Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mope'

English Word: mope

Key Russian Translations:

• хандрить [xanˈdrʲitʲ] - [Informal, often used in everyday conversation to describe temporary gloom]
• унывать [uˈnɨvatʲ] - [Formal, literary contexts, implying a deeper, more persistent dejection]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in casual speech but appear in literature or discussions about emotions.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian verb conjugations and emotional vocabulary. For 'хандрить', it's slightly easier due to its informal nature; for 'унывать', it may lean towards B2.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

хандрить: [xanˈdrʲitʲ]

Note on хандрить: The initial 'х' is a voiceless velar fricative (like the 'ch' in Scottish 'loch'), which can be challenging for English speakers. Stress falls on the second syllable.

унывать: [uˈnɨvatʲ]

Note on унывать: The 'ы' sound is a high central vowel, distinct from English 'i'; pronounce it with a neutral tongue position. Stress is on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: To be in a state of gloomy, dejected abstraction, often without a clear reason.

Translation(s) & Context:

• хандрить - Used in informal, everyday contexts, such as describing someone's mood in casual conversations or literature.
• унывать - Applied in more formal or literary settings, emphasizing prolonged sadness, like in poetry or philosophical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Он хандрит дома, не желая выходить на улицу из-за дождя.

  He is moping at home, not wanting to go out because of the rain.

• После неудачи на работе она начала хандрить, но быстро справилась.

  After the failure at work, she started moping but quickly got over it.

• Дети иногда хандрят по мелочам, но это проходит быстро.

  Kids sometimes mope over trivial things, but it passes quickly.

• В старом фильме герой унывает в одиночестве, размышляя о жизни.

  In the old film, the hero is moping in solitude, pondering life.

• Она унывает из-за потери друга, но старается не показывать это.

  She is moping due to the loss of a friend but tries not to show it.

Secondary meaning: To move or act in a listless or dejected manner (less common).

Translation(s) & Context:

• хандрить - In contexts involving physical sluggishness, paired with actions like wandering aimlessly.
• унывать - Less common for this nuance; used metaphorically in descriptive writing.

Usage Examples:

• Он хандрит по комнатам, не находя себе места.

  He is moping around the rooms, not finding a place for himself.

• В плохое настроение она унывает, медленно передвигаясь.

  In a bad mood, she is moping, moving slowly.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'хандрить' and 'унывать' are Russian verbs of the first conjugation, which typically follow regular patterns but have some irregularities in aspect and tense. 'Хандрить' is imperfective, while related perfective forms might include 'захандрить' (to start moping). 'Унывать' is also imperfective.

These verbs do not have irregular forms but must agree with the subject in person, number, and gender in the past tense.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: унывать (more formal), грустить (to be sad, with subtle emotional depth), тосковать (to feel longing or melancholy)
• Antonyms: веселиться (to have fun, directly opposite in mood), ликовать (to rejoice, more intense)

Related Phrases:

• впадать в хандру - To fall into a state of melancholy; often used to describe sudden mood drops in informal contexts.
• хандра накатывает - Melancholy overwhelms; implies an emotional wave, common in self-reflection.
• унылый день - A gloomy day; a fixed phrase for describing dreary weather or atmosphere.

Usage Notes:

'Хандрить' is more colloquial and best used in spoken language or informal writing, while 'унывать' suits formal or literary contexts. English 'mope' doesn't have a perfect one-to-one match in Russian, so choose based on context: use 'хандрить' for temporary, light-hearted gloom and 'унывать' for deeper dejection. Be mindful of aspect in Russian verbs—pair with perfective forms like 'захандрить' for completed actions. In sentences, ensure subject-verb agreement for proper grammar.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'хандрить' in formal writing, e.g., "Он хандрит в офисе" (incorrect for professional contexts). Correct: "Он унывает в офисе." Explanation: 'Хандрить' is too informal; opt for 'унывать' to maintain tone.

• Error: Misconjugating the verb, e.g., saying "Он хандрится" instead of "Он хандрит." Correct: "Он хандрит." Explanation: 'Хандрить' doesn't require a reflexive particle; adding '-ся' changes the meaning unnecessarily.

• Error: Confusing with similar verbs, e.g., using 'грустить' when 'хандрить' implies idleness. Correct: Contextually choose based on nuance. Explanation: English speakers might overgeneralize, but Russian requires precision in emotional shades.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'хандра' (related to 'хандрить') evoke the concept of the "Russian soul," often linked to melancholy and introspection, as seen in literature by authors like Chekhov. This reflects a cultural acceptance of emotional depth, where moping might be viewed as a natural response to life's hardships rather than something to avoid.

Related Concepts:

• тоска
• скука
• меланхолия