Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'henpecked'

English Word: henpecked

Key Russian Translations:

• подкаблучник /pədkəˈblut͡ɕnʲik/ - [Informal, Colloquial; often used in everyday conversations to describe a man dominated by his wife]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in formal or everyday Russian speech; it's more niche and appears in humorous or familial contexts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; learners need familiarity with Russian colloquialisms and noun inflections, as this word involves cultural nuances.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

подкаблучник: /pədkəˈblut͡ɕnʲik/

Note on подкаблучник: The stress falls on the third syllable ("blut"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft 'л' sound (palatalized 'l'). Practice the 'ч' as in 'church' for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A man who is excessively controlled or dominated by his wife, often in a humorous or derogatory sense.

Translation(s) & Context:

• подкаблучник - Used in informal, everyday contexts to describe a husband who submits to his wife's authority, often with a tone of mockery or affection.

Usage Examples:

• Он настоящий подкаблучник, всегда делает то, что говорит его жена.

  He is a real henpecked husband, always doing what his wife tells him.

• В этой семье муж — подкаблучник, но они счастливы.

  In this family, the husband is henpecked, but they are happy.

• Друзья шутят, что он подкаблучник, потому что боится спорить с женой.

  Friends joke that he is henpecked because he is afraid to argue with his wife.

• Подкаблучник в русской комедии — это классический персонаж.

  A henpecked husband in Russian comedy is a classic character.

• Он стал подкаблучником после свадьбы, но не жалеет об этом.

  He became henpecked after the wedding, but he doesn't regret it.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Подкаблучник" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the second declension. It follows standard noun inflection patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: This word does not have irregular inflections, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мямля (myamlya) - A milder term for a timid or submissive person, often implying weakness in general.
  • подкаблуком (pod kablukom) - Literally "under the heel," used as a phrase with similar connotations but more figurative.
• Antonyms:
  • главный в доме (glavnyy v dome) - Meaning "head of the household," implying dominance or authority.
  • свободный (svobodnyy) - Meaning "free" or "independent," contrasting with submissiveness.

Related Phrases:

• Под каблуком - A fixed phrase meaning "under the heel," used to describe someone henpecked; implies complete submission in relationships.
• Быть под жёстким контролем - Meaning "to be under strict control," often in a marital context; provides a more general synonym for henpecked behavior.
• Муж под пятой жены - Literally "husband under the wife's foot," a vivid expression for a dominated spouse; highlights cultural humor in gender dynamics.

Usage Notes:

This translation corresponds closely to the English "henpecked," emphasizing a man's submissiveness to his wife, but it's highly informal and often carries a humorous or satirical tone in Russian culture. Use it only in casual conversations to avoid offense, as it can be seen as sexist. When choosing between synonyms like "подкаблучник" and "мямля," opt for the former in marital contexts and the latter for general timidity. Grammatically, ensure correct noun declension based on sentence structure.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "подкаблучник" with "подкаблучница" (the feminine form), mistakenly using it for women. Correct usage: "Подкаблучник" is strictly masculine; for a woman, use "подкаблучница" if needed, but it's rare.
• Another error is improper declension, e.g., saying "подкаблучникa" in nominative case instead of "подкаблучник." Example of error: "Он подкаблучникa" (incorrect); Correct: "Он подкаблучник" in nominative. This stems from misunderstanding Russian case endings.
• Overusing it in formal writing, where it might sound inappropriate; stick to informal speech to maintain authenticity.

Cultural Notes:

The term "подкаблучник" reflects traditional Russian stereotypes about gender roles, often portrayed in literature and comedy (e.g., in works by Chekhov). It humorously critiques patriarchal norms by highlighting the "submissive husband" archetype, but it can reinforce gender inequalities if used insensitively. In modern Russia, it's sometimes reclaimed in a light-hearted way to discuss relationship dynamics.

Related Concepts:

• муж
• семья
• контроль
• слабость