Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fainthearted'

English Word: fainthearted

Key Russian Translations:

• трусливый (/trʊˈslʲɪvɨj/) - [Informal, Adjective, Used in everyday contexts to describe someone lacking courage]
• робкий (/ˈrobkʲɪj/) - [Formal, Adjective, Used in literary or descriptive contexts to imply timidity or hesitation]

Frequency: Medium (These words appear regularly in Russian literature and conversation but are not among the most common everyday vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can understand and use these adjectives in context, though mastering inflections may require practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

трусливый: /trʊˈslʲɪvɨj/

Note on трусливый: The stress is on the second syllable; the 'sl' sound is soft, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Pronounce it with a rolled 'r' for authenticity.

робкий: /ˈrobkʲɪj/

Note on робкий: The initial 'r' is trilled, and the 'kʲ' is palatalized; this word has a softer, more neutral tone compared to трусливый.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Lacking courage or boldness, often implying weakness in the face of danger or challenge.

Translation(s) & Context:

• трусливый - Used in informal settings, such as describing personal traits in storytelling or casual criticism.
• робкий - Applied in more formal or psychological contexts, like character analysis in literature.

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда был трусливым в опасных ситуациях, предпочитая бежать вместо того, чтобы бороться.

  He was always fainthearted in dangerous situations, preferring to run away instead of fighting.

• Робкий солдат не смог переступить через страх и отступил от фронта.

  The fainthearted soldier couldn't overcome his fear and retreated from the front line.

• Её трусливый характер проявился, когда она отказалась высказать своё мнение на собрании.

  Her fainthearted nature showed when she refused to voice her opinion at the meeting.

• Робкий подход к инвестициям часто приводит к упущенным возможностям.

  A fainthearted approach to investments often leads to missed opportunities.

• В детстве он был трусливым, но с возрастом научился преодолевать свои страхи.

  In childhood, he was fainthearted, but with age, he learned to overcome his fears.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "трусливый" and "робкий" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard adjectival declension patterns.

These adjectives follow the standard first-declension pattern for hard-stem adjectives. There are no irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • трусливый - Often interchangeable with робкий, but implies more active cowardice.
  • робкий
  • пугливый (more fear-based, used for easily startled individuals)
• Antonyms:
  • храбрый (brave)
  • смелый (bold)
  • мужественный (courageous, with a heroic connotation)

Related Phrases:

• трусливый как заяц - Literally "cowardly as a hare"; used to describe someone extremely timid. (English equivalent: "cowardly as a rabbit")
• робкий шаг - "Timid step"; refers to a hesitant action in decision-making or movement.
• трусливое поведение - "Fainthearted behavior"; a phrase for describing avoidance in conflicts.

Usage Notes:

"Трусливый" and "робкий" both translate to "fainthearted" but differ in nuance: "трусливый" is more pejorative and informal, often used in criticism, while "робкий" is neutral and can be empathetic. In Russian, always ensure the adjective agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies. For English speakers, choose "трусливый" for everyday contexts and "робкий" for formal writing. Be cautious of cultural sensitivity, as these words can carry stigma.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "трусливый" in formal contexts without proper inflection, e.g., saying "Он трусливый человек" instead of adjusting for case in sentences like "Я видел трусливого человека" (I saw a fainthearted person).

  Correct: Ensure agreement, e.g., "трусливого" in accusative. Explanation: Russian requires adjectives to match nouns grammatically, which English speakers often overlook.

• Error: Confusing "робкий" with "трусливый" and using them interchangeably without context, e.g., describing a shy child as "трусливый" when "робкий" is more appropriate.

  Correct: Use "робкий" for innate timidity; "трусливый" for cowardice in action. Explanation: This can lead to unintended negativity, as "трусливый" implies moral weakness.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "трусливый" often evoke historical contexts, such as stories from wartime literature (e.g., in Tolstoy's works), where faintheartedness is contrasted with heroism. This reflects a cultural emphasis on resilience and collective strength, especially in the face of adversity like wars or hardships.

Related Concepts:

• страх (fear)
• смелость (bravery)
• ослабленный (weakened)