Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hateful'

English Word: hateful

Key Russian Translations:

• ненавистный /nʲɪˈnavʲɪstnɨj/ - [Formal, Adjective]
• злобный /ˈzlobnɨj/ - [Informal, Adjective, Used in everyday contexts to convey malice]
• враждебный /vrɐʐˈdʲebnɨj/ - [Formal, Adjective, Often in contexts involving hostility or antagonism]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, discussions on emotions, and media, but not in casual everyday speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjectives and their inflections; varies slightly by translation, e.g., 'ненавистный' is B2, while 'злобный' might be B1)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ненавистный: /nʲɪˈnavʲɪstnɨj/ (Stress on the third syllable; the 'нʲ' is a palatalized 'n', which can be tricky for English speakers)

злобный: /ˈzlobnɨj/ (Stress on the first syllable; the 'зл' sound is similar to 'zl' in 'buzzer', but softer)

враждебный: /vrɐʐˈdʲebnɨj/ (Stress on the third syllable; note the soft 'дʲ' which affects the preceding vowel)

Note on ненавистный: This word has a strong emotional connotation; be careful with the palatalization, as mispronouncing it might make it sound less intense.

Note on злобный: Often used in informal speech; the 'бн' cluster can be challenging for beginners.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Full of hate, intense dislike, or evoking strong negative emotions.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ненавистный - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe something that inspires deep hatred, such as in philosophical or emotional discussions.
• злобный - Applied in informal settings for everyday malice, like describing a person's behavior in stories or conversations.
• враждебный - Common in contexts involving conflict, such as international relations or personal disputes.

Usage Examples:

• Его ненавистные речи разжигают конфликты в обществе.

  His hateful speeches incite conflicts in society.

• Злобный сосед всегда устраивает скандалы из-за мелочей.

  The hateful neighbor always causes scandals over trivial matters.

• Враждебный тон письма ясно указывал на скрытую агрессию.

  The hateful tone of the letter clearly indicated hidden aggression.

• Ненавистные воспоминания о войне до сих пор мучают ветеранов.

  Hateful memories of the war still torment the veterans.

• Злобный взгляд ребенка заставил всех замолчать.

  The hateful glare from the child made everyone fall silent.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives like 'ненавистный', 'злобный', and 'враждебный' follow standard first-declension patterns with some irregularities in certain forms.

These adjectives do not change in invariable contexts (e.g., after certain prepositions), but generally follow the rules above.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: злобный (similar but more casual), враждебный (emphasizes hostility), озлобленный (embittered, often from experience)
• Antonyms: любящий (loving), добрый (kind), дружелюбный (friendly; note the subtle difference in warmth compared to just 'kind')

Related Phrases:

• ненавистная речь - Hate speech; used in discussions about discrimination or public discourse.
• злобный замысел - Hateful scheme; refers to malicious plans in narratives or real-life contexts.
• враждебные действия - Hateful actions; common in geopolitical or conflict-related language.

Usage Notes:

'Hateful' in English often corresponds directly to 'ненавистный' in formal Russian contexts, but English speakers should note that Russian adjectives like these must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify. For example, use 'ненавистный' for masculine singular, but 'ненавистная' for feminine. In informal speech, 'злобный' might be preferred for its everyday feel. Be cautious with cultural nuances: Russian expressions of hate can carry historical weight, especially in post-Soviet contexts. When choosing among translations, opt for 'враждебный' in diplomatic or conflict scenarios for precision.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'ненавистный' without proper inflection, e.g., saying "ненавистный женщина" instead of "ненавистная женщина". Correct: Adjectives must agree with the noun's gender and case. Explanation: This is a common mistake for beginners due to English's lack of agreement; always check the noun's form first.

• Error: Confusing 'злобный' with 'враждебный', using them interchangeably without context, e.g., "злобный война" when 'враждебный' fits better for war-related hostility. Correct: Use 'злобный' for personal malice and 'враждебный' for broader conflicts. Explanation: These words have overlapping meanings but differ in intensity and context, leading to imprecise communication.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'ненавистный' often evoke historical contexts such as the Soviet era or World War II, where hate was associated with propaganda and ideological conflicts. This can add a layer of emotional depth, making it more than just a descriptor—it's tied to themes of resilience and anti-imperialism in literature and media.

Related Concepts:

• ненависть (hatred)
• вражда (enmity)
• озлобленность (bitterness)