Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'nightmare'

English Word: nightmare

Key Russian Translations:

• Кошмар [ˈkoʂ.mər] - [Informal, Common in everyday speech]

Frequency: Medium (This word is frequently encountered in literature, conversations about dreams, and media, but not in daily casual talk.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; learners at this level should grasp basic nouns and contexts, though the pronunciation of the 'ш' sound may pose a challenge for beginners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Кошмар: [ˈkoʂ.mər]

Note on Кошмар: The 'ш' sound is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, similar to the 'sh' in English "shoe," but ensure proper emphasis on the first syllable. Variations in regional accents may soften the 'р' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A frightening dream or a terrifying experience

Translation(s) & Context:

• Кошмар - Used in informal contexts to describe a bad dream or a metaphorical nightmare, such as a difficult situation (e.g., in storytelling or personal anecdotes).

Usage Examples:

• Я видел кошмар, где я падал в бездну.

  I had a nightmare where I was falling into an abyss.

• Её кошмар повторяется каждую ночь из-за стресса.

  Her nightmare recurs every night due to stress.

• Этот фильм — настоящий кошмар для слабонервных.

  This film is a real nightmare for the faint-hearted.

• Кошмар закончился, когда я проснулся в холодном поту.

  The nightmare ended when I woke up in a cold sweat.

• В детстве мои кошмары всегда включали монстров под кроватью.

  In childhood, my nightmares always involved monsters under the bed.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Кошмар is a masculine noun (second declension in Russian). It follows standard noun inflection patterns for gender, number, and case. Below is a table outlining its basic declensions:

Note: The word is regular and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners to inflect.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Ужас (uzhas) - More general for horror; used in intense emotional contexts.
  • Страшный сон (strashnyy son) - Literally "scary dream"; implies a similar but less vivid nightmare.
• Antonyms:
  • Сладкий сон (sladkiy son) - Sweet dream; used for pleasant dreams.
  • Мирный сон (mirnyy son) - Peaceful dream; contrasts with the disturbing nature of a nightmare.

Related Phrases:

• Кошмар наяву (koshmar nayavu) - A nightmare in reality; refers to a real-life terrifying experience.
• Видеть кошмар (videt' koshmar) - To have a nightmare; a common phrase in personal narratives.
• Кошмарный сценарий (koshmarnyy scenario) - Nightmare scenario; used in planning or discussions about worst-case situations, with a connotation of exaggeration in informal speech.

Usage Notes:

Кошмар directly corresponds to the English "nightmare" as a noun, but it's often used metaphorically in Russian for any distressing situation, similar to English usage. Be mindful of context: in formal writing, opt for more precise terms like "ужасный сон" to avoid sounding too casual. When choosing between translations, use Кошмар for everyday conversations, but consider regional variations—it's widely understood across Russian-speaking areas. Grammatically, as a masculine noun, it requires appropriate adjective agreements (e.g., "страшный кошмар" for "terrible nightmare").

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing Кошмар with Ужас and using them interchangeably without context. For example, a learner might say "Это ужас" when meaning "This is a nightmare," but Ужас implies a broader horror.

  Correct Usage: Use Кошмар for dream-related contexts, e.g., "Это был кошмар" (This was a nightmare) instead of "Это был ужас" (This was horror). Explanation: Ужас is more about intense fear, while Кошмар specifically evokes dreams or prolonged distress.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, such as using the nominative form in all cases, e.g., saying "Я боюсь кошмар" instead of "Я боюсь кошмара" in genitive contexts.

  Correct Usage: Always inflect based on case, e.g., "Я боюсь кошмара" (I am afraid of the nightmare). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, nightmares (кошмары) are often linked to folklore and literature, such as in stories by Pushkin or modern horror tales. They may symbolize deeper psychological or supernatural elements, reflecting historical beliefs in spirits or "domovoi" (house spirits) that could cause bad dreams. This adds a layer of cultural depth, making Кошмар not just a word for a bad dream but a potential nod to mystical experiences in everyday language.

Related Concepts:

• Сон (son) - Dream
• Ужас (uzhas) - Horror
• Страх (strakh) - Fear