Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ghastly'

English Word: ghastly

Key Russian Translations:

• ужасный (/ʊˈʐasnɨj/) - [Neutral, Formal/Informal]
• страшный (/ˈstrɑʃnɨj/) - [Informal, often used in everyday speech]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literature, media, and casual conversation, but not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives).

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2, per CEFR; involves understanding adjective inflections, which can vary by translation—'ужасный' requires basic gender and case agreement, while 'страшный' is similar but more straightforward for beginners).

Pronunciation (Russian):

ужасный: /ʊˈʐasnɨj/ (The 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure'; stress on the second syllable.)

Note on ужасный: Be cautious with the soft sign 'ы', which affects vowel pronunciation; common mispronunciation by English speakers is softening the 'ж' too much.

страшный: /ˈstrɑʃnɨj/ (Stress on the first syllable; the 'ш' is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, like 'sh' in 'shoe'.)

Note on страшный: This word has a more guttural feel in spoken Russian and can vary slightly in regional accents, such as in Moscow vs. St. Petersburg dialects.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Extremely unpleasant, shocking, or horrifying (e.g., describing a terrifying event or situation)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ужасный - Used in formal writing or serious discussions to emphasize moral or emotional horror, such as in news reports or literature.
• страшный - More common in informal contexts, like casual storytelling, to describe something frightening or eerie.

Usage Examples:

• Это был ужасный инцидент, который потряс весь город. (This was a ghastly incident that shook the entire city.)

  English: This was a ghastly incident that shook the entire city.

• В фильме показаны страшные сцены, от которых невозможно оторваться. (The film features ghastly scenes that you can't look away from.)

  English: The film features ghastly scenes that you can't look away from.

• После аварии дом выглядел ужасно, как будто из фильма ужасов. (After the accident, the house looked ghastly, as if from a horror movie.)

  English: After the accident, the house looked ghastly, as if from a horror movie.

• Её рассказ о привидениях был таким страшным, что мы не могли спать. (Her story about ghosts was so ghastly that we couldn't sleep.)

  English: Her story about ghosts was so ghastly that we couldn't sleep.

• Ужасная погода сделала поездку совершенно невыносимой. (The ghastly weather made the trip completely unbearable.)

  English: The ghastly weather made the trip completely unbearable.

Meaning 2: Extremely ugly or repulsive (e.g., describing appearance or quality)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ужасный - Applied in contexts involving aesthetics or quality, often with a sense of disgust, in both formal and informal settings.
• мерзкий (/ˈmʲɛrzkʲɪj/) - Sometimes used interchangeably but more for physical repulsiveness in informal speech.

Usage Examples:

• Её платье было ужасным, с таким ярким цветом, что все уставились. (Her dress was ghastly, with such a bright color that everyone stared.)

  English: Her dress was ghastly, with such a bright color that everyone stared.

• Это место выглядит страшно запущенным и мерзким. (This place looks ghastly and neglected.)

  English: This place looks ghastly and neglected.

• Ужасная еда в этом ресторане отпугивает посетителей. (The ghastly food at this restaurant scares off visitors.)

  English: The ghastly food at this restaurant scares off visitors.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations ('ужасный' and 'страшный') are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives agree with the nouns they modify, following standard patterns. 'Ужасный' is a regular adjective, while 'страшный' is also regular but can have slight variations in some dialects.

Note: These adjectives do not change in comparative forms without additional words (e.g., 'более ужасный' for 'more ghastly'). For 'ужасный', it remains invariant in some fixed phrases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • страшный (similar to 'ghastly' but often less intense)
  • мерзкий (implies disgust, used for repulsive things; differs by emphasizing physical aversion)
  • отвратительный (stronger, for something revolting)
• Antonyms:
  • прекрасный (beautiful, directly opposite in aesthetic contexts)
  • замечательный (wonderful, for positive qualities)

Related Phrases:

• ужасный сон (ghastly dream) - A nightmare or disturbing vision in sleep contexts.
• страшная история (ghastly story) - Often refers to horror tales or frightening narratives.
• ужасная погода (ghastly weather) - Used for extremely bad weather conditions, implying discomfort or danger.

Usage Notes:

'Ужасный' is the closest match to 'ghastly' in formal English-Russian translation, capturing the shock value, while 'страшный' suits informal or spoken language. Always ensure adjective agreement with the noun in gender, number, and case. For example, use 'ужасная' for feminine nouns. In cultural contexts, these words might carry emotional weight in Russian literature, so choose based on the intensity needed—'ужасный' for profound horror, like in Dostoevsky's works.

• Avoid overusing in casual speech, as it can sound dramatic.
• When selecting between translations, consider the audience: 'страшный' for everyday conversations, 'ужасный' for written or professional settings.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'ужасный' with 'страшный', using them interchangeably. For instance, a common mistake is saying "страшный вид" when "ужасный вид" better conveys a 'ghastly sight' in a formal context. Incorrect: "Это страшный фильм" (if implying moral horror); Correct: "Это ужасный фильм" to match 'ghastly's nuance. Explanation: 'Страшный' leans towards fear, while 'ужасный' includes shock—always check the emotional layer.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'ужасный' often appear in literature (e.g., in works by Pushkin or Gogol) to describe the sublime horror of everyday life or supernatural elements, reflecting a historical fascination with the macabre in folklore and Soviet-era stories. This can add a layer of dramatic intensity not always present in English usage.

Related Concepts:

• кошмарный (nightmarish)
• отвратительный (repulsive)
• ужас (horror)