Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'possessed'

English Word: possessed

Key Russian Translations:

• одержимый /ɐˈdʐrʲɪmɨj/ - [Formal, often used in supernatural or psychological contexts]
• обладающий /ɐbləˈdaʊʂɨj/ - [Formal, typically for ownership or control in non-supernatural settings]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, psychology, and everyday discussions about control or obsession, but not as frequent in casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections and contextual nuances. For 'одержимый', it's B1; for 'обладающий', it's A2 if basic possession is discussed.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

одержимый: /ɐˈdʐrʲɪmɨj/

Note on одержимый: The stress falls on the second syllable ('dʐrʲ'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the retroflex 'r' sound. Pronounce it with a soft 'r' similar to the French 'r'.

обладающий: /ɐbləˈdaʊʂɨj/

Note on обладающий: The 'ш' sound (as in 'sh') in the final syllable may vary slightly in rapid speech; ensure emphasis on the third syllable for natural flow.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Controlled or influenced by an evil spirit or obsession (e.g., supernatural possession)

Translation(s) & Context:

• одержимый - Used in contexts involving mental or spiritual possession, such as in horror stories or psychological discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Он был одержимым злым духом, и его глаза горели безумием.

  He was possessed by an evil spirit, and his eyes burned with madness.

• В фильме главная героиня становится одержимой древним проклятием.

  In the movie, the main heroine becomes possessed by an ancient curse.

• Девушка чувствовала себя одержимой страхом, который не давал ей спать.

  The girl felt possessed by fear that wouldn't let her sleep.

• Одержимый демоном, он бродил по улицам, не контролируя свои действия.

  Possessed by a demon, he wandered the streets, not controlling his actions.

• В русской литературе часто описывают персонажей, одержимых невидимыми силами.

  In Russian literature, characters are often described as possessed by invisible forces.

Meaning 2: Having or owning something (e.g., possessed of great wealth)

Translation(s) & Context:

• обладающий - Applied in formal or descriptive contexts for possession of qualities, objects, or attributes, often in written or professional language.

Usage Examples:

• Этот человек обладал огромным богатством, но оставался скромным.

  This man was possessed of great wealth but remained humble.

• Обладающая талантом, она быстро поднялась по карьерной лестнице.

  Possessed of talent, she quickly climbed the career ladder.

• Компания обладала монополией на рынке, что вызывало споры.

  The company was possessed of a monopoly in the market, which sparked controversy.

• Обладающий силой воли, он преодолел все препятствия.

  Possessed of willpower, he overcame all obstacles.

• В исторических текстах короли часто описываются как обладающие абсолютной властью.

  In historical texts, kings are often described as possessed of absolute power.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'одержимый' and 'обладающий' are adjectives in Russian, which inflect for gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow regular patterns but can have irregularities based on the root.

For 'одержимый' (irregular due to its root):

For 'обладающий' (more regular):

Note: These adjectives do not change for verbs but must agree with the noun they modify.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • одержимый: зачарованный (enchanted, with a magical connotation)
  • обладающий: имеющий (having, more neutral)
• Antonyms:
  • одержимый: свободный (free, from possession)
  • обладающий: лишенный (deprived, lacking)

Related Phrases:

• Одержимый идеей - Possessed by an idea (Refers to being obsessed with a concept, common in motivational contexts).
• Обладающий властью - Possessed of power (Used in political or leadership discussions to denote authority).
• Дух одержимости - Spirit of possession (A phrase in folklore or psychology for supernatural influence).

Usage Notes:

'Одержимый' is the preferred translation for supernatural or emotional possession, aligning closely with English 'possessed' in contexts like horror or psychology, but it's formal and less common in everyday speech. Use 'обладающий' for material or abstract possession, similar to 'possessed of' in English, and ensure it agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun. In Russian, these words often require context to avoid ambiguity—e.g., specify if it's spiritual or ownership-based. Beginners should practice with simple sentences before tackling inflections.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'одержимый' for simple ownership, e.g., saying "Я одержимый домом" instead of "Я обладающий домом" (I am possessed of a house).
  Correct: "Я обладаю домом" (I possess a house). Explanation: 'Одержимый' implies obsession or supernatural control, not literal ownership.
• Mistake: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., "Она одержимый" (incorrect feminine form).
  Correct: "Она одержимая". Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender, so always check for case and number.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'одержимый' often evokes themes from folklore, such as in stories by Pushkin or Gogol, where possession by spirits reflects historical beliefs in demons and Slavic mythology. This can add a layer of dramatic intensity in literature, differing from Western portrayals, and is sometimes used metaphorically in modern discussions of addiction or fanaticism.

Related Concepts:

• зачарованный (enchanted)
• одержимость (obsession)
• власть (power)