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impatient

нетерпеливый Primary Russian translation

Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'impatient'

English Word: impatient

Key Russian Translations:

  • нетерпеливый /nʲɪtɨrˈpʲelʲɪvɨj/ - [Formal/Informal, Adjective]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations, literature, and media, but not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives like "good").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions and common emotional vocabulary, per CEFR standards).

Pronunciation (Russian):

нетерпеливый: /nʲɪtɨrˈpʲelʲɪvɨj/

Note on нетерпеливый: The stress falls on the third syllable ("pʲelʲ"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized consonants. Pronounce it with a soft 'l' sound as in "million".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Lacking patience or tolerance, often implying restlessness or frustration.
Translation(s) & Context:
  • нетерпеливый - Used in both formal and informal contexts to describe someone who is eager or frustrated while waiting, such as in daily life, business, or emotional discussions.
Usage Examples:
  • Он всегда такой нетерпеливый, когда ждёт автобуса.

    He is always so impatient when waiting for the bus.

  • Её нетерпеливый характер часто приводит к конфликтам.

    Her impatient nature often leads to conflicts.

  • Нетерпеливый клиент требовал немедленного ответа.

    The impatient client demanded an immediate response.

  • В детстве я был очень нетерпеливым и не мог ждать подарков.

    As a child, I was very impatient and couldn't wait for gifts.

  • Нетерпеливый водитель сигналил на светофоре.

    The impatient driver was honking at the traffic light.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

нетерпеливый is an adjective in Russian, which means it changes based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard pattern for first-declension adjectives (those ending in -ый). The base form is masculine singular nominative.

Case/Number/Gender Singular Plural
Masculine Nominative нетерпеливый нетерпеливые (for all genders in plural nominative)
Feminine Nominative нетерпеливая
Neuter Nominative нетерпеливое
Genitive (all genders) нетерпеливого (m), нетерпеливой (f), нетерпеливого (n) нетерпеливых
Dative (all genders) нетерпеливому (m), нетерпеливой (f), нетерпеливому (n) нетерпеливым
Accusative (all genders) нетерпеливый (m, animate), нетерпеливого (m, inanimate), нетерпеливую (f), нетерпеливое (n) нетерпеливых (animate), нетерпеливые (inanimate)
Instrumental (all genders) нетерпеливым (m), нетерпеливой (f), нетерпеливым (n) нетерпеливыми
Prepositional (all genders) нетерпеливом (m), нетерпеливой (f), нетерпеливом (n) нетерпеливых

Note: This adjective is regular, so it follows standard rules without irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

  • Synonyms:
    • торопливый (toroplivyy) - Implies haste or rush, often in a neutral or positive context.
    • вспыльчивый (vspyhlchivyy) - Suggests quick temper, with a more negative connotation than нетерпеливый.
  • Antonyms:
    • терпеливый (terpelivyy) - Directly opposite, meaning patient or enduring.

Related Phrases:

  • Быть нетерпеливым - To be impatient; often used in self-reflection or descriptions of behavior. (e.g., in contexts of waiting or decision-making)
  • Нетерпеливый взгляд - An impatient look; refers to facial expressions showing frustration.
  • Нетерпение растёт - Impatience is growing; a common phrase in narrative or emotional descriptions.

Usage Notes:

нетерпеливый directly corresponds to the English "impatient" as an adjective, but Russian often requires it to agree in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies. For example, use the feminine form with female subjects. It's versatile across formal and informal settings, but in professional contexts, pair it with explanations to avoid sounding judgmental. When choosing between synonyms like торопливый, opt for нетерпеливый if the emphasis is on emotional frustration rather than speed.

  • Grammar tip: Always decline it according to the noun, e.g., "нетерпеливый человек" (impatient person, masculine).
  • Context guidance: In Russian culture, expressing impatience can sometimes be seen as rude, so use it cautiously in social interactions.

Common Errors:

  • Error: Using the base form "нетерпеливый" without declension, e.g., saying "Она нетерпеливый" instead of "Она нетерпеливая".
    Correct: "Она нетерпеливая" (feminine form). Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with the noun's gender; this mistake often stems from English habits where adjectives don't change.
  • Error: Confusing it with "нетерпение" (a noun meaning impatience), e.g., using "нетерпеливый" where a noun is needed.
    Correct: Use "нетерпение" for the abstract concept, as in "Его нетерпение было очевидным". Explanation: "Impatient" is adjectival, so ensure the sentence structure matches.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, impatience (нетерпеливый) is often associated with the fast-paced demands of modern life, such as in urban settings like Moscow. Historically, it contrasts with the traditional Russian value of "terpenie" (patience), which is seen as a virtue in literature like Tolstoy's works, where characters endure hardships stoically. This word can carry a subtle negative connotation, reflecting cultural emphasis on resilience.

Related Concepts:

  • терпение (patience)
  • вспыльчивость (irritability)
  • торопливость (haste)