, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections, suitable for learners with basic Russian grammar knowledge. For 'отталкивающий', it may be B2 due to its less frequent use.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неприятный: /nʲɪˈprʲijətnɨj/

отталкивающий: /ɐtɐlʲˈkʲivəjʊʂɨj/

Note on неприятный: The stress falls on the third syllable ('prʲij'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized consonants; pronounce it with a soft 'r' sound.

Note on отталкивающий: This word has a rolling 'r' and a soft 'l', common in Russian; avoid overemphasizing the ending for natural flow.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Unpleasant or morally offensive (e.g., something causing disgust or disapproval)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неприятный - Used in formal or written contexts, such as describing distasteful behavior in literature or criticism.
• отталкивающий - Applied in informal settings, like everyday conversations about repulsive tastes or appearances.

Usage Examples:

• Его шутки были такими неприятными, что все почувствовали дискомфорт.

  His jokes were so distasteful that everyone felt uncomfortable.

• Этот фильм показался отталкивающим из-за его жестоких сцен.

  This film seemed distasteful because of its brutal scenes.

• Неприятный вкус еды испортил весь ужин.

  The distasteful taste of the food ruined the entire dinner.

• Её отталкивающее поведение на вечеринке отпугнуло гостей.

  Her distasteful behavior at the party drove away the guests.

• В обществе неприятно обсуждать такие отталкивающие темы, как дискриминация.

  In society, it's distasteful to discuss such repulsive topics as discrimination.

Another sense: Aesthetically unappealing (e.g., in art or design)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неприятный - Often used in cultural or artistic critiques to describe something visually or sensorily distasteful.

Usage Examples:

• Картина была неприятной из-за её тёмных цветов и странных форм.

  The painting was distasteful due to its dark colors and odd shapes.

• Этот дизайн интерьера кажется отталкивающим для современного вкуса.

  This interior design seems distasteful to modern tastes.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'неприятный' and 'отталкивающий' are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives follow standard patterns for hard-stem words.

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular inflections; they change endings predictably based on Russian grammar rules.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: отталкивающий (similar but more intense, for physical repulsion), гадкий (informal, for morally distasteful things), мерзкий (colloquial, emphasizing disgust)
• Antonyms: приятный (pleasant, direct opposite in formal contexts)

Related Phrases:

• неприятный сюрприз - An unpleasant surprise; used to describe an unexpected distasteful event.
• отталкивающий вид - A repulsive sight; common in descriptions of visually distasteful scenes.
• неприятный вкус во рту - A distasteful taste in the mouth; refers to sensory experiences.

Usage Notes:

'Неприятный' is the most direct translation for 'distasteful' in formal English-Russian contexts, often aligning with moral or aesthetic judgments, while 'отталкивающий' is better for informal or emotional reactions. Be cautious with word choice based on context: use 'неприятный' in written or professional settings, as it's less intense. Grammatically, these adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key difference from English. For learners, start with 'неприятный' as it's more versatile and commonly taught.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'неприятный' without proper inflection, e.g., saying "неприятный женщина" instead of "неприятная женщина" (for feminine noun).
  Correct: Ensure agreement, as in "неприятная женщина" (distasteful woman). Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender, or it sounds unnatural and confusing.
• Mistake: Confusing with synonyms, e.g., using 'мерзкий' (which implies stronger disgust) when 'distasteful' means mildly offensive.
  Correct: Opt for 'неприятный' for subtlety. Explanation: Overusing intense words can exaggerate meaning, leading to miscommunication in social contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'неприятный' often carry a subtle moral undertone, reflecting the influence of literature (e.g., in works by Tolstoy or Dostoevsky), where distasteful behavior is critiqued as a social flaw. This can tie into broader themes of propriety in Russian society, where maintaining decorum is valued, making such terms common in discussions of etiquette or art.

Related Concepts:

• приятный
• отвратительный
• непристойный