Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'frigidity'

English Word: frigidity

Key Russian Translations:

• холодность [xɐ.lɐd.nəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, often used in emotional or literary contexts]
• фригидность [frʲi.ɡʲi.dnəsʲtʲ] - [Medical, Formal, typically in psychological or sexual health discussions]

Frequency: Medium - The term is not everyday vocabulary but appears frequently in literature, psychology, and formal discussions.

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for both translations - Requires understanding of abstract concepts and Russian nominal inflections; learners at this level can grasp it with context.

Pronunciation (Russian):

холодность: [xɐ.lɐd.nəsʲtʲ]

Note on холодность: The initial 'х' is a voiceless velar fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish "loch"; stress falls on the second syllable, which can be tricky for beginners.

фригидность: [frʲi.ɡʲi.dnəsʲtʲ]

Note on фригидность: This is a borrowed word with palatalized consonants; the 'г' is pronounced as a voiced velar fricative, and stress is on the third syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Coldness or lack of warmth (physical, emotional, or metaphorical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• холодность: Used in contexts describing emotional detachment or metaphorical coldness, such as in relationships or descriptions of personality.

Usage Examples:

• Её холодность в общении с коллегами часто вызывала недоразумения.

  Her frigidity in communicating with colleagues often caused misunderstandings.

• В арктических регионах природа проявляет свою холодность круглый год.

  In Arctic regions, nature displays its frigidity year-round.

• Холодность его взгляда говорила о скрытой боли.

  The frigidity of his gaze spoke of hidden pain.

• Эта холодность атмосферы делает зиму в России неповторимой.

  This frigidity of the atmosphere makes winter in Russia unique.

2. Sexual frigidity (psychological or medical context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• фригидность: Specifically used in medical or psychological contexts to describe a lack of sexual responsiveness, often in clinical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Психолог обсудил с пациентом проблему фригидности и возможные причины.

  The psychologist discussed the issue of frigidity with the patient and possible causes.

• Фригидность может быть результатом стресса или гормональных изменений.

  Frigidity can result from stress or hormonal changes.

• В старых медицинских текстах фригидность описывается как редкое расстройство.

  In old medical texts, frigidity is described as a rare disorder.

• Её фригидность в отношениях стала причиной семейных конфликтов.

  Her frigidity in the relationship became the cause of family conflicts.

• Современная терапия помогает преодолевать фригидность у многих людей.

  Modern therapy helps overcome frigidity in many people.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are feminine nouns in Russian, following the third declension pattern. They exhibit typical nominal inflections based on case, number, and gender.

For холодность (feminine, singular):

For фригидность (feminine, singular): It follows the same third declension as above, with no irregularities. Note that it is an invariant borrowed word and does not change in everyday use beyond standard nominal inflections.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • отчуждённость (otchuzhdyonnost') - Emphasizes emotional distance, often in interpersonal contexts.
  • нечувствительность (nechuvstvitel'nost') - Highlights lack of sensitivity, with a slight nuance towards numbness.
• Antonyms:
  • теплота (teplota) - Warmth, directly opposite in emotional contexts.
  • страстность (strastnost') - Passion, especially in relation to sexual frigidity.

Related Phrases:

• Эмоциональная холодность - Emotional frigidity; used to describe detached behavior in relationships.
• Холодность характера - Frigidity of character; refers to a personality trait of emotional reserve.
• Фригидность в браке - Frigidity in marriage; a common phrase in psychological discussions about intimacy issues.

Usage Notes:

Choose "холодность" for general emotional or metaphorical contexts, as it aligns closely with everyday English "frigidity" in non-medical settings. "Фригидность" is more precise for sexual or psychological contexts and is a direct borrowing, making it ideal for technical discussions. Be mindful of formal register; both words are typically used in written or professional speech rather than casual conversation. In Russian, these nouns often require agreement in gender and case with surrounding words, so ensure proper inflection when constructing sentences.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "холодность" with "холод" (cold as a temperature): Learners might use "холод" incorrectly for emotional frigidity. Correct usage: Say "её холодность" instead of "её холод" to specify the abstract quality.
• Overusing "фригидность" in non-medical contexts: This can sound overly clinical; for everyday emotional coldness, opt for "холодность". Error example: "Его фригидность в дружбе" (incorrectly formal) vs. Correct: "Его холодность в дружбе".
• Ignoring case inflections: Beginners often forget to change the word in sentences, e.g., saying "о холодность" instead of "о холодности" in genitive contexts. Always adjust based on sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "холодность" often appear in literature (e.g., in works by Tolstoy or Chekhov) to depict the stoic or reserved nature of characters, reflecting historical influences from harsh climates and societal norms. "Фригидность" carries a more modern, Western-influenced connotation due to psychological advancements, and it's less stigmatized today in discussions about mental health.

Related Concepts:

• апатия (apatiya)
• равнодушие (ravnodushie)
• эмоциональное выгорание (emotsional'noye vyigoraniye)