Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'macabre'

English Word: macabre

Key Russian Translations:

• маккабр [mɐˈkabʲr] - [Formal, Literary; used in contexts involving horror or the grotesque]
• жуткий [ˈʐutkʲɪj] - [Informal, Everyday; often conveys a sense of eerie or creepy in casual speech]
• мрачный [ˈmraʧnɨj] - [Neutral; applicable in both formal and informal settings, emphasizing gloominess]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation; more prevalent in literature, films, or artistic discussions.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with adjectives and nuanced vocabulary. 'маккабр' may be harder due to its borrowed status, while 'жуткий' is slightly easier for beginners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

маккабр: [mɐˈkabʲr] (Stress on the second syllable; the 'р' is rolled, common in Russian phonetics.)

жуткий: [ˈʐutkʲɪj] (The initial 'ж' is a voiced palatal fricative; stress on the first syllable.)

мрачный: [ˈmraʧnɨj] (The 'ч' is a voiceless palatal fricative; stress on the first syllable.)

Note on маккабр: This borrowed word from French via English may have slight variations in pronunciation among speakers; ensure the rolled 'р' is not softened in formal contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Pertaining to death, the gruesome, or something morbidly fascinating.

Translation(s) & Context:

• маккабр - Used in formal or literary contexts, such as describing horror films or gothic art; implies a sophisticated sense of the macabre.
• жуткий - Applied in informal everyday situations, like storytelling or casual conversations about scary experiences; conveys a more immediate, visceral eeriness.
• мрачный - Neutral and versatile, often in descriptions of atmospheres or events that are gloomy and death-related; suitable for both spoken and written language.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Фильм был полон маккабрных сцен, которые заставляли зрителей содрогаться.

  English: The film was full of macabre scenes that made viewers shudder.

• Русский: Эта старая усадьба имеет жуткий вид, особенно по ночам.

  English: This old mansion has a macabre appearance, especially at night.

• Русский: Его мрачные рисунки часто изображали сцены из средневековых казней.

  English: His macabre drawings often depicted scenes from medieval executions.

• Русский: В литературе XIX века маккабрные мотивы были популярны среди романтиков.

  English: In 19th-century literature, macabre motifs were popular among romantics.

• Русский: Жуткий звук в подвале оказался всего лишь ветром, но он напугал всех.

  English: The macabre sound in the basement turned out to be just the wind, but it scared everyone.

Meaning 2: Evoking a morbid or grim humor.

Translation(s) & Context:

• маккабр - In artistic or intellectual contexts, such as black comedy; emphasizes dark irony.
• жуткий - Informal, for everyday humorous takes on scary topics; less intellectual than 'маккабр'.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Его юмор был маккабрным, часто затрагивая темы смерти и загробной жизни.

  English: His humor was macabre, often touching on themes of death and the afterlife.

• Русский: Жуткий анекдот про кладбище рассмешил компанию, несмотря на его мрачность.

  English: The macabre joke about the cemetery made the group laugh, despite its grimness.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations ('маккабр', 'жуткий', 'мрачный') are adjectives in Russian, which typically inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard adjectival declension patterns.

Note: These are regular adjectival inflections. 'маккабр' is a borrowed word and follows standard patterns without irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ужасный (uzhasnyy) - More intense, emphasizing terror; often used interchangeably in horror contexts.
  • страшный (strashnyy) - Common for frightening things; differs by focusing on fear rather than morbidity.
• Antonyms:
  • весёлый (vesyolyy) - Cheerful, directly opposite in tone.
  • радостный (radostnyy) - Joyful, contrasting the grim nature.

Related Phrases:

• маккабрный юмор - Macabre humor; a dark, ironic style of comedy involving morbid topics.
• жуткая история - Eerie story; refers to a scary or unsettling narrative.
• мрачные тайны - Gloomy secrets; used for mysterious, death-related enigmas in literature.

Usage Notes:

'Macabre' translates most directly to 'маккабр' in formal Russian, especially in artistic or literary contexts, but 'жуткий' or 'мрачный' are more natural for everyday use. Choose based on context: use 'маккабр' for precise, borrowed connotations, and the others for broader emotional impact. Be mindful of gender and case agreement in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match their nouns. This word often appears in discussions of horror genres, so it's useful in cultural or media-related conversations.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'маккабр' as a noun instead of an adjective (e.g., saying "маккабр" alone to mean "a macabre thing").
  Correct: "маккабрная история" (a macabre story).
  Explanation: In Russian, adjectives need to modify nouns; standalone use can confuse listeners.
• Mistake: Overusing 'жуткий' in formal writing, where 'маккабр' is more appropriate.
  Correct: Replace with 'маккабрный' in literary contexts.
  Explanation: 'Жуткий' sounds too casual for professional or artistic discussions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'маккабр' often evoke themes from folklore and literature, such as those in Gogol's works or Soviet-era horror films. The concept of the macabre is tied to Russia's historical fascination with death and the supernatural, influenced by Orthodox traditions and dark fairy tales, adding layers of melancholy and existential depth.

Related Concepts:

• страх (strakh) - Fear
• смерть (smert') - Death
• готический (goticheskiy) - Gothic