Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fiendish'

English Word: fiendish

Key Russian Translations:

• Дьявольский [ˈdʲjavɐlʲskʲɪj] - [Formal, often used for evil or devilish connotations]
• Коварный [kɐˈvarnɨj] - [Informal, typically for cunning or treacherous aspects]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary, descriptive, or narrative contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves abstract and emotional concepts; for "Дьявольский," it's B2 due to its formal tone, while "Коварный" is also B2 but more straightforward in usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Дьявольский: [ˈdʲjavɐlʲskʲɪj]

Note on Дьявольский: The stress falls on the first syllable; be mindful of the soft 'л' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalization.

Audio: []

Коварный: [kɐˈvarnɨj]

Note on Коварный: Stress on the second syllable; the 'р' is rolled, which is a common feature in Russian pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Evil, devilish, or diabolical (Referring to something wicked or infernal)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Дьявольский - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe inherently evil plans, characters, or situations, such as in stories or moral discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Его дьявольский смех эхом разнесся по комнате.

  English: His fiendish laugh echoed through the room.

• Русский: Дьявольский замысел героя привел к трагедии.

  English: The hero's fiendish scheme led to tragedy.

• Русский: В этой сказке есть дьявольский персонаж, который сеет хаос.

  English: In this fairy tale, there's a fiendish character who sows chaos.

• Русский: Дьявольский огонь в его глазах пугал всех вокруг.

  English: The fiendish fire in his eyes scared everyone around.

• Русский: Она разработала дьявольский план мести.

  English: She devised a fiendish plan for revenge.

Meaning 2: Cunning, treacherous, or extremely difficult (Referring to clever deception or challenging situations)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Коварный - Applied in informal or everyday contexts to describe sly behavior, tricky puzzles, or deceptive strategies.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Коварный враг заманил нас в ловушку.

  English: The fiendish enemy lured us into a trap.

• Русский: Эта коварная головоломка требует особой хитрости.

  English: This fiendish puzzle demands special cunning.

• Русский: Коварный план конкурентов сорвал нашу сделку.

  English: The fiendish plan of our competitors ruined our deal.

• Русский: В его коварном взгляде скрывалось предательство.

  English: His fiendish gaze hid betrayal.

• Русский: Коварная погода в горах сделала путешествие опасным.

  English: The fiendish weather in the mountains made the trip dangerous.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Дьявольский" and "Коварный" 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.

For "Дьявольский" (a first-declension adjective):

For "Коварный" (also a first-declension adjective, with similar patterns):

These adjectives do not have irregular forms but must agree with the noun in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Зловещий (more ominous, often used for foreboding atmospheres)
  • Сатанинский (directly satanic, with a stronger infernal connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • Добрый (kind, benevolent)
  • Честный (honest, straightforward)

Related Phrases:

• Дьявольский умысел - A fiendish intent or scheme, often in legal or narrative contexts.
• Коварный замысел - A treacherous plan, used to describe deceptive strategies in everyday or literary settings.
• Дьявольская хитрость - Fiendish cunning, implying clever but evil manipulation.

Usage Notes:

"Fiendish" translates best to "Дьявольский" when emphasizing evil or supernatural elements, making it suitable for formal or literary use. Opt for "Коварный" in contexts involving deceit or difficulty, as it's more common in informal speech. Be cautious with register: "Дьявольский" can sound overly dramatic in casual conversation. Always ensure the adjective agrees with the noun in gender, number, and case, as per Russian grammar rules.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "Дьявольский" with "Дьявольский" misspellings, such as writing it as "Дъявольский" (incorrect vowel). Correct: Use the proper "ь" for palatalization. Example of error: "Дъявольский план" (wrong) vs. Correct: "Дьявольский план" – The soft sign "ь" is essential for pronunciation.
• Overusing "Коварный" in formal contexts where "Дьявольский" is more appropriate, leading to a mismatch in tone. Error: "Коварный демон" in a horror story (too mild) vs. Correct: "Дьявольский демон" for a stronger impact.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "Дьявольский" often evoke imagery from folklore, such as stories involving the devil (e.g., in Slavic myths or Pushkin's works), where evil is personified. This adds a layer of historical and literary depth, making the word not just descriptive but culturally resonant in discussions of morality and temptation.

Related Concepts:

• Зло (evil)
• Хитрость (cunning)
• Сатана (Satan)