Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'envy'

English Word: envy

Key Russian Translations:

• зависть [ˈzavʲɪsʲtʲ] - [Noun, Formal or Informal, Singular]
• завидовать [zəvʲɪˈdavatʲ] - [Verb, Informal, Used in everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly encountered in literature, conversations, and media, but not as ubiquitous as basic everyday vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of noun declensions for 'зависть' and verb conjugations for 'завидовать'. For 'завидовать', it may be slightly more challenging due to imperfective aspect.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

зависть: [ˈzavʲɪsʲtʲ]

Note on зависть: The stress falls on the first syllable; be mindful of the palatalized 'в' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

Audio: []

завидовать: [zəvʲɪˈdavatʲ]

Note on завидовать: This is an imperfective verb; the stress shifts in different forms, such as [zəvʲɪˈdavaj] in the imperative. Pronunciation varies slightly by region, with a softer 'в' in standard Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck. (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• зависть - Used in both formal contexts (e.g., psychological discussions) and informal everyday conversations to express jealousy without aggression.

Usage Examples:

• Его зависть к богатству соседа заставила его переосмыслить свою жизнь.

  His envy of his neighbor's wealth made him rethink his own life.

• Зависть — это естественное чувство, но оно может быть разрушительным.

  Envy is a natural feeling, but it can be destructive.

• В детстве моя зависть к игрушкам друзей была сильной, но временной.

  In childhood, my envy of my friends' toys was strong but temporary.

• Зависть к чужим успехам иногда мотивирует, а иногда отталкивает.

  Envy of others' successes can sometimes motivate, and sometimes repel.

• Её зависть проявилась в молчаливом наблюдении за коллегами.

  Her envy manifested in silent observation of her colleagues.

Meaning 2: To feel envy towards someone or something. (Verb form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• завидовать - Commonly used in informal speech to describe ongoing feelings of envy, often in personal narratives or emotional discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Я завидую твоему умению путешествовать так часто.

  I envy your ability to travel so often.

• Она завидовала его спокойствию в стрессовых ситуациях.

  She envied his calmness in stressful situations.

• Мы часто завидовали богатым, забывая о своем собственном счастье.

  We often envied the rich, forgetting our own happiness.

• Завидовать чужому успеху — это нормально, но важно не зацикливаться на этом.

  Enying someone else's success is normal, but it's important not to obsess over it.

• Он завидовал ей, потому что она всегда была в центре внимания.

  He envied her because she was always the center of attention.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'зависть' (a feminine noun, 3rd declension):

It follows standard Russian noun declension patterns with changes based on case and number. It is invariable in plural forms but changes in singular cases.

For 'завидовать' (an imperfective verb, 1st conjugation):

It is a regular verb but follows imperfective aspect rules. It conjugates based on tense, person, and number, with no irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: ревность [revnost'] (more intense, often linked to relationships) - Used when envy involves possessiveness; завистливость [zavistlivost'] (a state of being envious) - Applies to habitual envy.
• Antonyms: удовлетворение [udovletvoreniye] (satisfaction) - Used to describe contentment with one's own situation; равнодушие [ravnodushiye] (indifference) - Indicates lack of emotional response.

Related Phrases:

• Зеленая зависть [Zelënaya zavist'] - Literal: "Green envy"; English explanation: A phrase for intense jealousy, similar to "green with envy" in English, often used in informal contexts to describe overt resentment.
• Завидовать белой зависти [Zavidovat' belyoy zavisti] - Literal: "To envy with white envy"; English explanation: Means to envy in a positive, non-malicious way, implying admiration without bitterness.
• Не завидовать [Ne zavidovat'] - Literal: "Not to envy"; English explanation: Used in expressions of contentment, e.g., in proverbs about self-acceptance.

Usage Notes:

'зависть' directly corresponds to the noun form of 'envy' and is neutral in tone, while 'завидовать' matches the verb form and emphasizes an ongoing state. In Russian, these words are often used in emotional or psychological contexts; however, 'зависть' can carry a more negative connotation in formal settings. Choose 'завидовать' for dynamic situations and be aware of aspect: it's imperfective, so it describes habitual or ongoing envy. In informal speech, it's common to pair these with prepositions like 'к' (to) for the object of envy, e.g., "завидовать кому-то" (to envy someone).

Common Errors:

• Error: Incorrectly conjugating 'завидовать' in the present tense, e.g., saying "Я завидуюет" instead of "Я завидую". Correct: "Я завидую" – This mistake often occurs due to confusion with other verb patterns; remember, it follows first conjugation rules.

• Error: Using 'зависть' without proper declension, e.g., saying "о зависть" in genitive contexts instead of "о зависти". Correct: Always adjust for case, as in "страх зависти" (fear of envy). Explanation: English learners forget Russian's case system, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing with 'ревность', using it interchangeably for 'envy'. Correct: 'Ревность' implies jealousy in relationships, while 'зависть' is broader. Explanation: This can alter the meaning; context matters in Russian to avoid miscommunication.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'зависть' is often portrayed in literature and folklore as a destructive force, as seen in works like those of Chekhov, where it symbolizes social discontent. The phrase 'зеленая зависть' draws from Western influences but is adapted to reflect Russia's historical emphasis on communal equality, highlighting how envy can undermine personal and societal harmony.

Related Concepts:

• ревность
• злоба
• гордость