Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'obsequious'

English Word: obsequious

Key Russian Translations:

• льстивый [ˈlʲstʲivɨj] - [Formal; used to describe excessive flattery or obsequious behavior in professional or social contexts]
• подобострастный [pədəbɐˈstrastnɨj] - [Formal; often implies a more subservient or sycophantic tone, typically in hierarchical settings]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are not everyday vocabulary but appear in literature, formal discussions, and critiques of social behavior.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of nuanced adjectives and emotional connotations, with 'льстивый' being slightly easier than 'подобострастный', which may demand advanced vocabulary knowledge.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

льстивый: [ˈlʲstʲivɨj]

подобострастный: [pədəbɐˈstrastnɨj]

Note on льстивый: The initial 'л' is palatalized, which can be tricky for English speakers; it sounds like a soft 'l' as in 'million'. Pronounce with emphasis on the first syllable.

Note on подобострастный: This is a longer word with stress on the third syllable; practice breaking it into parts for better fluency.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Main meaning: Excessively obedient, attentive, or flattering in a way that is insincere or overly deferential.

Translation(s) & Context:

• льстивый - Used in contexts involving social interactions, such as workplace flattery or insincere compliments, often in formal or literary settings.
• подобострастный - Applied in situations of power imbalance, like dealing with authority figures, emphasizing subservience.

Usage Examples:

• Он был слишком льстивым с боссом, постоянно хваля его идеи, чтобы получить повышение.

  He was too obsequious with the boss, constantly praising his ideas to get a promotion.

• Её подобострастные манеры в обществе элиты вызывали раздражение у друзей.

  Her obsequious manners among the elite society annoyed her friends.

• В романе герой изображен как льстивый подхалим, который добивается успеха ценой своей чести.

  In the novel, the hero is depicted as an obsequious sycophant who achieves success at the cost of his honor.

• Подобострастный тон письма сделал его менее убедительным, чем искренний подход.

  The obsequious tone of the letter made it less convincing than a sincere approach.

• Льстивые комплименты от коллеги показались фальшивыми и неискренними.

  The obsequious compliments from the colleague seemed fake and insincere.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'льстивый' and 'подобострастный' are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives typically agree with the nouns they modify. 'Льстивый' follows regular adjective patterns, while 'подобострастный' is also regular but less common.

Note: These adjectives do not change in short form or have irregular inflections, making them straightforward for learners once basic patterns are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • угодливый (ugodlivyy) - More neutral, implies pleasing others without strong negative connotation.
  • подхалимский (podkhalimskiy) - Informal, emphasizes sycophantic behavior with a pejorative tone.
• Antonyms:
  • гордый (gordyy) - Implies pride and independence.
  • искренний (iskrenniy) - Means sincere, contrasting with insincere flattery.

Related Phrases:

• льстивая улыбка - A flattering smile; used to describe insincere charm in social interactions.
• подобострастное поведение - Obsequious behavior; refers to overly submissive actions in professional or formal settings.
• быть льстивым подхалимом - To be an obsequious sycophant; a common expression in literature for hypocritical flattery.

Usage Notes:

'Обsequious' translates most directly to 'льстивый' in everyday contexts, but 'подобострастный' is preferred for more intense subservience. Both are formal and rarely used in casual speech; opt for 'льстивый' when describing emotional flattery and 'подобострастный' in power dynamics. Remember that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key grammatical difference from English. For learners, start with 'льстивый' as it's more versatile and less wordy.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'льстивый' with 'угодливый': Learners might use 'угодливый' (which is milder) instead of 'льстивый' for strong obsequiousness. Error: "Он угодливый с боссом" (implies neutral pleasing). Correct: "Он льстивый с боссом" (emphasizes insincere flattery). Explanation: 'Угодливый' lacks the negative undertone, so choose based on context to avoid diluting the meaning.

• Forgetting adjective agreement: A common mistake is not changing the form, e.g., saying "льстивый женщина" instead of "льстивая женщина". Error: "Её льстивый манеры" (incorrect). Correct: "Её льстивые манеры" (for plural). Explanation: Always ensure the adjective matches the noun's gender and number for grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'льстивый' often appear in literature (e.g., in works by Dostoevsky), reflecting historical critiques of social hierarchy and insincerity in tsarist Russia. This connotation can evoke themes of hypocrisy in interpersonal relationships, reminding users of the cultural emphasis on authenticity versus facade in Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• честный (chestnyy) - Honest
• искренний (iskrenniy) - Sincere
• подхалимаж (podkhalimazh) - Sycophancy