Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'embitter'

English Word: embitter

Key Russian Translations:

• огорчить [ɐɡɐrʲˈʨʲitʲ] - [Formal; used in contexts involving emotional disappointment]
• озлобить [ɐzlɐˈbitʲ] - [Formal; used for deeper, long-term resentment]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature and everyday conversations about emotions)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and emotional nuances, per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

огорчить: [ɐɡɐrʲˈʨʲitʲ]

Note on огорчить: The stress falls on the second syllable; the 'ч' sound is a soft palatal fricative, which can be challenging for beginners. Variations in regional accents may soften the 'г' sound.

озлобить: [ɐzlɐˈbitʲ]

Note on озлобить: Stress on the third syllable; pay attention to the 'зл' cluster, which might be pronounced more sharply in formal speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To cause someone to feel bitter, resentful, or disappointed, often due to an event or experience.

Translation(s) & Context:

• огорчить - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe temporary emotional upset, such as in personal relationships or news events.
• озлобить - Applied in contexts involving long-term bitterness, like societal issues or personal hardships.

Usage Examples:

• Эта новость огорчила его, и он не мог скрыть слёз. (Eta novost' ogorchila yego, i on ne mog skryt' slyoz.)

  This news embittered him, and he couldn't hide his tears.

• Годы неудач озлобили её, превратив в циничного человека. (Godы neudach ozlobili yeyu, prevrashchaya v tsinnichnogo cheloveka.)

  Years of failures embittered her, turning her into a cynical person.

• Родительское разочарование огорчило детей, но не сломило их дух. (Roditel'skoye razocharovaniye ogorchilo detey, no ne slomilo ikh dukh.)

  Parental disappointment embittered the children but did not break their spirit.

• Политические события озлобили население, вызвав волну протестов. (Politicheskiye sobytiya ozlobili naseleniye, vyzvav volnu protestov.)

  Political events embittered the population, sparking a wave of protests.

• Его неудача в бизнесе огорчила всю семью, но они поддержали его. (Yego neudacha v biznese ogorchila vsyu sem'yu, no oni podderzhali yego.)

  His business failure embittered the whole family, but they supported him.

Meaning 2: To make something or someone more bitter in a figurative sense, such as intensifying negative emotions.

Translation(s) & Context:

• озлобить - Often used in psychological or reflective contexts, emphasizing a hardening of character.

Usage Examples:

• Жизненные трудности озлобили его сердце, но он научился прощать. (Zhiznennyye trudnosti ozlobili yego serdtse, no on nauchilsya proshchat'.)

  Life's hardships embittered his heart, but he learned to forgive.

• Постоянные критики огорчили артиста, но он продолжил творить. (Postoyannыye kritiki ogorchili artistа, no on prodolzhil tvorit'.)

  Constant criticisms embittered the artist, but he continued to create.

• Экономический кризис озлобил рабочих, заставив их бороться за права. (Ekonomicheskiy krizis ozlobil rabochikh, zastaviv ikh borot'sya za prava.)

  The economic crisis embittered the workers, forcing them to fight for their rights.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "огорчить" and "озлобить" are Russian verbs of the first conjugation. They follow standard patterns for imperfective aspects but are perfective in nature, meaning they describe completed actions. Here is a detailed table for their inflections:

Note: These verbs do not have irregular forms, but they require agreement with the subject in gender, number, and tense, which is standard for Russian verbs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • расстроить (rasstroit' - similar but focuses on upsetting; used in less intense contexts)
  • опечалить (opecalit' - emphasizes sadness; often interchangeable in emotional scenarios)
• Antonyms:
  • обрадовать (obradovat' - to gladden or delight)
  • успокоить (uspokoit' - to calm or soothe)

Related Phrases:

• огорчить до глубины души (ogorchit' do glubiny dushi) - To embitter to the core of one's soul; used for profound emotional impact.
• озлобить против кого-то (ozlobit' protiv kogo-to) - To embitter against someone; implies fostering resentment toward a person or group.
• огорчить новостями (ogorchit' novostyami) - To embitter with news; common in contexts of bad tidings.

Usage Notes:

"Огорчить" and "озлобить" are precise equivalents for "embitter" but differ in nuance: "огорчить" suits temporary disappointment, while "озлобить" implies lasting bitterness. In Russian, these verbs are often used in formal writing or speech; avoid them in casual conversations where simpler words like "расстроить" might fit better. Always ensure subject-verb agreement based on gender and number, and consider the perfective aspect for completed actions. When choosing between translations, opt for "озлобить" in contexts of deep emotional transformation.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using the infinitive form incorrectly in sentences, e.g., saying "Я огорчить" instead of "Я огорчил" (for past tense). Correct: "Я огорчил его" (I embittered him). Explanation: Russian verbs must be conjugated; learners often forget past tense endings.
• Mistake: Confusing with synonyms, e.g., using "расстроить" when "озлобить" is needed for long-term effects. Correct: Use "озлобить" for enduring resentment. Explanation: This can dilute the intended meaning; pay attention to context.
• Mistake: Omitting aspect distinctions, e.g., treating "огорчить" as imperfective. Correct: It's perfective, so use for completed actions only. Explanation: Mixing aspects leads to grammatical errors in Russian narratives.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "огорчить" and "озлобить" often appear in literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works) to depict the harsh realities of life, reflecting a national emphasis on emotional depth and resilience. They carry connotations of stoicism, where bitterness is seen as a catalyst for personal growth rather than mere negativity.

Related Concepts:

• гнев (gnev - anger)
• разочарование (razocharovaniye - disappointment)
• обида (obida - resentment)