Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ferocity'

English Word: ferocity

Key Russian Translations:

• жестокость [ʐɨˈstokəsʲtʲ] - [Formal; used in contexts of cruelty or savage intensity]
• ярость [ˈjarəsʲtʲ] - [Informal; emphasizes rage or wild fury]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, discussions of behavior, or animal descriptions, but not in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract emotional concepts and noun inflections, with "жестокость" being standard and "ярость" slightly more nuanced)

Pronunciation (Russian):

жестокость: [ʐɨˈstokəsʲtʲ]

ярость: [ˈjarəsʲtʲ]

Note on жестокость: The initial "ж" sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like a soft "zh" as in "measure." Variations may occur in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Savage or intense cruelty, often in the context of behavior or emotions

Translation(s) & Context:

• жестокость - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe extreme ferocity, such as in animal attacks or human aggression.
• ярость - Applied in more emotional or informal settings, like outbursts of rage.

Usage Examples:

• В дикой природе волки проявляют жестокость в охоте, чтобы выжить.

  In the wild, wolves display ferocity in hunting to survive.

• Его ярость на поле боя была пугающей, как у раненого зверя.

  His ferocity on the battlefield was terrifying, like that of a wounded animal.

• Жестокость правителя привела к восстанию народа.

  The ferocity of the ruler led to the people's uprising.

• В фильме показано, как ярость героя превращается в холодную жестокость.

  The film shows how the hero's ferocity turns into cold cruelty.

Meaning 2: Intense energy or forcefulness, not necessarily negative

Translation(s) & Context:

• жестокость - Less common in positive contexts, but can imply determined forcefulness in competitive scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• Спортсмены демонстрируют жестокость в соревнованиях, чтобы добиться победы.

  Athletes show ferocity in competitions to achieve victory.

• Её жестокость в переговорах помогла заключить выгодную сделку.

  Her ferocity in negotiations helped seal a favorable deal.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Жестокость" is a feminine noun (3rd declension) and follows standard Russian noun inflections. It changes based on case, number, and gender. "Ярость" is also a feminine noun with similar patterns.

For plural forms, both words are less commonly used in plural but can be: e.g., жестокости (genitive plural). They do not have irregular inflections.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • жесткость (harshness; more about rigidity than emotional intensity)
  • безжалостность (ruthlessness; implies no mercy, often in formal contexts)
  • буйность (wildness; used for untamed energy)
• Antonyms:
  • мягкость (gentleness)
  • доброта (kindness)
  • спокойствие (calmness)

Related Phrases:

• С жестокостью (With ferocity) - Used to describe actions performed with intense force, e.g., in battles or sports.
• В ярости (In a rage) - Indicates a state of wild ferocity, often emotional.
• Жестокая борьба (Fierce struggle) - A common phrase for intense competition or conflict.

Usage Notes:

"Жестокость" is the most direct translation for "ferocity" in formal or neutral contexts, emphasizing cruelty, while "ярость" is better for emotional outbursts. English speakers should note that Russian nouns like these require case agreement; for example, use the genitive case after prepositions like "без" (without). Choose based on context: "жестокость" for sustained intensity and "ярость" for sudden bursts. Be cautious with cultural nuances, as these words can carry negative connotations in Russian media.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "жестокость" with "жесткость," leading to misuse in emotional contexts. Incorrect: "Его жесткость в бою" (implying rigidity, not ferocity). Correct: "Его жестокость в бою" (properly conveys savage intensity). Explanation: "Жесткость" refers to physical or moral hardness, not emotional wildness.

• Error: Forgetting noun inflections, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Incorrect: "Из ярость" (wrong case). Correct: "Из ярости" (genitive for "from rage"). Explanation: Russian requires precise case endings for grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "жестокость" often appear in literature and folklore, such as in Tolstoy's works, where ferocity symbolizes the harshness of life or nature. This reflects Russia's historical context of survival in a vast, unforgiving landscape, adding a layer of depth to expressions of human or animal intensity.

Related Concepts:

• сила (strength)
• агрессия (aggression)
• страсть (passion)