Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'perfidious'

English Word: perfidious

Key Russian Translations:

• коварный /kɐˈvarnɨj/ - [Adjective, Formal, Used in literary or descriptive contexts]
• вероломный /vʲɪrɐˈlomnɨj/ - [Adjective, Formal, Often implies betrayal in historical or political contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature and formal writing, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjectives and nuanced vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

коварный: /kɐˈvarnɨj/

вероломный: /vʲɪrɐˈlomnɨj/

Note on коварный: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'р' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

Note on вероломный: Pronounce the 'в' as a soft 'v' sound; this word has a rolling 'р' that might vary in speed depending on regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Treacherous or deceitful behavior, often in a calculated manner

Translation(s) & Context:

• коварный - Used in contexts involving subtle deception, such as in personal relationships or politics (e.g., describing a sly character).
• вероломный - Applied to more overt betrayals, like breaking alliances or promises (e.g., in historical narratives).

Usage Examples:

• Его коварный план разрушил все наши надежды. (His perfidious plan destroyed all our hopes.)

  Translation: His perfidious plan destroyed all our hopes.

• В истории часто встречаются вероломные предатели, которые изменяли своей стране. (History is full of perfidious traitors who betrayed their country.)

  Translation: History is full of perfidious traitors who betrayed their country.

• Коварная улыбка политика скрывала истинные намерения. (The perfidious smile of the politician hid his true intentions.)

  Translation: The perfidious smile of the politician hid his true intentions.

• Вероломное поведение друга шокировало всех присутствующих. (The perfidious behavior of the friend shocked everyone present.)

  Translation: The perfidious behavior of the friend shocked everyone present.

• В повседневной жизни коварные интриги могут разрушить даже самые крепкие связи. (In everyday life, perfidious intrigues can destroy even the strongest bonds.)

  Translation: In everyday life, perfidious intrigues can destroy even the strongest bonds.

Secondary Meaning: Unreliable or faithless in a broader sense

Translation(s) & Context:

• коварный - In metaphorical uses, such as describing unreliable weather or circumstances.

Usage Examples:

• Коварная погода в горах часто обманывает даже опытных climberов. (The perfidious weather in the mountains often deceives even experienced climbers.)

  Translation: The perfidious weather in the mountains often deceives even experienced climbers.

• Вероломные обещания политиков редко исполняются. (The perfidious promises of politicians are rarely fulfilled.)

  Translation: The perfidious promises of politicians are rarely fulfilled.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "коварный" and "вероломный" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect according to gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a regular pattern, but they must agree with the nouns they modify.

These adjectives are regular and do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward once the basic adjective declension rules are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • хитрый (cunning) - More neutral, often without the negative connotation of betrayal.
  • изменчивый (fickle) - Emphasizes unreliability rather than deliberate deceit.
• Antonyms:
  • честный (honest)
  • верный (faithful)

Related Phrases:

• Коварный замысел - (A perfidious scheme; refers to a deceitful plan in strategic contexts.)
• Вероломное предательство - (Perfidious betrayal; used in discussions of loyalty and treason.)
• Коварная интрига - (Pernicious intrigue; common in literary or dramatic settings to describe plots.)

Usage Notes:

"Perfidious" translates most accurately to "коварный" in everyday deceptive scenarios and "вероломный" in contexts of formal betrayal. Use "коварный" for subtle, manipulative behaviors, as it carries a sense of cleverness, while "вероломный" is better for explicit violations of trust. Both are formal and rarely used in casual speech; opt for simpler synonyms in informal settings. Grammatically, ensure adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, as per standard Russian rules.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "коварный" interchangeably with "вероломный" without considering context. Correct: Choose based on subtlety—e.g., "Его коварный план" vs. "Его вероломное предательство". Explanation: This can lead to imprecise meaning; "коварный" implies clever deception, while "вероломный" suggests outright treachery.
• Mistake: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "коварный женщина" instead of "коварная женщина". Correct: Always decline the adjective to match the noun's gender and case. Explanation: Russian requires strict agreement, which English learners often overlook, resulting in grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "коварный" and "вероломный" often appear in literature and historical contexts, such as in works by Pushkin or Tolstoy, where they describe complex characters in power struggles. These terms reflect a cultural emphasis on loyalty and the consequences of betrayal, rooted in Russia's history of political intrigue and revolutions.

Related Concepts:

• предательство (betrayal)
• интрига (intrigue)
• хитрость (cunning)