Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hostility'

English Word: hostility

Key Russian Translations:

• враждебность (/vrɐʐˈdʲebnəsʲtʲ/) - [Formal, Abstract Noun]
• вражда (/ˈvrazdə/) - [Formal, Intense Emotion]
• недружественность (/nʲɪdrʊˈʐɛstvʲɪnnəsʲtʲ/) - [Informal, Everyday Usage]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions of international relations, psychology, and literature, but not as everyday as basic emotions like anger).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract nouns and emotional vocabulary; "вражда" might be slightly easier at B1, while "враждебность" is more advanced due to its formal connotations).

Pronunciation (Russian):

враждебность: /vrɐʐˈdʲebnəsʲtʲ/ (Note on враждебность: The stress is on the third syllable; the "ж" sound is a voiced fricative, similar to the "s" in "measure" in English, which can be tricky for beginners.)

вражда: /ˈvrazdə/ (Note on вражда: This word has a simple stress on the first syllable; pronounce the "ж" softly and ensure the final "a" is reduced in casual speech.)

недружественность: /nʲɪdrʊˈʐɛstvʲɪnnəsʲtʲ/ (Note on недружественность: Pay attention to the palatalized "н" at the beginning, which adds a soft "y" sound; this word is longer and may require practice for fluid pronunciation.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The state or quality of being hostile, often implying ongoing animosity.

Translation(s) & Context:

• враждебность - Used in formal contexts like diplomatic discussions or psychological analyses to describe deep-seated enmity.
• вражда - Applied in historical or emotional contexts, such as family feuds or rivalries, emphasizing intensity.

Usage Examples:

• Враждебность между двумя странами усилилась после пограничного инцидента.

  The hostility between the two countries intensified after the border incident.

• Его вражда к бывшему партнеру помешала успешному ведению бизнеса.

  His hostility toward his former partner hindered successful business operations.

• Враждебность в переговорах проявилась в резких высказываниях дипломатов.

  Hostility in the negotiations was evident in the diplomats' sharp remarks.

• Несмотря на вражду, они нашли общий язык для сотрудничества.

  Despite the hostility, they found common ground for cooperation.

Meaning 2: Acts or expressions of enmity, such as aggressive behavior or opposition.

Translation(s) & Context:

• недружественность - Common in everyday conversations to describe unfriendly actions or attitudes in social settings.
• вражда - Used for more severe, prolonged acts of opposition, like in conflicts or wars.

Usage Examples:

• Недружественность коллег проявилась в игнорировании его идей на собрании.

  The hostility of colleagues was shown in ignoring his ideas at the meeting.

• Вражда между семьями длилась годами, из-за давнего спора о земле.

  The hostility between the families lasted for years due to an old land dispute.

• Ее недружественность к новому соседу была заметна в холодных приветствиях.

  Her hostility toward the new neighbor was evident in her cold greetings.

• Вражда в обществе часто возникает из-за политических разногласий.

  Hostility in society often arises from political disagreements.

• Несмотря на недружественность, они смогли уладить конфликт мирно.

  Despite the hostility, they managed to resolve the conflict peacefully.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Враждебность" is a feminine abstract noun (3rd declension), which follows standard patterns for Russian nouns ending in -ость. It is relatively invariable in casual use but changes in cases.

"Вражда" is also a feminine noun but more irregular in some contexts, primarily used in singular forms. It changes as: Nominative - вражда; Genitive - вражды; etc. "Недружественность" follows similar patterns to "враждебность."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • недоброжелательность (similar to "враждебность" but with a focus on ill-will; often used in interpersonal contexts)
  • анimosity (as in антагонизм, which is a direct borrowing)
  • враждебное отношение (a phrase for general hostility)
• Antonyms:
  • дружба (friendship)
  • симпатия (sympathy)
  • согласие (agreement or harmony)

Related Phrases:

• враждебные действия - Hostile actions (refers to aggressive behaviors in conflicts).
• в состоянии вражды - In a state of hostility (used for ongoing enmities, e.g., in international relations).
• недружественный прием - Unfriendly reception (common in social or diplomatic scenarios).

Usage Notes:

"Hostility" in English often corresponds directly to "враждебность" in formal Russian contexts, but choose "вражда" for more emotional or historical scenarios. Be mindful of the noun's gender and case in sentences; for example, it's feminine, so adjectives must agree (e.g., "большая враждебность" for "great hostility"). In informal speech, "недружественность" is safer for everyday conversations to avoid sounding overly formal. When translating, consider the context: political discussions favor "враждебность," while personal relationships might use "вражда."

Common Errors:

• Confusing "враждебность" with "вражда": Learners might use "вражда" interchangeably, but it's more intense. Error: "Я чувствую вражду к этому человеку" (when "враждебность" is milder). Correct: "Я чувствую враждебность к этому человеку." Explanation: "Вражда" implies a deeper, ongoing feud, while "враждебность" is a general state.
• Incorrect declension: Forgetting case changes, e.g., saying "о враждебность" instead of "о враждебности" in genitive contexts. Correct: Use the proper form based on sentence structure. Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, which English speakers often overlook.
• Overusing in informal settings: Using "враждебность" in casual talk, which sounds stilted. Correct: Opt for "недружественность" in everyday dialogue. Explanation: Match the register to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "вражда" often carry historical weight, such as in literature (e.g., feuds in Tolstoy's works) or politics (e.g., Cold War-era enmities). It reflects a cultural emphasis on collective memory and long-term relationships, where hostility isn't just personal but can symbolize broader societal divides.

Related Concepts:

• конфликт (conflict)
• антагонизм (antagonism)
• недоброжелательность (ill-will)