Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'irritability'

English Word: irritability

Key Russian Translations:

• раздражительность [rəzdrəʐʲɪˈtʲelʲnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, used in psychological or medical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in medical, psychological, and everyday discussions about emotions, but not in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding abstract emotional states and basic noun inflections; learners at this level can grasp it with practice)

Pronunciation (Russian):

раздражительность: [rəzdrəʐʲɪˈtʲelʲnəsʲtʲ]

Note on раздражительность: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("telʲ"), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to Russian's complex stress patterns. Pronounce the 'zh' sound as in 'measure'.

Audio: Play Pronunciation Audio [Insert audio player or link here]

Meanings and Usage:

The quality of being easily annoyed or provoked

Translation(s) & Context:

• раздражительность - Typically used in formal contexts like psychology, medicine, or descriptions of temperament; contrasts with everyday English usage by emphasizing emotional instability.

Usage Examples:

• Его раздражительность часто проявляется в стрессовых ситуациях.

  His irritability often manifests in stressful situations.

• Раздражительность может быть симптомом усталости или нервного истощения.

  Irritability can be a symptom of fatigue or nervous exhaustion.

• В детстве её раздражительность заставляла родителей беспокоиться.

  In childhood, her irritability made her parents worry.

• Повышенная раздражительность — это распространённая реакция на хронический стресс.

  Increased irritability is a common reaction to chronic stress.

• Его раздражительность в общении с коллегами снижает продуктивность команды.

  His irritability in interactions with colleagues reduces the team's productivity.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Раздражительность is a feminine noun of the third declension in Russian, which means it follows standard patterns for feminine abstract nouns. It is relatively regular but can vary by case and number. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, but pay attention to the soft endings in certain cases, which are common in Russian abstract nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • нервозность (nervousness) - Similar but often implies more anxiety-related agitation.
  • вспыльчивость (irascibility) - Used for quick temper, especially in interpersonal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • спокойствие (calmness) - Directly opposite, indicating a state of tranquility.
  • терпение (patience) - Emphasizes endurance without annoyance.

Related Phrases:

• Повышенная раздражительность - Increased irritability; often used in medical contexts to describe heightened emotional sensitivity.
• Раздражительность характера - Irritability of character; refers to a personality trait in psychological discussions.
• Борьба с раздражительностью - Fighting irritability; a common phrase in self-help or therapy scenarios.

Usage Notes:

Раздражительность directly corresponds to the English "irritability" but is more commonly used in formal or professional settings, such as psychology or health discussions, rather than casual conversation. English speakers should note that Russian often pairs this word with adjectives like "повышенная" (increased) to specify intensity. When choosing between synonyms like нервозность, consider the context: use раздражительность for general annoyance and вспыльчивость for sudden outbursts. Grammatically, always ensure it agrees in case with surrounding elements, as Russian nouns must inflect.

• In medical contexts, it's neutral and descriptive.
• Avoid overusing in informal speech; opt for simpler terms if discussing everyday emotions.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse раздражительность with раздражение (irritation, a more immediate feeling). For example:

• Error: Using "раздражение" to describe a personality trait, e.g., "Его раздражение постоянное" (meaning "His irritation is constant"), which implies a temporary state.
• Correct: "Его раздражительность постоянна" - This properly conveys a ongoing character trait. Explanation: Раздражение is a noun for a momentary annoyance, while раздражительность refers to a sustained quality.
• Another common mistake is incorrect case agreement, e.g., saying "Из-за раздражительность" instead of "Из-за раздражительности" (Genitive case required after "из-за"). Always check the governing preposition.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, раздражительность is often linked to discussions of "nervnaya sistema" (nervous system) in literature and psychology, influenced by historical figures like Pavlov. It reflects a cultural emphasis on emotional restraint, where excessive irritability might be seen as a sign of weakness or imbalance, especially in professional or social settings.

Related Concepts:

• стресс (stress)
• тревога (anxiety)
• эмоциональная нестабильность (emotional instability)