Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'neurotic'

English Word: neurotic

Key Russian Translations:

• нейротик [nejrɐˈtʲik] - [Informal, as a noun; refers to a person with neurotic traits]
• нейротический [nejrɐˈtʲiʧʲeskʲij] - [Formal, as an adjective; describes neurotic behavior or conditions]

Frequency: Medium - Commonly encountered in psychological, medical, or literary contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation.

Difficulty: B2 - Intermediate level, as it involves vocabulary from psychology and requires understanding of Russian adjective and noun inflections; for 'нейротический', it may be slightly harder due to its formal usage.

Pronunciation (Russian):

нейротик: [nejrɐˈtʲik]

Note on нейротик: The stress falls on the second syllable ('tʲik'). Pronunciation can vary slightly in fast speech, where the 'r' sound may soften.

нейротический: [nejrɐˈtʲiʧʲeskʲij]

Note on нейротический: This is a longer word; pay attention to the palatalized 'tʲ' and the final soft 'ij' sound, which is common in Russian adjectives. It may be challenging for learners due to its length and stress on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: As a noun, referring to a person exhibiting neurotic behavior (e.g., excessive anxiety or emotional instability).

Translation(s) & Context:

• нейротик - Used in informal or psychological discussions to describe someone with neurotic tendencies, often in everyday or therapeutic contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Мой друг - типичный нейротик, он постоянно беспокоится о мелких вещах.

  My friend is a typical neurotic; he constantly worries about trivial things.

• В психологии нейротик часто избегает социальных ситуаций из-за страхов.

  In psychology, a neurotic often avoids social situations due to fears.

• Эта книга описывает жизнь нейротика в современном мире.

  This book describes the life of a neurotic in the modern world.

• Как нейротик, она не может расслабиться без ежедневных ритуалов.

  As a neurotic, she can't relax without her daily rituals.

Meaning 2: As an adjective, relating to neurosis or characterized by neurotic traits (e.g., irrational fears or compulsive behavior).

Translation(s) & Context:

• нейротический - Employed in formal, medical, or academic settings to describe conditions or behaviors linked to neurosis.

Usage Examples:

• Его нейротическое поведение проявляется в постоянных сомнениях.

  His neurotic behavior manifests in constant doubts.

• Врачи диагностировали у неё нейротическое расстройство.

  Doctors diagnosed her with a neurotic disorder.

• Эта проблема имеет нейротический характер, а не физический.

  This issue has a neurotic nature, not a physical one.

• Нейротический страх перед высотой может быть преодолён терапией.

  Neurotic fear of heights can be overcome with therapy.

• В литературе часто изображают нейротических персонажей для показа внутренних конфликтов.

  In literature, neurotic characters are often depicted to show internal conflicts.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Нейротик' is a masculine noun (Type I declension in Russian). It follows standard patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, with changes in cases and numbers. 'Нейротический' is an adjective that agrees with the noun it modifies, showing gender, number, and case variations.

Note: These forms are regular, but learners should practice case agreements to avoid errors.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • истеричный - Similar but implies more dramatic emotional outbursts; often used in everyday language.
  • нервозный - Milder synonym, focusing on general nervousness rather than deep-seated neurosis.
• Antonyms:
  • спокойный - Indicates calmness and stability, contrasting with emotional instability.
  • уравновешенный - Suggests balance and composure, especially in psychological contexts.

Related Phrases:

• нейротическое поведение - Neurotic behavior; used to describe patterns of excessive worry in psychological discussions.
• страдать от невроза - To suffer from neurosis; a common phrase in medical or self-help contexts.
• нейротический тип личности - Neurotic personality type; refers to classifications in personality psychology.

Usage Notes:

Use 'нейротик' when referring to a person as a noun, which directly mirrors the English 'neurotic' in informal settings, but opt for 'нейротический' as an adjective in formal or medical contexts to maintain precision. Be cautious with cultural nuances: in Russian, these terms often carry a neutral or clinical tone rather than a derogatory one, unlike in English. For grammar, ensure adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify. When choosing between translations, select based on context—e.g., psychological literature favors 'нейротический'.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'нейротик' with 'психик' (psychic), leading to misuse in sentences like "Он психик" instead of "Он нейротик". Correct: "Он нейротик" means "He is a neurotic", while "психик" refers to something related to the mind, not specifically neurosis. Explanation: This mix-up stems from overlapping psychological terms; always check the root for accuracy.

• Error: Forgetting case agreement, e.g., saying "с нейротик" instead of "с нейротиком" in the instrumental case. Correct: Use "с нейротиком" for "with the neurotic". Explanation: Russian requires strict case endings, which English learners often overlook, altering the sentence's meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'нейротик' are heavily influenced by Western psychology, particularly Freudian concepts introduced in the 20th century. They often appear in literature (e.g., in works by Chekhov or modern authors) to depict characters struggling with internal conflicts, reflecting broader societal themes of emotional repression during the Soviet era. Understanding this can help English speakers appreciate the subtle stigma or empathy associated with these words in Russian media.

Related Concepts:

• психоз
• невроз
• истерия