Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lunatic'

English Word: lunatic

Key Russian Translations:

• сумасшедший [su.məʂ.ʂe.dʲɪj] - [Informal, often used in everyday speech for irrational behavior]
• псих [psʲix] - [Slang, highly informal and potentially offensive]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, media, and casual conversations, but not as frequent as everyday words like "man" or "house")

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; involves understanding adjective inflections and contextual nuances. For 'псих', it remains at B1 due to its slang nature and potential social implications.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сумасшедший: [su.məʂ.ʂe.dʲɪj]

Note on сумасшедший: Stress falls on the third syllable ('ʂe'), and the 'щ' sound is a soft, voiceless palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers. Avoid over-emphasizing the 'dʲ' ending.

псих: [psʲix]

Note on псих: The initial 'пс' is pronounced as a single cluster, with a soft 'с' sound; it's a short, sharp word often said quickly in informal settings.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A person who is mentally ill or behaves irrationally.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сумасшедший - Used in informal contexts to describe someone acting wildly or unpredictably, often with a humorous or derogatory tone.
• псих - Applied in slang situations, such as in arguments or casual storytelling, to label someone as crazy, but it's best avoided in formal writing.

Usage Examples:

• Он сумасшедший, если думает, что сможет перелезть через забор.

  He is a lunatic if he thinks he can climb over the fence.

• Не слушай его, он просто псих и болтает nonsense.

  Don't listen to him; he's just a lunatic and talking nonsense.

• В фильме главный герой играет сумасшедшего учёного.

  In the movie, the main character plays a lunatic scientist.

• Она назвала меня психом за мою идею путешествия в одиночку.

  She called me a lunatic for my idea of traveling alone.

• Сумасшедший водитель едва не устроил аварию на шоссе.

  The lunatic driver almost caused an accident on the highway.

Meaning 2: Figuratively, someone who is extremely enthusiastic or obsessive (e.g., a workaholic).

Translation(s) & Context:

• сумасшедший - In positive or neutral contexts, like describing a passionate hobbyist, but still informal.

Usage Examples:

• Он сумасшедший фанат футбола и смотрит все матчи.

  He is a lunatic fan of football and watches every game.

• Её сумасшедшая идея о стартапе сработала.

  Her lunatic idea for a startup worked out.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'сумасшедший' is an adjective, so it inflects based on gender, number, and case in Russian. 'псих' is a noun and inflects as a masculine noun with some irregularities.

If the word is used in fixed phrases, it may not inflect, e.g., 'сумасшедший дом' (madhouse), where it's invariant.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • безумный (bezumnyj) - More literary, emphasizing complete madness.
  • психический (psikhicheskij) - Formal, relating to mental health.
• Antonyms:
  • нормальный (normal'nyj) - Meaning sane or ordinary.
  • рассудительный (rassuditel'nyj) - Meaning reasonable or level-headed.

Related Phrases:

• сумасшедший дом - A madhouse or asylum; used figuratively for chaotic situations.
• псих в маске - A maniac in a mask; common in thriller contexts.
• сойти с ума - To go mad; a phrase implying sudden lunacy.

Usage Notes:

'Lunatic' translates most directly to 'сумасшедший' in informal settings, but be cautious with 'псих' as it can be derogatory or slangy, similar to 'nutjob' in English. In formal contexts, opt for 'психический' or rephrase entirely. Russian adjectives like 'сумасшедший' must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key difference from English. For example, use 'сумасшедшая' for a female subject. When choosing between translations, consider the audience: 'псих' is for casual, youth-oriented speech, while 'сумасшедший' fits broader contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'сумасшедший' in formal writing without proper inflection. For instance, saying "Она сумасшедший" instead of "Она сумасшедшая". Correct: Ensure gender agreement, as in "Она сумасшедшая женщина".

• Error: Confusing 'псих' with 'психолог' (psychologist). Learners might say "Он псих" when meaning a mental health professional. Correct: Use 'псих' only for informal, negative descriptions of insanity, and clarify context to avoid offense.

• Error: Overusing in positive contexts; 'сумасшедший' can sound negative even when meant playfully. Correct: In enthusiastic scenarios, pair with positive modifiers, e.g., "Он сумасшедший, но талантливый" (He is a lunatic, but talented).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'сумасшедший' often carry historical connotations from literature (e.g., in Dostoevsky's works, where madness symbolizes deeper societal issues). Avoid using casually in Russia, as mental health stigma is prevalent, and it might be seen as insensitive, especially post-Soviet era reforms in psychology.

Related Concepts:

• психиатрия (psychiatry)
• безумие (madness)
• невроз (neurosis)