Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'moody'

English Word: moody

Key Russian Translations:

• капризный [kɐˈprʲiznɨj] - [Informal, often used for unpredictable moods in everyday contexts]
• нервный [ˈnʲɛrfnɨj] - [Formal, implying a more nervous or irritable disposition]
• угрюмый [ʊˈɡrʲʊmɨj] - [Informal, specific to sullen or gloomy moods]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are commonly encountered in casual conversations, literature, and media, but not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can grasp the concept with exposure to everyday Russian, though mastering inflections may require practice. For 'капризный', it's B1; for 'нервный', it's A2 due to its simpler form.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

капризный: [kɐˈprʲiznɨj]

нервный: [ˈnʲɛrfnɨj]

угрюмый: [ʊˈɡrʲʊmɨj]

Note on капризный: The stress falls on the second syllable; be cautious with the palatalized 'р' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in rapid speech may soften the ending.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Describing someone with unpredictable or changeable moods.

Translation(s) & Context:

• капризный - Used in informal settings to describe emotional unpredictability, such as in family or personal relationships.
• нервный - Applied in more formal or professional contexts, like describing workplace behavior.

Usage Examples:

• Мой брат часто бывает капризным, когда у него плохое настроение.

  My brother is often moody when he's in a bad mood.

• Она становится нервной во время стресса, как настоящий капризный ребенок.

  She becomes moody during stress, like a real capricious child.

• В дождливые дни он всегда нервный и капризный.

  On rainy days, he is always moody and irritable.

• Её капризное поведение заставляет всех нервничать.

  Her moody behavior makes everyone nervous.

• После ссоры он был угрюмым и капризным целый день.

  After the argument, he was moody and sullen all day.

Meaning 2: Referring to something that varies or is inconsistent, e.g., weather or temperament.

Translation(s) & Context:

• переменчивый - Used metaphorically for moods or literally for changing conditions, in both formal and informal contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Его переменчивое настроение делает общение сложным.

  His moody temperament makes communication difficult.

• Весна в России часто капризная и переменчивая.

  Spring in Russia is often moody and changeable.

• Она имеет переменчивый характер, как погода в горах.

  She has a moody character, like the weather in the mountains.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives like 'капризный' follow standard first-declension patterns, while 'нервный' and 'угрюмый' are similar.

For 'нервный' and 'угрюмый', the inflections follow the same pattern as above. These adjectives are regular and do not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • раздражительный (razdrazhitel'nyy) - Similar to 'нервный', but with a focus on irritability; often used in heated contexts.
  • вспыльчивый (vspyhl'chivyy) - Implies quick temper, a nuance of 'капризный' in emotional outbursts.
• Antonyms:
  • спокойный (spokoynyy)
  • уравновешенный (uravnoveshennyy)

Related Phrases:

• Капризная погода - Refers to unpredictable weather, often used metaphorically for moody behavior.
• Нервный срыв - Means a nervous breakdown, highlighting extreme moodiness in stressful situations.
• Быть в капризном настроении - To be in a moody state, commonly used in daily conversations.

Usage Notes:

'Moody' translates most directly to 'капризный' in informal English-Russian contexts, but choose 'нервный' for more formal or medical connotations. Be mindful of gender and case agreements in Russian sentences, as adjectives must match the noun they describe. For example, use 'капризная' for feminine subjects. In spoken Russian, these words often appear in emotional discussions, so they're ideal for intermediate learners practicing real-life dialogues.

• Avoid overusing in formal writing; opt for more neutral terms if describing professional settings.
• When selecting among translations, 'капризный' is best for personal traits, while 'угрюмый' fits descriptions of prolonged gloom.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse gender agreements, e.g., saying 'Она капризный' instead of 'Она капризная'. Correct usage: 'Она капризная' (feminine form). Another error is confusing it with 'каприз' (a noun meaning whim), leading to phrases like 'Он каприз' when intending 'Он капризный'. Explanation: Always use the adjectival form with the correct inflection to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'капризный' can carry a light-hearted or affectionate tone when describing children or pets, reflecting a cultural tolerance for emotional expressiveness. However, in adult contexts, it might imply immaturity, as Russians value 'уравновешенность' (balance) in social interactions, influenced by historical emphasis on collectivism and emotional restraint.

Related Concepts:

• эмоциональный (emotsional'nyy)
• раздражительный (razdrazhitel'nyy)
• настроение (nastroenie)