Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hobgoblin'

English Word: hobgoblin

Key Russian Translations:

• гоблин [/ɡɐˈblʲin/] - [Informal, often used in fantasy contexts]
• злой дух [/zloʲj ˈdux/] - [Formal, literal translation for 'mischievous spirit']

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation but appears frequently in literature, fantasy media, and folklore discussions.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2 on CEFR scale; requires familiarity with Russian nouns and mythology-related vocabulary. The word 'гоблин' is straightforward, while 'злой дух' may vary slightly in nuance.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гоблин: /ɡɐˈblʲin/ (Stress on the second syllable; the 'г' is pronounced as a voiced velar fricative.)

злой дух: /zloʲj ˈdux/ (The 'з' is a voiced alveolar fricative; 'л' is palatalized in 'злой'.)

Note on гоблин: Be cautious with the palatalized 'л' sound, which is common in Russian and can be tricky for English speakers. Variations may occur in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A mythical creature, often mischievous or malevolent, from folklore or fantasy.

Translation(s) & Context:

• гоблин - Used in modern fantasy literature, games, and informal discussions about mythology; implies a small, tricky creature.
• злой дух - Applied in more traditional or formal contexts, such as historical folklore, to describe an evil spirit; less specific to goblins.

Usage Examples:

• В тёмном лесу обитает хитрый гоблин, который пугает путников по ночам.

  In the dark forest lives a cunning hobgoblin that scares travelers at night.

• Герои игры борются с гоблинами, чтобы защитить деревню от разрушения.

  The game's heroes fight hobgoblins to protect the village from destruction.

• В русских сказках злой дух, подобный гоблину, часто крадёт сокровища.

  In Russian folktales, an evil spirit like a hobgoblin often steals treasures.

• Дети любят рассказы о гоблинах, которые прячутся в старых замках.

  Children love stories about hobgoblins that hide in old castles.

• Этот злой дух, или гоблин, символизирует хаос в древних легендах.

  This evil spirit, or hobgoblin, symbolizes chaos in ancient legends.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The primary translation 'гоблин' is a masculine noun (second declension). It follows standard Russian noun inflections for case, number, and gender. 'Злой дух' is a phrase where 'злой' is an adjective and 'дух' is a masculine noun (second declension).

Note: 'Гоблин' has regular inflections, making it relatively easy for learners. 'Злой' as an adjective agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • тролль (/trɐˈlʲlʲ/) - Similar to a troll, often larger and more brutish; used in fantasy contexts.
  • эльф (/elʲf/) - An elf, but can imply mischievous versions in some tales; differs by being more elegant.
• Antonyms:
  • добрый дух (/ˈdobrɨj ˈdux/) - A benevolent spirit, representing kindness and protection in folklore.

Related Phrases:

• злой гоблин - A wicked hobgoblin; used to emphasize malice in stories (implies a particularly troublesome creature).
• гоблин в лесу - Hobgoblin in the forest; common in fairy tales to describe habitat.
• страшный дух - Fearsome spirit; a broader phrase for malevolent entities like hobgoblins.

Usage Notes:

'Гоблин' directly corresponds to 'hobgoblin' in fantasy contexts and is the most accurate translation for English speakers. It is informal and best used in creative writing or discussions about mythology. 'Злой дух' is more formal and versatile, suitable for historical or literary analysis, but may not capture the playful aspect of 'hobgoblin'. When choosing between translations, consider the context: use 'гоблин' for modern media and 'злой дух' for traditional folklore. Grammatically, ensure adjectives agree with the noun in case and gender.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'гоблин' with 'гном' (gnome): Learners might misuse 'гном' thinking it means a similar creature, but 'гном' refers to a dwarf-like being. Correct usage: Use 'гоблин' for hobgoblin. Example of error: "Гном пугает людей" (incorrect for hobgoblin); Correct: "Гоблин пугает людей".

• Forgetting adjective agreement in phrases like 'злой дух': A common mistake is saying 'злой духи' (incorrect plural). Correct: 'злые духи'. This error stems from English's lack of gender agreement.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, creatures like the 'гоблин' draw from Slavic folklore, where similar spirits (e.g., 'домовой' or house spirit) represent both protection and mischief. Hobgoblins in Western tales parallel these, but Russian versions often tie to rural legends, emphasizing nature's duality—highlighting how such beings symbolize unseen forces in everyday life.

Related Concepts:

• домовой
• ведьма
• тролль