Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'loathe'

English Word: loathe

Key Russian Translations:

• ненавидеть /nʲɪnəvʲɪˈdʲetʲ/ - [Formal, used to express intense hatred]

Frequency: Medium (This verb is commonly encountered in literature, emotional discussions, and everyday speech, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "любить").

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, according to CEFR; requires understanding of emotional nuances and verb conjugations, which may vary slightly across translations).

Pronunciation (Russian):

ненавидеть: /nʲɪnəvʲɪˈdʲetʲ/

Note on ненавидеть: The pronunciation includes palatalized consonants (e.g., /nʲ/ and /dʲ/), which are common in Russian and may be challenging for English speakers. Stress falls on the third syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To feel intense dislike or hatred towards someone or something.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ненавидеть - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe deep-seated hatred, often in emotional or philosophical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Я ненавижу это блюдо из-за его вкуса.

  I loathe this dish because of its taste. (This example shows the verb in a simple declarative sentence, expressing personal aversion to food.)

• Она ненавидит несправедливость в обществе.

  She loathes injustice in society. (Here, the verb is used in a broader, abstract context, highlighting moral or social disgust.)

• Мы ненавидим дождливые дни в этом городе.

  We loathe rainy days in this city. (This demonstrates plural subject usage and everyday situational hatred.)

• Он ненавидит рано вставать по утрам.

  He loathes getting up early in the mornings. (This example illustrates the verb with an infinitive phrase, common in routine complaints.)

• Дети ненавидят строгие правила в школе.

  Children loathe strict rules at school. (This shows the verb in a context involving groups and institutional settings.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Ненавидеть" is a first-conjugation verb in Russian, which means it follows regular patterns but has some irregularities in certain forms. It is imperfective and can be used in various tenses. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The verb is invariable in its infinitive form and does not change for gender in the past tense except in agreement with the subject.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • возненавидеть (to start hating intensely; implies a sudden onset)
  • презреть (to despise; often with a connotation of looking down upon)
• Antonyms:
  • любить (to love)
  • уважать (to respect)

Related Phrases:

• Ненавидеть всем сердцем - To loathe with all one's heart (Used to emphasize deep, unwavering hatred in emotional contexts.)
• Ненавидеть на расстоянии - To loathe from afar (Refers to hating something or someone without direct interaction, common in literary descriptions.)
• Ненавидеть себя - To loathe oneself (A phrase for self-hatred, often in psychological or reflective discussions.)

Usage Notes:

"Ненавидеть" directly corresponds to "loathe" in English by conveying strong emotional aversion, but it is more intense and formal in Russian usage. It is typically reserved for significant dislikes rather than minor annoyances. Be mindful of context: in informal speech, Russians might opt for milder alternatives like "не любить" for everyday dislikes. When choosing between translations, use "ненавидеть" for profound hatred and ensure subject-verb agreement in conjugations. This verb often appears in imperfective aspect for ongoing feelings.

Common Errors:

• Confusing conjugation: English learners often mistakenly use the infinitive "ненавидеть" in places where a conjugated form is needed, e.g., saying "Я ненавидеть это" instead of "Я ненавижу это." Correct usage: Always conjugate based on the subject (e.g., "Я ненавижу").

• Overusing in casual contexts: Beginners might use "ненавидеть" for simple dislikes, like "I don't like this," leading to exaggeration. Error example: "Я ненавидеть дождь" (incorrect inflection and intensity). Correct: "Я не люблю дождь" for mild dislike, or properly: "Я ненавижу дождь" if truly intense.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "ненавидеть" are often tied to themes of passion and intensity in literature and art, as seen in works by authors like Dostoevsky. Hatred is portrayed as a deep, transformative emotion, reflecting historical contexts of hardship and resilience, which can make its usage more dramatic than in English.

Related Concepts:

• гнев (anger)
• негодование (indignation)
• презрение (contempt)