Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'excruciating'

English Word: excruciating

Key Russian Translations:

• невыносимый [nʲɪvɨˈnosʲɪmɨj] - [Formal, Adjective; used to describe intense, unbearable pain or situations]
• мучительный [muˈt͡ɕitʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective; often implies prolonged suffering or torment]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are commonly encountered in literary, medical, or everyday discussions of pain, but not as frequent as basic adjectives like "bad".)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract emotional descriptions and adjective inflections. For "невыносимый", it's B2 due to its formal usage; for "мучительный", it's also B2 as it involves nuanced connotations.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

невыносимый: [nʲɪvɨˈnosʲɪmɨj]

Note on невыносимый: The stress falls on the third syllable ("no-"), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to Russian's variable stress patterns. Pronounce the "ы" as a high central vowel, similar to the "i" in "bit".

мучительный: [muˈt͡ɕitʲɪlʲnɨj]

Note on мучительный: The "ч" is a voiceless palatal fricative, like the "ch" in German "ich". Stress is on the second syllable, and the ending adjusts with inflections.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Extremely painful or distressing (Primary meaning, often physical or emotional)

Translation(s) & Context:

• невыносимый - Used in formal contexts, such as medical descriptions or literature, to emphasize something that is intolerable or overwhelming.
• мучительный - Applied in situations involving prolonged agony, like in psychological or historical narratives, to convey ongoing torment.

Usage Examples:

• Он испытывал невыносимую боль после операции.

  He experienced excruciating pain after the surgery. (This example shows the adjective in a medical context, highlighting physical suffering.)

• Её мучительный опыт в детстве повлиял на всю жизнь.

  Her excruciating experience in childhood affected her entire life. (Here, it demonstrates emotional distress in a biographical setting.)

• В жару невыносимый зной делал прогулки невозможными.

  The excruciating heat made walks impossible during the heatwave. (This illustrates usage in environmental contexts, extending beyond physical pain.)

• Мучительный вопрос этики часто возникает в таких ситуациях.

  The excruciating ethical question often arises in such situations. (This shows application to mental anguish in philosophical discussions.)

• Его невыносимый крик эхом разнёсся по коридору.

  His excruciating scream echoed down the hallway. (This example varies the structure, using it with a noun for dramatic effect.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "невыносимый" and "мучительный" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect for gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow regular patterns for most forms. Below is a table for "невыносимый" as an example; "мучительный" follows similar rules.

For "мучительный", the inflections are identical in pattern but may vary slightly in spelling (e.g., Nominative: мучительный, Feminine: мучительная). These adjectives do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners at B2 level.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ужасный (uzhasnyy) - More general for "terrible," but can imply extreme unpleasantness; often used in everyday speech.
  • страшный (strashnyy) - Emphasizes fear or horror, with a slight emotional overlap; common in narratives.
• Antonyms:
  • приятный (priyatnyy) - Pleasant or enjoyable, directly opposite in sensory experiences.
  • терпимый (terpimyy) - Bearable or tolerable, contrasting the unbearable nature.

Related Phrases:

• невыносимая боль - Unbearable pain; used in medical or emotional contexts to describe intense suffering. (Literal translation: "excruciating pain")
• мучительный процесс - Torturous process; refers to prolonged, painful procedures, like therapy or legal battles.
• невыносимый жар - Excruciating heat; common in weather-related discussions.

Usage Notes:

"Excruciating" translates most accurately to "невыносимый" for physical pain and "мучительный" for emotional or prolonged distress. Choose "невыносимый" in formal or medical settings due to its precision, while "мучительный" suits narratives involving time. Be mindful of Russian adjective agreement with nouns (e.g., use feminine forms with feminine nouns). This vocabulary is neutral in register but leans formal, avoiding slang equivalents.

• In comparisons, pair with adverbs like "очень" (very) for emphasis, e.g., "очень невыносимый" for "extremely excruciating."
• English learners often confuse it with milder terms; select based on context to avoid understatement.

Common Errors:

English speakers might incorrectly use "невыносимный" (a misspelling) instead of "невыносимый," forgetting the proper adjective ending. Correct usage: "невыносимый" for masculine nominative. Another error is overusing it without inflections, e.g., saying "невыносимый боль" instead of "невыносимая боль" for feminine nouns. Explanation: Russian requires gender agreement; always check the noun's gender first to ensure proper form.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature, such as in works by Dostoevsky, words like "мучительный" carry deep cultural connotations of existential suffering, reflecting themes of human endurance in harsh conditions. This aligns with Russia's historical context of resilience against adversity, making these terms resonant in discussions of personal or national trials.

Related Concepts:

• боль (bol') - Pain
• страдание (stradanie) - Suffering
• терпение (terpenie) - Endurance