Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fearsome'

English Word: fearsome

Key Russian Translations:

• страшный /straʂˈnɨj/ - [Informal, commonly used in everyday descriptions of something intimidating or awe-inspiring]
• ужасный /uˈʐasnɨj/ - [Formal, often implies extreme fear or horror in literary or descriptive contexts]
• грозный /ˈɡroz.nɨj/ - [Formal, used for something formidable or menacing, especially in historical or epic contexts]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are encountered regularly in Russian literature, media, and conversation, but not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level can grasp the basic usage, though nuances in formality and inflection may require further practice. For "ужасный", it might be slightly more advanced at B2 due to its emotional connotations.

Pronunciation (Russian):

страшный: /straʂˈnɨj/

ужасный: /uˈʐasnɨj/ - Note: The "ʐ" sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the "zh" in "measure".

грозный: /ˈɡroz.nɨj/ - Note: Stress on the first syllable; be careful with the hard "g" sound, which is more guttural than in English.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Inspiring fear, awe, or intimidation (e.g., describing something powerful and frightening)

Translation(s) & Context:

• страшный - Used in informal contexts to describe everyday fearsome things, like animals or weather, in casual speech or writing.
• ужасный - Applied in formal or emotional contexts, such as literature, to emphasize horror or dread.
• грозный - Often in historical or narrative contexts, like describing a ruler or force of nature.

Usage Examples:

• В лесу живет страшный волк, который пугает всех путников.

  In the forest lives a fearsome wolf that scares all travelers.

• Этот ужасный шторм разрушил несколько домов в деревне.

  This fearsome storm destroyed several houses in the village.

• Грозный император правил страной железной рукой.

  The fearsome emperor ruled the country with an iron fist.

• Его страшный вид заставил детей спрятаться под кроватью.

  His fearsome appearance made the children hide under the bed.

• Ужасный крик эхом разнесся по горам, вызывая панику.

  The fearsome scream echoed through the mountains, causing panic.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives like "страшный" follow standard first-conjugation patterns with regular inflections. "Ужасный" and "грозный" are also regular but may vary slightly in usage.

Note: These are regular inflections; no irregular forms for these words.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пугающий (pugayushchiy) - More neutral, used for something that startles.
  • террористический (terroristicheskiy) - Implies extreme fear, often in modern contexts.
  • угрожающий (ugrozhayushchiy) - Suggests a threat, with a subtle difference from "страшный" in implying potential action.
• Antonyms:
  • мирный (mirnyy) - Peaceful, opposite in evoking calm.
  • безопасный (bezopasnyy) - Safe, directly contrasting the fear aspect.

Related Phrases:

• Страшный сон - A fearsome dream; used to describe nightmares in casual conversation.
• Ужасный вид - A fearsome sight; implies something visually terrifying, often in storytelling.
• Грозный взгляд - A fearsome glare; common in describing intimidating expressions.

Usage Notes:

"Fearsome" corresponds closely to "страшный" in informal settings, but English speakers should note that Russian adjectives inflect based on the noun they modify, unlike English. For formal contexts, opt for "ужасный" to convey deeper emotional weight. Be mindful of gender and case agreements to avoid grammatical errors. When choosing among translations, use "грозный" for historical or epic themes, as it carries a sense of grandeur not always present in "fearsome".

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "страшный" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "страшный женщина" instead of "страшная женщина". Correct: Always match gender, number, and case, as in "страшная женщина" (fearsome woman). Explanation: Russian requires adjective-noun agreement, which English learners often overlook.

• Error: Confusing "ужасный" with "страшный" in intensity, e.g., using "ужасный" for a minor scare. Correct: Reserve "ужасный" for extreme cases; use "страшный" for everyday fears. Explanation: Overgeneralization can lead to exaggerated expressions, making speech sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "грозный" evoke historical figures such as Ivan the Terrible (Ivan Grozny), symbolizing a mix of fear and respect. This reflects Russia's literary tradition in works by authors like Tolstoy, where fearsome elements often highlight human resilience against adversity.

Related Concepts:

• пугающий
• угрожающий
• террористический