Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'grudge'

English Word: grudge

Key Russian Translations:

• обида [ɐˈbʲidə] - [Informal, Common in everyday speech]
• злоба [ˈzɫobə] - [Formal, Used in more intense or literary contexts]
• неприязнь [nʲɪˈprʲijəznʲ] - [Neutral, Often in professional or psychological discussions]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear regularly in conversations about emotions but are not as common as basic vocabulary like "love" or "hate").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate for обида and неприязнь; B2 for злоба, as it involves understanding nuanced emotional language in Russian, per CEFR standards).

Pronunciation (Russian):

обида: [ɐˈbʲidə]

злоба: [ˈzɫobə]

неприязнь: [nʲɪˈprʲijəznʲ]

Note on обида: The stress falls on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'б' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A persistent feeling of resentment or ill will, often stemming from a perceived wrong.

Translation(s) & Context:

• обида - Typically used in informal, personal contexts, such as family disputes or friendships, to describe a lingering emotional hurt.
• злоба - Applied in formal or literary settings for deeper, more malicious resentment, like in historical or psychological narratives.
• неприязнь - Neutral and versatile, often in professional contexts, such as workplace conflicts or diplomatic relations.

Usage Examples:

• Он долго держит обиду на своего брата из-за старой ссоры.

  He holds a grudge against his brother because of an old argument.

• Её злоба по отношению к бывшему коллеге помешала ей двигаться дальше.

  Her grudge toward her former colleague prevented her from moving on.

• Эта неприязнь между странами уходит корнями в исторические события.

  This grudge between the countries stems from historical events.

• Несмотря на обиду, она решила простить и забыть.

  Despite the grudge, she decided to forgive and forget.

• Его злоба проявилась в холодном молчании во время встречи.

  His grudge showed in his cold silence during the meeting.

2. (Less common) A small amount of something given reluctantly (e.g., in some dialects, but not the primary meaning).

Translation(s) & Context:

• обида - Rarely used this way; more metaphorical in informal speech.

Usage Examples:

• Он дал мне обиду денег, но явно неохотно.

  He gave me a grudging amount of money, but clearly unwillingly.

• Такая обида помощи не решает проблему.

  Such a grudging help doesn't solve the problem.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily nouns, which in Russian undergo declension based on case, number, and gender. "Обида" is a feminine noun (feminine singular), while "злоба" and "неприязнь" are also feminine. They follow standard first-declension patterns with some irregularities in certain cases.

For "злоба" and "неприязнь", the inflections are similar but may have slight variations in spelling. These words do not change in gender or have verbal forms, remaining invariant in basic structure.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: неприязнь (similar but less intense), вражда (more about ongoing hostility; often used in conflicts), resentment (as a direct equivalent in context)
• Antonyms: дружба (friendship; implies positive relations), прощение (forgiveness; directly opposes holding a grudge)

Related Phrases:

• Держать обиду - To hold a grudge; used to describe nurturing resentment over time.
• Затаить злобу - To harbor a grudge; common in literary or dramatic contexts for deep-seated anger.
• Неприязненные отношения - Grudging relationships; refers to strained interactions with underlying resentment.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "обида" is the most direct equivalent to "grudge" in everyday English, but choose "злоба" for more formal or intense scenarios to convey malice. Be mindful of context: Russian culture often emphasizes emotional expression, so these words might appear in personal stories or proverbs. Grammatically, they require correct case agreement with verbs and prepositions, e.g., "держать обиду" (to hold a grudge). When multiple translations exist, select based on the emotional depth—use "неприязнь" for neutral, interpersonal dynamics.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "обида" with "обида" in the sense of "offense" rather than "grudge," leading to misuse like saying "Я обида" instead of "У меня обида." Correct usage: "Я испытываю обиду" (I feel a grudge). Explanation: "Обида" is a noun, not a verb, so pair it with appropriate verbs like "держать" for accuracy.

• Another error is overusing "злоба" in casual speech; it sounds overly dramatic. Instead, use "обида" for informal settings. Incorrect: "Я имею злоба на друга" (grammatically wrong); Correct: "У меня злоба на друга."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, holding a grudge (e.g., "обида") is a common theme in literature and folklore, such as in works by Tolstoy or Chekhov, where it reflects deep emotional wounds tied to personal honor. This can stem from historical contexts like the Soviet era, where resentment toward authority was suppressed, adding layers of meaning beyond simple anger.

Related Concepts:

• ревность (jealousy)
• гнев (anger)
• вражда (enmity)