Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'meddlesome'

English Word: meddlesome

Key Russian Translations:

• вмешательский [vmeʂəˈtʲelʲskʲɪj] - [Formal; used in contexts involving interference or prying]
• любопытный [lʲʊbɐˈkʊrnɨj] - [Informal; implies curiosity but can carry a negative connotation of meddling]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in formal writing, literature, and discussions about social behavior, but less frequent in everyday spoken language)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective inflections and nuanced connotations, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of basic grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

вмешательский: [vmeʂəˈtʲelʲskʲɪj]

любопытный: [lʲʊbɐˈkʊrnɨj]

Note on вмешательский: The stress falls on the third syllable ("tel"), and the "щ" sound (like "shch" in "fresh cheese") can be tricky for English speakers; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Note on любопытный: The "ы" vowel is a back unrounded sound, distinct from "i"; it's common in everyday speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Interfering or prying into others' affairs, often in a negative or unwanted way.

Translation(s) & Context:

• вмешательский - Used in formal or written contexts to describe someone who habitually interferes, such as in professional or social settings.
• любопытный - Applied in informal contexts, where the interference stems from curiosity, but it can imply annoyance.

Usage Examples:

• Его вмешательский характер часто раздражает друзей, так как он всегда лезет в чужие дела.

  His meddlesome nature often annoys friends, as he always pokes into others' affairs.

• Любопытный сосед постоянно спрашивает о личных делах, что кажется навязчивым.

  The curious neighbor constantly asks about personal matters, which seems meddlesome.

• Вмешательский менеджер вмешивается в каждый проект, не давая команде работать самостоятельно.

  The meddlesome manager interferes in every project, not allowing the team to work independently.

• Её любопытный подход к чужим проблемам иногда помогает, но чаще всего воспринимается как вмешательство.

  Her curious approach to others' problems sometimes helps, but is often seen as meddlesome interference.

• Вмешательский родитель настаивает на контроле над жизнью взрослого ребёнка, что приводит к конфликтам.

  The meddlesome parent insists on controlling the life of an adult child, leading to conflicts.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "вмешательский" and "любопытный" are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow regular patterns, though they can have irregularities in spelling or stress.

For "вмешательский" (regular hard-stem adjective):

For "любопытный" (similar regular pattern):

Note: These adjectives do not change in short form or comparative degrees in standard usage for this context.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вездесущий (implies omnipresence and interference; often used in literary contexts)
  • назойливый (more intense, suggesting persistent annoyance)
• Antonyms:
  • невмешательский (non-interfering)
  • равнодушный (indifferent, lacking interest)

Related Phrases:

• вмешательство в чужие дела - Refers to interference in others' affairs, often with a negative connotation.
• быть любознательным до назойливости - To be curiously meddlesome, highlighting excessive curiosity.
• назойливый сосед - A pesky or meddlesome neighbor, used in everyday complaints.

Usage Notes:

"Вмешательский" directly mirrors the English "meddlesome" in formal contexts, emphasizing unwanted involvement, while "любопытный" is softer and more neutral but can imply negativity. English speakers should note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which has no direct equivalent in English. Use "вмешательский" in professional or written settings for precision, and "любопытный" in casual conversations. Be cautious of cultural nuances: in Russian society, meddling is often viewed as intrusive, so these words carry a stronger negative weight than similar English terms.

• Choose based on context: "вмешательский" for deliberate interference, "любопытный" for accidental or curiosity-driven behavior.
• Grammar tip: Always inflect the adjective to match the subject, e.g., "вмешательская женщина" for a female subject.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "вмешательский" with "любопытный," using the latter too broadly and missing the negative connotation. For example:

• Error: Saying "Он любопытный" to mean purely positive curiosity when it implies meddling.
  Correct: Use "вмешательский" for clear negative interference, e.g., "Он вмешательский" instead of overusing "любопытный."
  Explanation: "Любопытный" can sometimes be positive, so it dilutes the intent; specify with context to avoid ambiguity.
• Error: Failing to inflect the adjective, e.g., saying "вмешательский дом" instead of "вмешательский сосед" without proper agreement.
  Correct: Ensure gender and case match, e.g., "вмешательская проблема" for a feminine noun.
  Explanation: Russian requires agreement, unlike English, which can lead to grammatical errors in sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, being "meddlesome" (e.g., via "вмешательский") is often associated with overbearing family members or neighbors, reflecting a value on personal boundaries. Historically, in Soviet times, such behavior was sometimes linked to community surveillance, adding a layer of sensitivity to words like this in modern contexts.

Related Concepts:

• сплетник (gossipmonger)
• назойливость (peskiness)
• вездесущность (omnipresence)