Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'docile'

English Word: docile

Key Russian Translations:

• послушный /pɐˈsluʂnɨj/ - [Adjective, Formal, Used to describe people or animals that are obedient or submissive]

Frequency: Medium (This word is commonly used in everyday Russian, especially in educational, familial, or animal-related contexts.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; learners at this level should grasp basic adjective usage, though inflection patterns may require practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

послушный: /pɐˈsluʂnɨj/

Note on послушный: The stress falls on the second syllable ("slu"). Pay attention to the soft 'ш' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter vowel pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Willing to be taught, trained, or controlled; submissive or obedient, often applied to people, animals, or behavior.

Translation(s) & Context:

• послушный - Used in formal or everyday contexts to describe someone who follows instructions without resistance, such as a child or pet.

Usage Examples:

• Собака была очень послушной во время дрессировки.

  The dog was very docile during training.

• Послушный ребенок всегда выполняет домашние задания без напоминаний.

  The docile child always completes homework without reminders.

• В классе все ученики были послушными, что облегчило урок.

  In the class, all the students were docile, which made the lesson easier.

• Ее послушный характер помог ей быстро адаптироваться к новой работе.

  Her docile nature helped her adapt quickly to the new job.

• Послушный конь следовал командам всадника без колебаний.

  The docile horse followed the rider's commands without hesitation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Послушный is an adjective in Russian, which means it inflects based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard first-declension pattern for adjectives. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • кроткий (krotkiy) - milder connotation, often implying gentleness rather than strict obedience.
  • смирный (smirnyy) - used in more traditional or religious contexts, suggesting humility.
• Antonyms:
  • непослушный (neposlushnyy)
  • взбалмошный (vzbalmoshnyy) - implying unpredictability.

Related Phrases:

• послушный ребенок - A docile child; often used in parenting contexts to describe well-behaved kids.
• быть послушным - To be docile; a phrase emphasizing obedience in behavior or actions.
• послушный как lamb - Docile as a lamb; a common idiomatic expression in Russian for extreme submissiveness.

Usage Notes:

Послушный directly corresponds to "docile" in English but is more commonly used for people or animals in Russian. It carries a neutral to positive connotation in formal settings, such as education or training, but can sound slightly patronizing in informal speech. When choosing between synonyms like кроткий, opt for послушный if the context emphasizes obedience over gentleness. Always ensure agreement in gender, number, and case for grammatical accuracy.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the base form "послушный" without inflection, e.g., saying "Я имею послушный собака" instead of "Я имею послушную собаку."

  Correct: The adjective must agree with the noun's gender and case. Explanation: In Russian, adjectives change endings based on the noun they modify, so "собака" (feminine) requires "послушную."

• Error: Confusing it with similar words like "послушать" (to listen), leading to misuse in sentences.

  Correct: Remember, "послушный" is an adjective, not a verb. For example, use "послушный ученик" instead of incorrectly verbifying it.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of being "послушный" is often emphasized in upbringing and education, reflecting values of respect for authority and family hierarchy. This can stem from historical influences like Soviet-era discipline, where obedience was highly valued, though modern usage is more balanced with individualism.

Related Concepts:

• дисциплинированный (disciplined)
• воспитанный (well-mannered)
• терпеливый (patient)