Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gutless'

English Word: gutless

Key Russian Translations:

• Бесхребетный [bʲɪsxrʲɪˈbʲɛtnɨj] - [Formal, used in descriptive contexts]
• Трусливый [trusˈlʲivɨj] - [Informal, often in everyday speech]
• Боязливый [bɐˈjazlʲivɨj] - [Neutral, applicable in various scenarios]

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

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions and nuanced vocabulary; varies slightly by translation, e.g., Бесхребетный might be B2+, while Трусливый is B1+).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Бесхребетный: [bʲɪsxrʲɪˈbʲɛtnɨj]

Трусливый: [trusˈlʲivɨj]

Боязливый: [bɐˈjazlʲivɨj]

Note on Бесхребетный: The 'хр' sound is a guttural fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish "loch," which can be challenging for English speakers; stress on the third syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Lack of courage or backbone

Translation(s) & Context:

• Бесхребетный - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe someone who lacks moral strength or decisiveness, e.g., in political discussions.
• Трусливый - Informal contexts, like criticizing cowardice in everyday situations, such as avoiding confrontation.
• Боязливый - Neutral, for general descriptions of timidity in personal or social settings.

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда бесхребетный в важных решениях, что раздражает его коллег.

  He is always gutless when it comes to important decisions, which annoys his colleagues.

• Не будь трусливым; встань и защити свою позицию!

  Don't be gutless; stand up and defend your position!

• Её боязливый подход к новым идеям тормозит прогресс команды.

  Her gutless approach to new ideas is holding back the team's progress.

• Бесхребетный лидер не способен вдохновить своих последователей.

  A gutless leader is unable to inspire their followers.

• В фильме главный герой изображен как трусливый персонаж, который учится быть смелым.

  In the film, the main character is portrayed as a gutless figure who learns to be brave.

Figurative sense (e.g., lacking substance or resolve)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Бесхребетный - In metaphorical contexts, such as criticizing weak policies or ideas.
• Трусливый - Less common in figurative use, but possible in informal critiques.

Usage Examples:

• Эта политика бесхребетная и не решает реальных проблем общества.

  This policy is gutless and doesn't address real societal issues.

• Трусливый ответ на критику только усугубляет ситуацию.

  A gutless response to criticism only makes the situation worse.

• Боязливый инвестор упускает выгодные возможности из-за страха риска.

  A gutless investor misses out on profitable opportunities due to fear of risk.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations (Бесхребетный, Трусливый, Боязливый) are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow standard adjective declension patterns, which are regular for most forms but can vary slightly.

For Трусливый and Боязливый, the inflections follow the same pattern as above. These adjectives do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward once the basic rules are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Трусливый (similar to трусливый, with a slight emphasis on fear)
  • Паскудный (informal, more vulgar connotation)
  • Слабодушный (focuses on weak-willed nature)
• Antonyms:
  • Смелый (brave)
  • Отважный (courageous, often heroic)
  • Решительный (decisive)

Related Phrases:

• Бесхребетный тип - A gutless type (refers to a person lacking backbone, often in informal criticism).
• Трусливый поступок - A gutless act (describes an action driven by fear).
• Боязливый в конфликтах - Gutless in conflicts (highlights avoidance in disputes, with a neutral tone).

Usage Notes:

Gutless translates most directly to Бесхребетный in formal Russian, emphasizing a lack of moral or physical courage, similar to English idioms. Use Трусливый for more casual, everyday contexts where cowardice is the focus. Be mindful of context: Боязливый is less harsh and suits situations involving innate timidity. In Russian, these adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which differs from English. When choosing among translations, opt for Бесхребетный in written or professional settings for its precision.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using Бесхребетный without proper declension, e.g., saying "Он бесхребетный человек" in a context requiring genitive like "О нём бесхребетного".
  Correct: "О нём бесхребетного человека". Explanation: Russian adjectives must inflect; failing to do so can make the sentence grammatically incorrect.
• Mistake: Confusing with similar words like Трус (noun for coward), leading to misuse in adjectival forms.
  Correct: Use Трусливый as an adjective; e.g., avoid saying "Он трус" when an adjective is needed. Explanation: Трус is a noun, so pair it properly or use the adjectival form for descriptions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like Бесхребетный often carry a strong negative connotation, reflecting historical emphasis on resilience and bravery, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works. It may evoke ideas of Soviet-era criticisms of weak leadership, helping users understand the cultural weight behind accusing someone of being gutless.

Related Concepts:

• Смелость (courage)
• Трусость (cowardice)
• Решимость (determination)