Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'malice'

English Word: malice

Key Russian Translations:

• злоба [ˈzɫəbə] - [Formal, often used in literary or serious contexts]
• злость [ˈzɫostʲ] - [Informal, everyday speech for anger or spite]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature and discussions of emotions, but not as frequent in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires understanding of noun declensions and emotional nuances; for 'злоба', it's slightly more advanced due to formal usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

злоба: [ˈzɫəbə]

Note on злоба: The initial 'з' is a voiced alveolar fricative, which can be tricky for English speakers; stress is on the first syllable.

злость: [ˈzɫostʲ]

Note on злость: The final 'ть' is a palatalized 't' sound, common in Russian adjectives and nouns; pronounce with a soft ending.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Malice as ill intent or deep-seated resentment

Translation(s) & Context:

• злоба - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe long-term malice, such as in interpersonal conflicts or psychological descriptions.
• злость - Applied in informal settings for sudden or petty malice, like in arguments or everyday annoyances.

Usage Examples:

• Он действовал из злобы, разрушив их дружбу. (He acted out of malice, destroying their friendship.)

  He acted out of malice, destroying their friendship.

• Её злость проявилась в язвительных комментариях. (Her malice showed in her sarcastic comments.)

  Her malice showed in her sarcastic comments.

• В его глазах читалась чистая злоба. (Pure malice was evident in his eyes.)

  Pure malice was evident in his eyes.

• Злоба иногда скрывается за маской дружбы. (Malice is sometimes hidden behind a mask of friendship.)

  Malice is sometimes hidden behind a mask of friendship.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'злоба' and 'злость' are feminine nouns in Russian, which follow standard declension patterns for third-declension nouns. They are invariable in terms of gender but change based on case and number.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular forms but must agree with adjectives and verbs in gender, number, and case, which is a common feature in Russian syntax.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ненависть (nenavist') - Stronger connotation of hate, often more intense than everyday malice.
  • коварство (kovarstvo) - Implies deceitful malice, used in contexts of treachery.
• Antonyms:
  • доброта (dobrota) - Kindness, directly opposite in emotional tone.
  • милосердие (miloserodie) - Mercy, contrasting with any form of ill intent.

Related Phrases:

• из злобы - Out of malice; used to explain motivations in narratives. (Context: Often in storytelling to describe vengeful actions.)
• с злостью в сердце - With malice in one's heart; a poetic expression for deep resentment. (Context: Literary or emotional descriptions.)
• злоба дня - Malice of the day; refers to current petty grudges or daily spite. (Context: Informal discussions of everyday conflicts.)

Usage Notes:

'Злоба' is the closest direct translation for 'malice' in formal English contexts, such as legal or literary uses, while 'злость' suits informal scenarios like interpersonal spats. English speakers should note that Russian often requires these nouns to be declined based on sentence structure, e.g., in prepositional phrases. When choosing between translations, opt for 'злоба' for enduring ill intent and 'злость' for temporary anger. Be mindful of cultural nuances where malice might be expressed indirectly in Russian communication to avoid confrontation.

• Grammar tip: Always ensure agreement with adjectives, e.g., "большая злоба" (great malice).
• Context tip: In Russian, malice is frequently tied to emotional depth, so use it sparingly in positive or neutral conversations.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'злоба' with 'злость', using 'злость' in formal writing where 'злоба' is more appropriate. For example:

• Incorrect: "Он показал злость в суде." (This sounds too casual for a courtroom setting.)
• Correct: "Он показал злобу в суде." (Better for formal contexts, implying deeper malice.)
• Explanation: The error stems from overlooking the formality level; always consider the context to choose the right word, as 'злость' might diminish the severity in serious situations.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like 'злоба' often appear in literature (e.g., in Dostoevsky's works), reflecting the national psyche's emphasis on internal emotional struggles. Malice is sometimes portrayed as a tragic flaw rather than mere evil, tied to historical themes of suffering and resilience, which can help English users appreciate the depth beyond simple translation.

Related Concepts:

• ненависть (hatred)
• ревность (jealousy)
• зависть (envy)