Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'irascible'

English Word: irascible

Key Russian Translations:

• раздражительный [rɐzdrɐʐɨˈtʲelʲnɨj] - [Adjective, Formal]
• гневливый [ˈɡnʲɛvlʲɪvɨj] - [Adjective, Informal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in descriptive contexts like literature or psychology, but not in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective nuances and context, with раздражительный being slightly more advanced due to its formal connotations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

раздражительный: [rɐzdrɐʐɨˈtʲelʲnɨj]

гневливый: [ˈɡnʲɛvlʲɪvɨj]

Note on раздражительный: The stress falls on the fourth syllable, which can be tricky for learners; pronounce the 'zh' sound as in 'measure'. Variations may occur in rapid speech.

Note on гневливый: The initial 'г' is a voiced velar fricative; ensure it's not confused with a hard 'g' as in English.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Easily provoked to anger or irritability.

Translation(s) & Context:

• раздражительный - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe someone with a quick temper, such as in psychological profiles or character descriptions.
• гневливый - Applied in informal settings, like everyday conversations, to denote sudden anger without deep analysis.

Usage Examples:

• Он очень раздражительный человек, и малейшая критика выводит его из себя.

  He is a very irascible person, and the slightest criticism sets him off.

• Её гневливый характер часто приводит к конфликтам на работе.

  Her irascible nature often leads to conflicts at work.

• Раздражительный сосед всегда шумит по ночам, не заботясь о других.

  The irascible neighbor always makes noise at night, not caring about others.

• Гневливый реакция на простую ошибку может разрушить отношения.

  An irascible reaction to a simple mistake can ruin relationships.

• В стрессовых ситуациях он становится раздражительным и неконтролируемым.

  In stressful situations, he becomes irascible and uncontrollable.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "раздражительный" and "гневливый" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for short and long forms, with variations for agreement. "Раздражительный" is a long-form adjective and does not have irregularities, while "гневливый" follows the same rules.

Note: These adjectives do not change in short form contexts but must agree with the noun they modify.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вспыльчивый (vspyhlchivyy) - More emphasis on sudden outbursts.
  • импульсивный (impul'sivnyy) - Highlights lack of control, often in decision-making contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • спокойный (spokoynyy)
  • терпеливый (terpelivyy)

Related Phrases:

• раздражительный характер - "Irascible nature" (Refers to an inherent personality trait prone to irritation.)
• гневливый всплеск - "Irascible outburst" (Describes a sudden angry reaction in informal settings.)
• быть раздражительным по мелочам - "To be irascible over trifles" (Used to indicate sensitivity to minor issues.)

Usage Notes:

"Irascible" most closely aligns with "раздражительный" in formal English-to-Russian translations, as it conveys a deeper, more enduring temperament. Use "гневливый" for everyday, less intense contexts to avoid sounding overly literary. Be mindful of gender agreement when using these adjectives in sentences, as Russian requires them to match the noun's gender, number, and case. For example, choose "раздражительный" when describing psychological or professional profiles, but opt for "гневливый" in casual dialogue to better fit the informal register.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "раздражительный" in place of "гневливый" in informal speech, which can sound unnatural or pretentious. Correct: Stick to "гневливый" for casual contexts, e.g., Incorrect: "Он раздражительный друг." (He is an irascible friend - too formal). Correct: "Он гневливый друг."
• Mistake: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "раздражительный женщина" instead of "раздражительная женщина." Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender; always check the noun's form before using the adjective.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "раздражительный" often appear in literature, such as in the works of Dostoevsky, to depict characters with intense emotional depth. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on introspection and the expression of inner turmoil, where irascibility might be seen as a sign of passion rather than a flaw, contrasting with more reserved Western portrayals.

Related Concepts:

• гнев (anger)
• терпение (patience)
• импульс (impulse)