Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'nuisance'

English Word: nuisance

Key Russian Translations:

• помеха [pɐˈmʲɛxə] - [Formal, often used in legal, technical, or everyday contexts for something obstructive]
• неприятность [nʲɪprʲɪˈjatnəstʲ] - [Informal, plural forms common for multiple annoyances]
• надоедливый [nɐdɐˈʲɛdlʲɪvɨj] - [Informal, adjective form, used when describing persistent nuisances]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday Russian speech, especially in urban or professional settings, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like "дом" (house))

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of noun declensions and adjective agreements, though "помеха" is straightforward for learners at this level. For "надоедливый," difficulty may vary to B2 due to its adjectival form and potential irregularities.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

помеха: [pɐˈmʲɛxə]

Note on помеха: The stress falls on the second syllable ("mʲɛxə"), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to Russian's mobile stress patterns. Ensure the "х" is pronounced as a guttural [x] sound, similar to the "ch" in Scottish "loch."

неприятность: [nʲɪprʲɪˈjatnəstʲ]

Note on неприятность: The palatalized "тʲ" at the end can be subtle; practice with native audio to master the soft consonant.

надоедливый: [nɐdɐˈʲɛdlʲɪvɨj]

Note on надоедливый: The adjective ending "-ый" changes based on gender, number, and case, affecting pronunciation slightly in inflected forms.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Something that is annoying, troublesome, or causes inconvenience (e.g., a persistent problem or disturbance).

Translation(s) & Context:

• помеха - Used in formal contexts, such as legal disputes or technical issues, to describe an obstacle that hinders progress.
• неприятность - Informal settings, like daily conversations, to refer to minor annoyances or unpleasant situations.
• надоедливый - Adjective form for describing people or things that are persistently irritating, often in casual or emotional contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Эта помеха на дороге заставила нас опоздать на встречу. (This nuisance on the road made us late for the meeting.)

  This obstacle on the road caused us to be late for the meeting. (Demonstrates "помеха" in a real-world, formal context with a genitive phrase.)

• Такие неприятности случаются каждый день в большом городе. (Such nuisances happen every day in a big city.)

  Such unpleasantnesses occur every day in a big city. (Shows "неприятность" in plural form, highlighting everyday informal usage.)

• Его надоедливый характер раздражает всех вокруг. (His nuisance-like character irritates everyone around.)

  His persistently annoying nature bothers everyone nearby. (Illustrates "надоедливый" as an adjective modifying a noun, in a descriptive sentence.)

• Помеха в виде шума от соседей не дает мне сосредоточиться. (The nuisance in the form of noise from neighbors doesn't let me concentrate.)

  The obstacle in the form of noise from neighbors prevents me from focusing. (Example of "помеха" with a prepositional phrase for added complexity.)

• Избегайте неприятностей, проверяя погоду перед поездкой. (Avoid nuisances by checking the weather before your trip.)

  Avoid unpleasantnesses by checking the weather before your trip. (Uses "неприятность" in an imperative sentence for practical advice.)

Meaning 2: A person or thing that is a source of ongoing irritation (more personal or emotional connotation).

Translation(s) & Context:

• надоедливый - Best for describing persistent annoyances, like a bothersome person, in informal or emotional discussions.
• помеха - Less common here, but can be used metaphorically for human-related issues.

Usage Examples:

• Этот надоедливый ребенок не перестает задавать вопросы. (This nuisance of a child doesn't stop asking questions.)

  This persistently annoying child keeps asking questions. (Highlights "надоедливый" in a familial context.)

• Она считает его помехой в своей карьере. (She considers him a nuisance in her career.)

  She views him as an obstacle in her career. (Shows metaphorical use of "помеха" in professional settings.)

• Неприятности с начальством вымотали меня. (Nuisances with the boss have worn me out.)

  Problems with the boss have exhausted me. (Demonstrates "неприятность" in a workplace scenario.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "помеха" (a feminine noun, 1st declension), it follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns. Below is a table of its forms:

For "неприятность" (also feminine, 2nd declension with irregularities in plural), it inflects similarly but has more variations in plural forms. "надоедливый" is an adjective and changes based on gender, number, and case (e.g., надоедливая for feminine singular, надоедливые for plural). It is invariable in some predicative uses.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • неудобство (neudobstvo) - Similar but often implies physical discomfort; less intense than помеха.
  • препятствие (prepyatstvie) - More formal, emphasizing obstruction.
• Antonyms:
  • удобство (udobstvo) - Convenience, the opposite of discomfort.
  • помощь (pomoshch') - Help, contrasting with anything obstructive.

Related Phrases:

• создавать помеху - To create a nuisance (used in contexts like interfering with work or events).
• избегать неприятностей - To avoid nuisances (common in advice or planning scenarios).
• надоедливый тип - A nuisance type (referring to an annoying person, often in informal slang).

Usage Notes:

Choose "помеха" for more formal or objective descriptions of obstacles, as it directly mirrors the English "nuisance" in legal or technical contexts. "Неприятность" is better for everyday, emotional annoyances and can be pluralized easily. "Надоедливый" functions as an adjective, so pair it with nouns for vivid descriptions. Be mindful of Russian's case system; for example, in sentences like "из-за помехи" (because of the nuisance), the genitive case is required. English speakers often overlook gender agreements, so ensure adjectives like "надоедливый" match the noun's gender.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "помеха" with "препятствие": Learners might use "препятствие" interchangeably, but it's more about physical barriers. Incorrect: "Это препятствие в работе" (if it's not literal). Correct: "Это помеха в работе" – Explanation: "Помеха" better conveys annoyance, while "препятствие" implies a block.

• Overusing the adjective form: English speakers might say "надоедливый помеха," which is wrong due to gender mismatch. Correct: "надоедливая помеха" for feminine nouns – Explanation: Adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "помеха" often appear in contexts related to Soviet-era bureaucracy, where everyday nuisances (e.g., red tape) were common. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on resilience against minor irritations, as seen in literature like Chekhov's stories, where such terms highlight the absurdity of daily life.

Related Concepts:

• препятствие
• неудобство
• раздражение