Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'obedient'

English Word: obedient

Key Russian Translations:

• послушный /pɐˈsluʂnɨj/ - [Adjective, General use, Formal and Informal]
• уступчивый /uˈstupʧʲɪvɨj/ - [Adjective, Used in contexts implying yielding or compliance, Informal]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are commonly encountered in everyday Russian, especially in educational, familial, or disciplinary contexts, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level should grasp the basic adjective forms, though inflection patterns require familiarity with Russian grammar rules.

Pronunciation (Russian):

послушный: /pɐˈsluʂnɨj/ - The stress is on the second syllable; note the soft 'ш' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

уступчивый: /uˈstupʧʲɪvɨj/ - Stress on the second syllable; pay attention to the palatalized 'ч' and the vowel reductions common in Russian.

Note on послушный: In fast speech, the 'о' in the first syllable may reduce to a schwa sound, as in /pəˈsluʂnɨj/. Variations occur in dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Complying or willing to comply with orders, rules, or requests; submissive to authority.

Translation(s) & Context:

• послушный - Used in general contexts like describing children, animals, or employees; implies obedience without resistance.
• уступчивый - Applied in situations involving negotiation or yielding, such as in interpersonal relationships; less formal than послушный.

Usage Examples:

• Послушный ребенок всегда выполняет указания родителей.

  An obedient child always follows their parents' instructions.

• Собака была очень послушной во время тренировки.

  The dog was very obedient during training.

• В офисе ценится уступчивый сотрудник, который не спорит с начальством.

  In the office, a yielding employee who doesn't argue with the boss is valued.

• Послушные ученики быстро осваивают новые правила.

  Obedient students quickly master new rules.

• Ее уступчивый характер помог избежать конфликта.

  Her compliant nature helped avoid conflict.

Secondary Meaning: Submissive or meek in behavior, often implying a lack of assertiveness.

Translation(s) & Context:

• послушный - In psychological or literary contexts, suggesting blind obedience; avoid in positive formal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Герой книги был слишком послушным, чтобы противостоять тирану.

  The hero of the book was too submissive to stand up to the tyrant.

• Уступчивый подход в переговорах иногда приводит к потере выгоды.

  A overly compliant approach in negotiations can sometimes lead to losing advantages.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. "Послушный" follows standard adjective patterns with some irregularities in certain forms. "Уступчивый" is more regular.

Note: These adjectives do not change in short form or comparative degrees without additional context, but "послушный" can form comparatives like "послушнее" (more obedient).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • угодливый (ugodlivyy) - More pejorative, implying excessive eagerness to please.
  • докладчивый (dokladchivyy) - Used in military or formal contexts, emphasizing reporting obedience.
• Antonyms:
  • непослушный (neposlushnyy)
  • упрямый (upryamyy) - Stubborn or obstinate.

Related Phrases:

• послушный ребенок - A common phrase meaning "obedient child," often used in parenting discussions.
• быть уступчивым - Means "to be compliant," typically in negotiation scenarios; implies flexibility without full submission.
• послушание в семье - Refers to "obedience in the family," a phrase with cultural undertones in Russian society.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "послушный" directly corresponds to "obedient" in most contexts but carries a neutral to positive connotation, especially in educational settings. Use "уступчивый" for situations involving compromise, as it avoids implying blind submission. Be mindful of gender and case agreements when using these adjectives. For formal writing, prefer "послушный" over "уступчивый" due to its broader applicability. When choosing between translations, consider the context: "послушный" for authority-based obedience and "уступчивый" for interpersonal dynamics.

Common Errors:

• Confusing gender inflections: English learners often use the masculine form "послушный" for feminine nouns, e.g., saying "послушный женщина" instead of "послушная женщина." Correct usage: Always match the adjective to the noun's gender, number, and case.

• Overusing in negative contexts: Mistakenly applying "послушный" where it sounds pejorative, like in modern discussions of autonomy. Error example: "Он послушный, как робот" (implying robotic behavior); better: Use "уступчивый" for nuance or avoid if unintended.

• Ignoring stress patterns: Pronouncing /pɐˈsluʂnɨj/ with wrong stress, which can alter meaning. Correct: Practice with native audio to ensure proper emphasis.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "послушный" are often linked to traditional values of respect for authority, such as in family hierarchies or military discipline, stemming from historical influences like Soviet-era education. This can imply a cultural emphasis on collectivism over individualism, which might contrast with Western views of obedience as potentially limiting personal freedom.

Related Concepts:

• дисциплина (discipline)
• авторитет (authority)
• подчинение (subordination)