Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'longing'

English Word: longing

Key Russian Translations:

• тоска [ˈtoskə] - [Formal, Noun, Often used in literary or emotional contexts]
• желание [ʐɪˈlanʲje] - [Informal, Noun, Typically for general desires rather than deep emotional longing]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, poetry, and everyday conversations about emotions, but not as frequent in casual speech as in English)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate for 'тоска' due to its cultural nuances; A2 for 'желание' as it's more straightforward)

Pronunciation (Russian):

тоска: [ˈtoskə]

желание: [ʐɪˈlanʲje]

Note on тоска: The 'о' sound is pronounced like the 'o' in "hot," but with a soft, melancholic tone. Be aware of regional variations in stress.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Deep emotional yearning or melancholy

Translation(s) & Context:

• тоска - Used in formal or poetic contexts to express a profound, often inexplicable sadness or longing, such as for a person or homeland.
• желание - Applied in informal settings for a strong wish or desire, but less intense than тоска.

Usage Examples:

• Она чувствует тоску по своей родине, когда смотрит на старые фотографии.

  She feels a longing for her homeland when she looks at old photos.

• Его тоска по былым дням не позволяет ему двигаться дальше.

  His longing for the past days prevents him from moving forward.

• Это желание увидеть друзей снова перерастает в настоящую тоску.

  This desire to see friends again turns into genuine longing.

• В её глазах отражается тоска по утраченному счастью.

  In her eyes, there is a reflection of longing for lost happiness.

• Его желание путешествовать быстро превратилось в тоску, когда планы сорвались.

  His desire to travel quickly turned into longing when the plans fell through.

2. General sense of desire or missing something

Translation(s) & Context:

• желание - Common in everyday contexts for wanting something, like an object or experience, without the emotional depth of тоска.

Usage Examples:

• Его желание купить новую машину растёт с каждым днём.

  His longing to buy a new car grows every day.

• Тоска по приключениям толкает его на рискованные поступки.

  The longing for adventures pushes him to take risky actions.

• Это простое желание общения иногда перерастает в глубокую тоску.

  This simple desire for communication sometimes turns into deep longing.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'тоска' and 'желание' are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard feminine declension patterns. 'Тоска' is irregular in some forms due to its emotional and literary usage, while 'желание' is more regular.

Note: 'Тоска' is often used in singular form and doesn't change much in plural, as it's an abstract concept.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • грусть [ɡrustʲ] - A milder form of sadness, often interchangeable in casual contexts.
  • ностальгия [nɐstalʲˈɡʲijə] - Specifically for nostalgic longing, with a focus on the past.
• Antonyms:
  • радость [ˈradəstʲ] - Joy or happiness, directly opposing deep emotional longing.
  • удовлетворение [udəvlʲetvəˈrʲenʲje] - Satisfaction, used when desires are fulfilled.

Related Phrases:

• тоска по родине - Homesickness; a phrase expressing longing for one's native land, common in expatriate contexts.
• глубокое желание - Deep desire; used for intense wants, similar to emotional longing but less culturally laden.
• тоска сердца - Heartache; a poetic expression for inner emotional pain or yearning.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'тоска' carries a deeper, more culturally specific connotation than the English 'longing', often implying a soulful melancholy as described in Russian literature (e.g., by Chekhov). Use 'желание' for everyday desires to avoid over-dramatizing. Be mindful of context: 'тоска' is formal and literary, while 'желание' fits informal speech. When choosing between translations, opt for 'тоска' in emotional or poetic scenarios and 'желание' for practical ones.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'тоска' with 'грусть': Learners might use 'тоска' interchangeably with 'грусть' (sadness), but 'тоска' is more intense. Incorrect: "Я чувствую грусть по друзьям" (if deep longing is meant). Correct: "Я чувствую тоску по друзьям". Explanation: 'Грусть' is milder and lacks the profound emotional weight.

• Overusing 'желание' for emotional contexts: English speakers might translate all forms of 'longing' as 'желание', which can sound too neutral. Incorrect: "Его желание по семье" (implies a simple want). Correct: "Его тоска по семье". Explanation: Reserve 'желание' for desires without heavy emotion.

Cultural Notes:

The word 'тоска' is deeply embedded in Russian culture, often representing a unique form of spiritual anguish or existential yearning, as explored in works by authors like Dostoevsky and Turgenev. It's not just sadness; it's a profound, almost beautiful melancholy that reflects the Russian soul's complexity, making it hard to fully translate into English.

Related Concepts:

• ностальгия
• грусть
• тревога