Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'niggardly'

English Word: niggardly

Key Russian Translations:

• скупой [skúpoj] - [Formal]
• жадный [zhádnыy] - [Informal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations and literature, but not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives like "хороший").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; involves understanding adjective inflections and nuanced connotations. For 'скупой', it's straightforward; for 'жадный', it may vary slightly in intensity.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

скупой: [skúpoj] (Stress on the first syllable; the 'у' is pronounced as a short 'u' sound, similar to 'oo' in 'book').

жадный: [zhádnыy] (Stress on the first syllable; the 'ж' is a soft, voiced fricative like the 's' in 'measure').

Note on скупой: Be mindful of the soft sign (ь) which softens the preceding consonant, affecting pronunciation in inflected forms.

Note on жадный: This word can have a more emotional tone in spoken Russian, so practice with native speakers to capture the nuance.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Stingy or miserly in giving or spending money or resources.

Translation(s) & Context:

• скупой - Used in formal or neutral contexts to describe someone who is excessively reluctant to spend, often implying a negative personality trait in financial matters.
• жадный - Applied in informal settings to emphasize greed, which can extend beyond money to other resources, but may sound more accusatory.

Usage Examples:

• Он очень скупой и никогда не тратит деньги на подарки друзьям.

  He is very niggardly and never spends money on gifts for friends.

• Её скупой подход к бюджету привёл к конфликтам в семье.

  Her niggardly approach to the budget led to conflicts in the family.

• Жадный сосед не делится даже небольшим урожаем из своего сада.

  The niggardly neighbor doesn't share even a small harvest from his garden.

• Скупой босс отказывается повышать зарплаты, несмотря на прибыль компании.

  The niggardly boss refuses to raise salaries despite the company's profits.

• Она стала жадной в старости, скрывая свои сбережения от родных.

  She became niggardly in her old age, hiding her savings from her relatives.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'скупой' and 'жадный' are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard adjectival declension patterns, which are regular for these words.

These adjectives do not have irregular inflections, making them relatively straightforward. For example, in a sentence: "Скупый человек" (The niggardly person), it changes to match the noun's gender and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • скупердяй (more pejorative, implies extreme miserliness)
  • жадный (as listed, but with a stronger emotional connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • щедрый (generous; often used in positive contexts)
  • богатый (wealthy, but not directly antonymous in behavior)

Note: 'Скупердяй' is more informal and can be seen as a noun form, highlighting subtle differences in usage.

Related Phrases:

• скупиться на деньги - To be stingy with money (used in contexts of reluctance to spend).
• жадный до власти - Greedy for power (extends the meaning to non-financial greed, with a brief English explanation: often implies ambition in a negative light).
• быть скупым как меценат - To be as stingy as a patron (a idiomatic expression implying false generosity).

Usage Notes:

'Скупой' is the most direct translation for 'niggardly' in formal contexts, emphasizing financial stinginess without extreme emotion, while 'жадный' is better for informal or broader greed. English speakers should note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify, which can be a common adjustment. For instance, choose 'скупой' in business discussions for precision, but avoid it in casual talk where 'жадный' might feel more natural. Be cautious with cultural undertones, as these words can carry judgment.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'жадный' interchangeably with 'скупой' without considering context. For example, a learner might say "Он жадный с деньгами" when "скупой" is more appropriate for pure financial stinginess.

  Correct: "Он скупой с деньгами" (He is niggardly with money). Explanation: 'Жадный' implies broader greed, which could mislead in financial discussions.

• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "Скупой женщина" instead of "Скупая женщина".

  Correct: "Скупая женщина" (The niggardly woman). Explanation: Russian requires gender agreement, so always adjust the ending based on the noun.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'скупой' often reflect historical attitudes toward resource scarcity, stemming from eras of economic hardship. It can carry a moral judgment, portraying stinginess as a character flaw, unlike in some Western contexts where frugality is praised. This adds depth to its use in literature, such as in Dostoevsky's works, where miserly characters symbolize deeper societal issues.

Related Concepts:

• щедрость (generosity)
• богатство (wealth)
• экономия (economy or saving)