Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'distraught'

English Word: distraught

Key Russian Translations:

• расстроенный (IPA: rɐˈstrɔɪnɨj) - [Adjective, Informal; Used to describe emotional distress in everyday contexts]
• в смятении (IPA: v smʲɪˈtʲenʲɪj) - [Phrase, Formal; Used in more literary or descriptive scenarios]

Frequency: Medium (Common in emotional discussions but not as frequent as basic adjectives in everyday Russian speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level can grasp the concept with practice, but understanding nuances requires exposure to contextual usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

расстроенный: rɐˈstrɔɪnɨj (The stress is on the third syllable; note the soft 'н' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers)

в смятении: v smʲɪˈtʲenʲɪj (Emphasize the palatalized 'т' and 'н'; the 'smʲ' cluster requires careful articulation)

Note on расстроенный: This word has a rolling 'r' sound, which is common in Russian but may feel unfamiliar; variations in regional accents might soften the vowels.

Note on в смятении: As a prepositional phrase, pronunciation can vary slightly in speed, especially in spoken language.

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Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Extremely worried, upset, or emotionally disturbed

Translation(s) & Context:

• расстроенный - Used in informal conversations to describe someone feeling overwhelmed by personal issues, such as after bad news.
• в смятении - Applied in formal or literary contexts to convey a state of confusion and distress, often in narratives or psychological descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Она была расстроенной после получения плохих новостей. (Ona byla rasstroennoj posle polucheniya plokhikh novostej.)

  She was distraught after receiving bad news. (This example shows the adjective in a simple past context, highlighting emotional reaction.)

• Мужчина в смятении бродил по улицам, не зная, что делать. (Muzhchina v smyatenii brodil po ulitsam, ne znaya, chto delat'.)

  The man was distraught and wandered the streets, not knowing what to do. (Illustrates the phrase in a narrative setting, emphasizing mental turmoil.)

• Дети были расстроенными из-за отмены праздника. (Deti byli rasstroennymi iz-za otmeny prazdnika.)

  The children were distraught because the holiday was canceled. (Demonstrates plural usage in a familial or everyday scenario.)

• В смятении от стресса, она забыла о встрече. (V smyatenii ot stressa, ona zabyla o vstreche.)

  Distraught from stress, she forgot about the meeting. (Shows the phrase combined with other elements to describe cause and effect.)

• Он остался расстроенным, но старался скрыть эмоции. (On ostalsya rasstroennym, no staralsya skryt' emotsii.)

  He remained distraught but tried to hide his emotions. (Highlights the adjective in a reflective, ongoing state.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Расстроенный" is an adjective and follows standard Russian adjective declension patterns, which vary by gender, number, and case. It is a short-form adjective in some contexts but typically used in its full form.

"В смятении" is a phrase and does not inflect as a single word; however, "смятении" is a noun in the prepositional case and follows first-declension patterns for nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • взволнованный (Similar but implies more excitement or agitation; used in dynamic contexts)
  • обеспокоенный (Focuses on worry; often interchangeable in formal settings)
• Antonyms:
  • спокойный (Direct opposite, meaning calm)
  • уравновешенный (Implies balanced or composed emotions)

Related Phrases:

• Быть расстроенным - To be distraught; often used to express ongoing emotional state in personal conversations.
• В смятении чувств - In a state of emotional turmoil; a more poetic phrase for deeper psychological contexts.
• Расстроенный до слёз - Distraught to tears; emphasizes intensity in dramatic situations.

Usage Notes:

"Расстроенный" directly corresponds to "distraught" in informal English contexts, making it a go-to translation for everyday emotional descriptions. However, it should be used cautiously in formal writing, where "в смятении" might be more appropriate. Note the gender agreement in Russian sentences, as adjectives must match the noun's gender, number, and case. When choosing between translations, opt for "расстроенный" in spoken language and "в смятении" for literary or psychological themes to ensure natural flow.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "расстроенный" without proper gender agreement, e.g., saying "Она расстроенный" instead of "Она расстроенная". Correct: Always adjust the ending based on the subject (e.g., "Она расстроенная"). This error stems from English's lack of gender in adjectives.
• Mistake: Confusing it with "расстроить" (to upset), leading to incorrect verb usage, e.g., "Я расстроенный" meaning "I upset" instead of "I am distraught". Correct: Use as an adjective only, like "Я расстроен". Explanation: Learners often mix parts of speech due to similar roots.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions of being "distraught" like "расстроенный" are often linked to stoicism in the face of adversity, influenced by historical events such as wars and economic hardships. This can make such terms more understated in everyday use, reflecting a cultural norm of emotional restraint compared to more expressive Western contexts.

Related Concepts:

• тревога (anxiety)
• отчаяние (despair)
• эмоциональный стресс (emotional stress)