Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'downhearted'

English Word: downhearted

Key Russian Translations:

• расстроенный /rəsˈtroɪnɨj/ - [Informal, commonly used in everyday emotional contexts]
• опечаленный /ɐˈpʲeʧəlʲɪnɨj/ - [Formal, often in literary or serious discussions]
• унылый /uˈnɨlɨj/ - [Informal, with a connotation of prolonged sadness]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are encountered in conversations about emotions but not as frequently as basic vocabulary.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Involves understanding adjective forms and emotional nuances; varies slightly by translation, with "расстроенный" being slightly easier for beginners.

Pronunciation (Russian):

расстроенный: /rəsˈtroɪnɨj/

опечаленный: /ɐˈpʲeʧəlʲɪnɨj/

унылый: /uˈnɨlɨj/

Note on расстроенный: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the "р" sound, which is rolled in Russian. Variations in informal speech may soften the vowels.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Feeling sad, disheartened, or emotionally low due to disappointment or loss.

Translation(s) & Context:

• расстроенный - Used in casual conversations to describe temporary emotional upset, e.g., after a minor setback.
• опечаленный - Applied in more formal or empathetic contexts, such as consoling someone in grief.
• унылый - Indicates a deeper, more persistent state of sadness, often in reflective or poetic settings.

Usage Examples:

• Он был расстроенный после неудачного собеседования. (He was downhearted after the unsuccessful job interview.)

  Translation: He was downhearted after the unsuccessful job interview. This example shows the word in a common everyday context involving personal disappointment.

• Дети выглядели опечаленными, когда узнали о отмене праздника. (The children looked downhearted when they learned about the party cancellation.)

  Translation: The children looked downhearted when they learned about the party cancellation. Here, it illustrates use in a familial or group setting with a formal tone.

• В дождливый день она чувствовала себя унылой и безнадежной. (On a rainy day, she felt downhearted and hopeless.)

  Translation: On a rainy day, she felt downhearted and hopeless. This demonstrates the word in a metaphorical, atmospheric context.

• Расстроенный друг отказался от ужина, предпочитая побыть одному. (The downhearted friend declined dinner, preferring to be alone.)

  Translation: The downhearted friend declined dinner, preferring to be alone. This highlights the word in social interactions.

• Опечаленный потерей, он решил взять перерыв в работе. (Downhearted by the loss, he decided to take a break from work.)

  Translation: Downhearted by the loss, he decided to take a break from work. This shows formal usage in professional or emotional recovery scenarios.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow standard adjective declension patterns, with some irregularities in certain forms.

Note: These adjectives are invariable in terms of short forms in some predicative uses, e.g., "он расстроен" (he is downhearted).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • грустный (/ɡrusˈtnɨj/) - Similar to "sad," but less intense; used for general melancholy.
  • подавленный (/pəˈdavlʲɪnɨj/) - Implies suppression of emotions, often due to external pressure.
• Antonyms:
  • веселый (/vʲɪˈsʲelɨj/) - Meaning cheerful or joyful.
  • радостный (/rəˈdostnɨj/) - Meaning happy or delighted.

Related Phrases:

• Быть расстроенным - (To be downhearted) - A common phrase for expressing temporary sadness in personal narratives.
• Опечаленный взгляд - (Downhearted gaze) - Used to describe someone's facial expression in emotional scenes.
• Унылый день - (A downhearted day) - Refers to a dreary or monotonous day, often metaphorically.

Usage Notes:

"Downhearted" corresponds most closely to "расстроенный" in informal English-Russian exchanges, but choose "опечаленный" for more formal or written contexts to convey deeper empathy. Be mindful of gender agreement in Russian sentences; for example, use "расстроенная" for feminine subjects. In spoken Russian, these words often pair with verbs like "чувствовать" (to feel) to add emotional depth. When multiple translations are available, select based on the intensity of sadness: "унылый" for chronic states versus "расстроенный" for acute ones.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "расстроенный" interchangeably with "грустный" without considering nuance. Correct: "расстроенный" implies active disappointment, while "грустный" is more passive. Example: Incorrect - "Он грустный из-за погоды" (if disappointment is key); Correct - "Он расстроенный из-за погоды."
• Mistake: Forgetting to decline the adjective properly, e.g., saying "расстроенный дом" instead of "расстроенный человек." Correct: Always match case, gender, and number, as in "в расстроенном состоянии" (in a downhearted state).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions of being "downhearted" like "расстроенный" often tie into the concept of "toska" (a deep spiritual longing or melancholy), which is prevalent in literature (e.g., in works by Chekhov). This reflects a cultural emphasis on introspection and emotional depth, where such words are used to convey not just sadness but a profound sense of life's impermanence.

Related Concepts:

• грусть (grust') - Sadness
• отчаяние (otchayanie) - Despair
• настроение (nastroenie) - Mood