Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'psycho'

English Word: psycho

Key Russian Translations:

• псих [pʲix] - [Informal; Slang; Often used in casual conversation to describe someone mentally unstable]
• психопат [psʲixəˈpat] - [Formal; Clinical; Used in psychological or medical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in informal speech and media, but not as frequent as everyday words like "friend" or "house").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of basic Russian vocabulary and slang for "псих", while "психопат" may approach B2 due to its psychological connotations and less common usage).

Pronunciation (Russian):

псих: [pʲix] (The "п" is pronounced with a soft "y" sound, like "pee-kh"; stress on the first syllable. Note that the "х" is a guttural "kh" sound, similar to the Scottish "loch".)

Note on псих: This word can vary slightly in fast speech, where the "х" might soften; beginners often confuse it with "пик" (peak).

психопат: [psʲixəˈpat] (Stress on the third syllable; the "о" is reduced to a schwa sound in casual speech.)

Note on психопат: Pay attention to the soft "п" at the beginning, which can be tricky for English speakers accustomed to harder consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A person who is mentally unstable, insane, or exhibiting psychotic behavior (informal slang in English).

Translation(s) & Context:

• псих - Used in everyday, informal contexts, such as describing someone in a heated argument or in pop culture.
• психопат - Applied in more serious or professional settings, like psychology discussions, to denote a person with psychopathic traits.

Usage Examples:

• Он ведёт себя как псих после этой новости. (He behaves like a psycho after this news.)

  Translation: He is acting like a psycho after this news. (This example shows "псих" in an informal, emotional context.)

• В фильме главный герой — настоящий психопат. (In the movie, the main character is a real psychopath.)

  Translation: In the movie, the main character is a real psychopath. (Here, "психопат" is used in a narrative or entertainment context.)

• Не зови его психом, это может обидеть. (Don't call him a psycho; it might offend him.)

  Translation: Don't call him a psycho; it might offend him. (Illustrates "псих" in a cautionary, interpersonal dialogue.)

• Психопат в этой истории манипулирует всеми вокруг. (The psychopath in this story manipulates everyone around.)

  Translation: The psychopath in this story manipulates everyone around. (Demonstrates "психопат" in a descriptive, literary context.)

• После аварии он стал как псих, но врачи сказали, что это временно. (After the accident, he became like a psycho, but doctors said it's temporary.)

  Translation: After the accident, he became like a psycho, but doctors said it's temporary. (Shows "псих" in a situational, everyday scenario.)

Meaning 2: In a broader sense, referring to someone with extreme, irrational behavior (e.g., in anger or excitement).

Translation(s) & Context:

• псих - Informal and derogatory, often in heated discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Она разозлилась и начала кричать как псих. (She got angry and started shouting like a psycho.)

  Translation: She got angry and started shouting like a psycho. (This highlights "псих" in an expressive, emotional context.)

• В толпе был один псих, который паниковал без причины. (In the crowd, there was one psycho who was panicking for no reason.)

  Translation: In the crowd, there was one psycho who was panicking for no reason. (Example of "псих" in a social setting.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "псих" and "психопат" are masculine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard masculine noun declension patterns. "Псих" is less commonly inflected in casual speech, but "психопат" adheres to full grammatical rules.

Note: "Псих" is irregular in informal use and may not always change, especially in slang, while "психопат" follows regular patterns without irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сумасшедший [suˈmasʲːɪdʲɪɪ] (crazy; more general and less clinical)
  • маньяк [mɐˈnʲak] (maniac; implies violent behavior)
• Antonyms:
  • нормальный [nɐrˈmalʲnɨj] (normal; straightforward opposite)
  • сбалансированный [sbɐlɐnˈsɪrəvɐnɨj] (balanced; used in psychological contexts)

Related Phrases:

• псих в маске (psych in a mask) - A phrase used in thrillers; meaning: Refers to a disguised or hidden unstable person.
• быть психом (to be a psycho) - Meaning: To act irrationally; often in casual warnings.
• психопатские наклонности (psychopathic tendencies) - Meaning: Inclinations toward psychopathic behavior; used in professional discussions.

Usage Notes:

"Psycho" in English is highly informal and potentially offensive, much like its Russian equivalents "псих" and "психопат". Use "псих" for everyday slang to match the casual tone of "psycho", but opt for "психопат" in formal or medical contexts to align with precise English psychological terms. Be cautious of cultural sensitivities, as these words can stigmatize mental health issues. In Russian, word choice depends on the audience: informal among friends, formal in writing. Grammatically, both nouns require agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying words.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "псих" in formal settings, e.g., saying "Он псих" in a professional report instead of "Он психопат". Correct: "Он психопат" because "псих" sounds too slangy and unprofessional. Explanation: English learners often overlook the formality level, leading to inappropriate tone.

• Error: Mispronouncing "псих" as [pɪk] (like "pick") instead of [pʲix]. Correct: Practice the soft "п" and guttural "х". Explanation: This common mistake stems from English phonetics, making the word unintelligible to native speakers.

• Error: Forgetting case changes, e.g., using "псих" in genitive as "псих" instead of "психа". Correct: "Я боюсь психа" (I fear the psycho). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers might neglect, altering sentence meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "псих" and "психопат" often appear in literature and media, such as in Dostoevsky's works or modern films, reflecting historical attitudes toward mental illness. However, with growing mental health awareness in Russia, these terms can carry stigma, similar to "psycho" in English, and are sometimes used humorously in casual speech to downplay serious issues.

Related Concepts:

• невроз (nevroz)
• шизофрения (shizofreniya)
• эмоциональный срыв (emotsional'nyy sryv)