Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'insulting'

English Word: insulting

Key Russian Translations:

• оскорбительный [ɐskɐrˈbʲitʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Formal]
• обидающий [ɐbʲɪˈdaʊʂɕɪj] - [Informal, less common in written contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday discussions, literature, and media, but not as frequent as basic adjectives)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective inflections and formal vocabulary; varies slightly by translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

оскорбительный: [ɐskɐrˈbʲitʲɪlʲnɨj]

обидающий: [ɐbʲɪˈdaʊʂɕɪj]

Note on оскорбительный: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("bʲitʲ"), which can be tricky for learners due to Russian's variable stress patterns. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Note on обидающий: This word has a softer, more conversational tone; the "ш" sound is palatalized, similar to English "sh" in "shoe."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Offensive or derogatory in nature, causing hurt or disrespect.

Translation(s) & Context:

• оскорбительный - Used in formal contexts, such as legal documents, social critiques, or professional settings to describe behavior or language that is intentionally hurtful.
• обидающий - Applied in informal or everyday conversations, often implying emotional impact rather than legal offense.

Usage Examples:

• Его комментарии были оскорбительными и вызвали скандал в обществе.

  His comments were insulting and caused a scandal in society.

• Эта шутка обидающая, особенно для тех, кто чувствителен к таким темам.

  This joke is insulting, especially for those sensitive to such topics.

• Оскорбительное поведение на работе может привести к увольнению.

  Insulting behavior at work can lead to dismissal.

• Иногда обидающие слова произносятся неумышленно, но они всё равно ранят.

  Sometimes insulting words are said unintentionally, but they still hurt.

• В интернете оскорбительные сообщения часто удаляются модераторами.

  On the internet, insulting messages are often removed by moderators.

Meaning 2: Provocative or challenging in a way that offends sensibilities.

Translation(s) & Context:

• оскорбительный - In artistic or critical contexts, such as describing provocative art or satire.

Usage Examples:

• Фильм был намеренно оскорбительным, чтобы вызвать дебаты о социальной несправедливости.

  The film was intentionally insulting to spark debates about social injustice.

• Её речь содержала оскорбительные замечания по адресу правительства.

  Her speech contained insulting remarks directed at the government.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. "Оскорбительный" is a standard adjective with regular inflections, while "Обидающий" follows verbal adjective patterns and can vary more.

Note: These adjectives do not change in predicative positions (e.g., after "быть" - to be), but they must agree with the noun in other uses.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: обидный (more emotional, less formal), унизительный (humiliating, with a sense of degradation)
• Antonyms: комплиментарный (complimentary), уважительный (respectful)

Related Phrases:

• оскорбительное поведение - Insulting behavior; often used in psychological or social contexts to describe rude actions.
• обидающий комментарий - Insulting comment; common in online discussions or casual conversations.
• неприемлемо оскорбительный - Unacceptably insulting; emphasizes the severity in formal settings.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "оскорбительный" is the most direct equivalent to "insulting" and is preferred in written or formal English translations due to its precision. However, "обидающий" may be chosen for more emotional or interpersonal contexts. Be mindful of gender and case agreements when using these adjectives. In everyday speech, Russians might opt for softer alternatives to avoid confrontation, reflecting cultural norms of indirect communication.

• Contextual choice: Use "оскорбительный" for legal or public scenarios, and "обидающий" for personal interactions.
• Grammar tip: Always ensure the adjective agrees with the noun it modifies (e.g., оскорбительная речь for feminine nouns).

Common Errors:

One common mistake is confusing "оскорбительный" with "обида" (noun meaning offense), leading learners to say "Это обида" instead of "Это оскорбительное." Correct usage: "Это оскорбительное замечание" (This is an insulting remark). Another error is failing to inflect properly, e.g., using "оскорбительный" with a feminine noun without changing to "оскорбительная." Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case, unlike in English.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, direct insults can be seen as more confrontational than in some Western societies, often leading to legal actions under laws against "оскорбление" (insult). Words like "оскорбительный" carry historical connotations from Soviet-era censorship, where public speech was heavily regulated, influencing modern usage in media and politics.

Related Concepts:

• ругательство
• унижение
• провокация