Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'downcast'

English Word: downcast

Key Russian Translations:

• унылый [uˈnɨlɨj] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday contexts for emotional states]
• опущенный [ɐˈpuʂʲɪnːɨj] - [Formal, typically for physical downward direction, e.g., gaze or posture]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations appear regularly in literature and conversation but are not among the most common everyday terms.)

Difficulty: B1 Intermediate (For 'унылый' - requires understanding of basic adjective declensions; for 'опущенный' - similar, but context-dependent nuances make it slightly more challenging for learners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

унылый: [uˈnɨlɨj]

Note on унылый: The stress falls on the second syllable ('nɨ'), which is a common feature in Russian adjectives; be careful with the soft 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

опущенный: [ɐˈpuʂʲɪnːɨj]

Note on опущенный: The 'щ' sound (ʂ) is a palatalized fricative, often mispronounced as 'sh'; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Sad or depressed (Referring to a person's emotional state)

Translation(s) & Context:

• унылый - Used in informal or literary contexts to describe someone feeling low-spirited or disheartened, often in personal conversations or narratives.

Usage Examples:

• Он был унылый после неудачи в работе.

  He was downcast after the failure at work.

• Её унылый взгляд выдавал внутреннюю тревогу.

  Her downcast gaze revealed her inner anxiety.

• В унылом настроении он решил прогуляться на свежем воздухе.

  In a downcast mood, he decided to take a walk in the fresh air.

• Унылые лица толпы отражали общую усталость.

  The downcast faces of the crowd reflected general exhaustion.

2. Directed downward (Referring to gaze, eyes, or physical posture)

Translation(s) & Context:

• опущенный - Applied in formal or descriptive contexts, such as in literature or when discussing body language, to indicate something lowered or cast down.

Usage Examples:

• Его опущенные глаза скрывали смущение.

  His downcast eyes hid his embarrassment.

• Опущенный взгляд собеседника указывал на неуверенность.

  The downcast gaze of the interlocutor indicated uncertainty.

• В опущенном положении флаг символизировал поражение.

  The downcast position of the flag symbolized defeat.

• Опущенные плечи говорили о её усталости.

  Her downcast shoulders spoke of her fatigue.

• Опущенный подбородок — признак разочарования.

  A downcast chin is a sign of disappointment.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'унылый' and 'опущенный' are adjectives in Russian, which typically follow standard declension patterns based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and can be inflected irregularly in some cases.

For 'унылый' (an adjective with potential irregularities):

Case/Number/Gender	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Plural
Nominative	унылый	унылая	унылое	унылые
Genitive	унылого	унылой	унылого	унылых
Dative	унылому	унылой	унылому	унылым
Accusative	унылый (if animate)	унылую	унылое	унылые

For 'опущенный':

Case/Number/Gender	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Plural
Nominative	опущенный	опущенная	опущенное	опущенные
Genitive	опущенного	опущенной	опущенного	опущенных

These adjectives do not have irregular forms in most cases, but always check agreement with the noun for correct usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: грустный (grustnyy) - Similar but often more temporary sadness; печальный (pechal'nyy) - Deeper, more melancholic connotation.
• Antonyms: весёлый (veselyy) - Cheerful or lively, contrasting with emotional downcastness.

Related Phrases:

• унылый взгляд - A downcast look, often implying sadness in interpersonal communication.
• опущенные глаза - Downcast eyes, used in contexts of shyness or defeat, with a connotation of submission.
• унылое настроение - A downcast mood, commonly in psychological or everyday discussions.

Usage Notes:

'Унылый' is the most direct translation for the emotional sense of 'downcast' and is preferred in informal settings, while 'опущенный' fits better for physical descriptions. English learners should note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify, which has no direct equivalent in English. For example, use 'унылый' for masculine singular but 'унылая' for feminine. When choosing between translations, opt for 'унылый' in emotional contexts and 'опущенный' in literal ones to avoid ambiguity.

Common Errors:

• Common mistake: Using 'унылый' without proper declension, e.g., saying "унылый женщина" instead of "унылая женщина". Correct usage: Ensure agreement, as in "унылая женщина" (downcast woman). This error stems from English's lack of declensions and can make sentences sound unnatural.

• Another error: Confusing 'унылый' with 'грустный', leading to overuse of 'грустный' for all sadness-related contexts. Explanation: 'Унылый' implies a more prolonged, dreary state, while 'грустный' is for fleeting sorrow; always check context for precision.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions like 'унылый' often appear in literature (e.g., in works by Chekhov or Dostoevsky) to depict the melancholic Russian soul or 'toska', a deep spiritual sadness. This reflects a cultural emphasis on introspection and emotional depth, which might not directly translate to English experiences of 'downcast'.

Related Concepts:

• грусть (grust') - Sadness
• печаль (pechal') - Sorrow
• опущение (opuschenie) - Lowering or depression