Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'overweening'

English Word: overweening

Key Russian Translations:

• Самоуверенный /sə.muˈvʲer.ʲɪ.nɨj/ - [Formal; used to describe excessive self-confidence]
• Надменный /nədˈmʲen.nɨj/ - [Formal; used for arrogant or haughty behavior]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation, appearing more in literary or formal contexts.)

Difficulty: Advanced (C1; Requires understanding of nuanced emotional vocabulary and cultural connotations, with variations in formality across translations.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Самоуверенный: /sə.muˈvʲer.ʲɪ.nɨj/

Note on Самоуверенный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("vʲer"), which can be challenging for English speakers due to the soft 'v' sound. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter vowel length.

Надменный: /nədˈmʲen.nɨj/

Note on Надменный: Emphasize the 'mʲen' with a soft 'n' sound; this word often carries a sharper tone in spoken Russian, reflecting its negative connotation.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Excessive pride, arrogance, or overconfidence

Translation(s) & Context:

• Самоуверенный - Used in formal or psychological contexts to describe someone who is overly self-assured, often leading to poor decisions.
• Надменный - Applied in social or interpersonal contexts to denote haughty behavior that alienates others.

Usage Examples:

• Его самоуверенный тон в переговорах привел к провалу сделки.

  His overweening tone in the negotiations led to the deal's failure.

• Она всегда была надменной, считая себя выше остальных.

  She was always overweening, considering herself superior to others.

• Самоуверенный лидер редко слушает советы команды.

  An overweening leader rarely listens to the team's advice.

• Его надменное поведение на вечеринке отпугнуло гостей.

  His overweening behavior at the party scared off the guests.

• В литературе часто изображают самоуверенных персонажей, которые терпят крах.

  In literature, overweening characters are often depicted as those who suffer downfall.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Самоуверенный" and "Надменный" are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for most cases, but these words are regular and do not have irregularities.

Note: These adjectives agree with the nouns they modify, changing endings accordingly. They do not have verbal inflections as they are not verbs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Гордый (proud; less negative connotation, often neutral)
  • Высокомерный (haughty; similar to надменный, but with a focus on social superiority)
• Antonyms:
  • Скромный (modest; implies humility and lack of arrogance)
  • Смиренный (humble; used in more formal or religious contexts)

Related Phrases:

• Самоуверенный взгляд - A self-assured glance; often used to describe an arrogant demeanor in social interactions.
• Надменный тон - An overweening tone; refers to a haughty way of speaking that conveys superiority.
• Быть самоуверенным в своих силах - To be overweening in one's abilities; a phrase warning against excessive confidence.

Usage Notes:

"Overweening" translates most directly to "самоуверенный" when emphasizing overconfidence, and to "надменный" when focusing on arrogance. Choose "самоуверенный" for contexts involving self-assessment or decision-making, as it carries a psychological nuance. "Надменный" is better for interpersonal dynamics, such as in social or professional settings. Both are formal, so avoid them in casual speech; instead, use simpler words like "гордый" for everyday conversations. Grammatically, ensure the adjective agrees with the noun in gender, number, and case, as per Russian rules.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "самоуверенный" interchangeably with "надменный" without context. For example, an English learner might say "Он самоуверенный в компании" when meaning haughty behavior, but it should be "надменный".

  Correct: "Он надменный в компании" (He is overweening in company). Explanation: "Самоуверенный" implies internal confidence, while "надменный" suggests external rudeness.

• Mistake: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "самоуверенный женщина" instead of "самоуверенная женщина".

  Correct: "Самоуверенная женщина". Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender; here, "женщина" is feminine.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "надменный" often carry a strong negative connotation, reflecting historical emphasis on collectivism and modesty in Soviet and post-Soviet society. Being "overweening" might be seen as a flaw that leads to isolation, as Russian literature (e.g., in works by Tolstoy) frequently portrays such characters as tragic figures.

Related Concepts:

• Гордость (pride)
• Высокомерие (haughtiness)
• Скромность (modesty)