Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'malignity'

English Word: malignity

Key Russian Translations:

• злоба [ˈzloba] - [Formal, often used in literary or serious contexts]
• зло [ˈzlo] - [Informal, general everyday usage]
• злокачественность [zləkəˈʧʲestvʲɪnnəstʲ] - [Formal, specifically in medical or scientific contexts, e.g., for malignant tumors]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, psychology, and medical discussions, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of nuanced emotions and formal vocabulary; for 'злокачественность', it may be C1 due to its specialized use)

Pronunciation (Russian):

злоба: [ˈzloba]

Note on злоба: The stress is on the first syllable; the 'з' sound is a voiced alveolar fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers used to 'z' as in "zoo".

зло: [ˈzlo]

Note on зло: Similar to 'злоба', but shorter; ensure the 'o' is pronounced as a mid-back rounded vowel.

злокачественность: [zləkəˈʧʲestvʲɪnnəstʲ]

Note on злокачественность: This is a compound word; break it down as 'зло-' (evil) + '-качественность' (quality), with primary stress on the fourth syllable. Palatalized consonants like 'ʧʲ' may require practice.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Malice or spitefulness (general emotional sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• злоба - Used in contexts involving deep-seated resentment or ill will, such as in personal relationships or literature.
• зло - Applied more broadly to evil intentions or actions in everyday conversations.

Usage Examples:

• Его злоба не знала границ, когда он узнал правду. (His malignity knew no bounds when he learned the truth.)

  English Translation: His malignity knew no bounds when he learned the truth.

• Злоба в его глазах была очевидна во время спора. (The malignity in his eyes was evident during the argument.)

  English Translation: The malignity in his eyes was evident during the argument.

• Она скрывала свою злобу под маской дружбы. (She concealed her malignity under a mask of friendship.)

  English Translation: She concealed her malignity under a mask of friendship.

• Злоба часто приводит к разрушительным действиям. (Malignity often leads to destructive actions.)

  English Translation: Malignity often leads to destructive actions.

2. Malignancy in a medical sense (e.g., cancerous growth)

Translation(s) & Context:

• злокачественность - Specifically for tumors or diseases, in professional or medical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Врачи диагностировали злокачественность опухоли. (The doctors diagnosed the malignity of the tumor.)

  English Translation: The doctors diagnosed the malignity of the tumor.

• Злокачественность рака делает его опасным. (The malignity of cancer makes it dangerous.)

  English Translation: The malignity of cancer makes it dangerous.

• Лечение злокачественности требует оперативного вмешательства. (Treating the malignity requires surgical intervention.)

  English Translation: Treating the malignity requires surgical intervention.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'злоба' (a feminine noun, 1st declension):

For 'зло' (neuter noun, indeclinable in some uses but follows standard patterns):

It is often used in its base form and does not change in many contexts, but in plural: зло → зол (though rare). No significant inflections.

For 'злокачественность' (feminine abstract noun):

Follows regular feminine patterns: e.g., Genitive: злокачественности; it is largely invariable in casual use but fully declinable in formal writing.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • злость (zlost' - similar to злоба but more intense; used for sudden anger)
  • ненависть (nenavist' - hatred, with a deeper emotional connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • доброта (dobrota - kindness)
  • милосердие (miloserodie - mercy)

Related Phrases:

• Злоба сердца (Zloba serdtsa) - Malignity of the heart; a phrase used in literary contexts to describe deep-seated evil.
• Полная злокачественность (Polnaya zlokachestvennost') - Complete malignity; often in medical reports for aggressive cancers.
• Зло в чистом виде (Zlo v chistom vide) - Evil in its pure form; an idiomatic expression for pure malignity in moral discussions.

Usage Notes:

'Злоба' and 'зло' are direct equivalents for the emotional sense of 'malignity' in Russian, but 'злоба' is preferred in formal or written language, while 'зло' suits informal speech. In medical contexts, always use 'злокачественность' to avoid confusion. Be cautious with context: Russian often pairs these words with emotional descriptors, e.g., in literature. When choosing between translations, consider the register—'злоба' for sustained malice, 'зло' for general evil. Grammatically, these nouns require appropriate case agreement with verbs or prepositions.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'злоба' with 'злость', using 'злость' for long-term malignity when 'злоба' is more accurate. Error: "Его злость длилась годы" (incorrect for deep malignity). Correct: "Его злоба длилась годы". Explanation: 'Злость' implies temporary anger, while 'злоба' denotes enduring spite.
• Mispronouncing the stress in 'злокачественность', e.g., stressing the wrong syllable, which can make it sound unnatural. Error: Pronouncing as [zləˈkæʧestvʲɪnnəstʲ]. Correct: [zləkəˈʧʲestvʲɪnnəstʲ]. Explanation: Proper stress aids comprehension in professional settings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'злоба' often appear in literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works) to depict the darker aspects of human nature, reflecting historical themes of suffering and resilience. 'Зло' can carry philosophical undertones, as in Russian Orthodox discussions of good versus evil, emphasizing moral struggles in everyday life.

Related Concepts:

• ненависть (nenavist' - hatred)
• зависть (zavist' - envy)
• гнев (gnev - wrath)