Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'frightened'

English Word: frightened

Key Russian Translations:

• испуганный [is.pu.'ɡan.nɨj] - [Adjective, Informal, Singular]
• напуганный [na.pu.'ɡan.nɨj] - [Adjective, Formal, Often used in literary contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word is commonly used in everyday Russian conversations, literature, and media, but not as frequent as basic adjectives like "большой" (big).)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; involves understanding adjective agreement in gender, number, and case, which requires some grammatical knowledge, but it's not overly complex for learners at this level.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

испуганный: [is.pu.'ɡan.nɨj] (The stress is on the third syllable; note the soft sign 'н' which softens the preceding consonant.)

напуганный: [na.pu.'ɡan.nɨj] (Similar stress pattern; pay attention to the initial 'н' sound, which is nasal.)

Note on испуганный: This word has a hard 'г' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers used to softer consonants. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter vowel length.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The state of being scared, afraid, or startled due to a perceived threat or surprise.

Translation(s) & Context:

• испуганный - Used in casual, everyday situations to describe someone who is temporarily frightened, such as after a loud noise.
• напуганный - Applied in more formal or narrative contexts, implying a deeper or intentional scaring, like in stories or psychological descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Он был испуганный после того, как услышал странный шум в темноте.

  He was frightened after hearing a strange noise in the dark. (This example shows the adjective in a simple past context, agreeing with a masculine singular noun.)

• Испуганная женщина быстро убежала от собаки.

  The frightened woman quickly ran away from the dog. (Here, the adjective agrees with a feminine singular noun, demonstrating gender agreement.)

• Дети были испуганными во время грозы, но родители их успокоили.

  The children were frightened during the storm, but their parents calmed them down. (This illustrates plural usage in a family or emotional context.)

• Напуганный путешественник не решился войти в старый дом.

  The frightened traveler did not dare to enter the old house. (This uses a more formal translation in a narrative or adventurous scenario.)

• Она выглядела испуганной, когда увидела привидение в фильме.

  She looked frightened when she saw the ghost in the movie. (This example highlights the adjective in a visual or descriptive context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "испуганный" and "напуганный" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect for gender, number, and case to agree with the nouns they modify. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for hard-stem adjectives, with no irregularities here.

Note: These adjectives do not change in short form (e.g., "испуган"), which is less common in modern usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • напуганный (very similar, but often implies a more intense or deliberate fear)
  • перепуганный (suggests extreme fright, used in highly emotional contexts)
  • встревоженный (focuses on anxiety or worry, slightly less intense)
• Antonyms:
  • спокойный (calm, directly opposite in emotional state)
  • уверенный (confident, implying no fear)

Related Phrases:

• испуганный взгляд (frightened look) - Used to describe a facial expression of fear in social or psychological contexts.
• напуганный ребенок (frightened child) - A common phrase in parenting or educational scenarios, emphasizing emotional response.
• испуганный крик (frightened scream) - Often appears in horror or suspense narratives.

Usage Notes:

These translations must always agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they describe, which is a key feature of Russian grammar. For example, use "испуганный" for masculine singular nouns and "испуганная" for feminine. "Frightened" in English is typically a temporary state, so in Russian, it's best translated with adjectives like "испуганный" in dynamic contexts rather than static ones. Choose "напуганный" for more formal or literary writing, as it conveys a sense of being intentionally scared. Be cautious with context: in informal speech, these words are common, but in professional settings, opt for synonyms like "встревоженный" to sound more polished.

Common Errors:

• English learners often forget adjective agreement, e.g., saying "испуганный женщина" instead of "испуганная женщина". Correct: Always match the ending to the noun's gender and case.
• Confusing with verbs: Mistakenly using the verb "испугать" (to frighten) as an adjective, e.g., "Он испугать" instead of "Он испуганный". Explanation: "Испугать" is a verb, so use the participial form for adjectival meanings.
• Overusing in formal contexts: Learners might use "испуганный" in writing where "встревоженный" is more appropriate, leading to an informal tone.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions of fear like "испуганный" are often tied to folklore and literature, such as in fairy tales by Pushkin, where characters frequently encounter frightening situations. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on emotional depth and storytelling, helping users understand why such words are prevalent in Russian media.

Related Concepts:

• страх (fear)
• ужас (horror)
• паника (panic)