Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pusillanimous'

English Word: pusillanimous

Key Russian Translations:

• трусливый [trʊˈslʲɪvɨj] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday speech]
• робкий [ˈrobkʲɪj] - [Formal, suitable for written or professional contexts]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not frequently used in daily Russian conversation but may appear in literature or discussions about character traits.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian adjectives and their inflections, though the core vocabulary is accessible to learners beyond beginner level.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

трусливый: [trʊˈslʲɪvɨj]

Note on трусливый: The stress falls on the third syllable ("slʲɪ"), and the "slʲ" sound is a palatalized 'l', which can be challenging for English speakers. Practice with native audio for accuracy.

робкий: [ˈrobkʲɪj]

Note on робкий: The initial "ro" is pronounced with a rolled 'r', and the "kʲ" is a palatalized 'k', common in Russian adjectives. This word has a softer, more subtle connotation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Lacking courage or determination (primary meaning of 'pusillanimous')

Translation(s) & Context:

• трусливый - Used in informal contexts to describe someone who avoids risks due to fear, such as in personal anecdotes or casual criticism.
• робкий - Applied in formal settings, like literature or psychological discussions, to denote timidity without harsh judgment.

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда трусливый в критических ситуациях, предпочитая отступить вместо того, чтобы бороться.

  He is always pusillanimous in critical situations, preferring to retreat rather than fight.

• Её робкий характер не позволил ей высказать своё мнение на собрании.

  Her pusillanimous nature did not allow her to voice her opinion at the meeting.

• Трусливый политик избегал сложных решений, что привело к потере доверия избирателей.

  The pusillanimous politician avoided tough decisions, leading to a loss of voter trust.

• Робкий подход к переговорам часто воспринимается как слабость в бизнес-среде.

  A pusillanimous approach to negotiations is often seen as a weakness in the business world.

• В детстве он был трусливым, но со временем научился преодолевать свои страхи.

  In childhood, he was pusillanimous, but over time, he learned to overcome his fears.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "трусливый" and "робкий" are Russian adjectives, which typically inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard adjectival declension patterns, which can be regular or irregular depending on the word.

For "трусливый" (regular short-form adjective):

For "робкий" (also regular):

These adjectives do not have irregular forms, but always ensure agreement with the noun in gender, number, and case for grammatical correctness.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: робкий (similar but softer connotation), трусоватый (somewhat cowardly, less intense), пугливый (easily frightened)
• пугливый is often used for animals or children, making it context-specific.
• Antonyms: смелый (brave), отважный (courageous), решительный (determined)

Related Phrases:

• трусливый человек - A pusillanimous person; refers to someone who consistently shows cowardice in daily life.
• робкий в решениях - Pusillanimous in decisions; used to describe hesitation in making choices, often in professional contexts.
• трусливый поступок - A cowardly act; a common phrase in moral or ethical discussions.

Usage Notes:

"Трусливый" directly corresponds to the informal, everyday sense of 'pusillanimous', while "робкий" is better for more nuanced or formal situations. In Russian, these adjectives must agree with the noun they modify, so pay attention to gender and case—e.g., use "трусливая" for feminine nouns. Avoid overusing these in positive contexts, as they carry negative connotations. When choosing between translations, opt for "трусливый" in spoken language and "робкий" in writing to match the appropriate register.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "трусливый" in formal writing without proper inflection, e.g., saying "трусливый женщина" instead of "трусливая женщина".
  Correct: Ensure gender agreement; explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender, so this mistake can make the sentence grammatically incorrect.
• Error: Confusing "робкий" with "трусливый" and using them interchangeably, e.g., "Он робкий в бою" when a harsher tone is needed.
  Correct: Use "трусливый" for stronger criticism; explanation: "Робкий" implies shyness rather than outright cowardice, so it may soften the intended meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "трусливый" often appear in literature and folklore to criticize characters who lack resolve, reflecting values of bravery and resilience from historical contexts like wartime stories. For instance, in Russian proverbs, cowardice is frequently contrasted with heroism, emphasizing societal expectations of courage.

Related Concepts:

• смелый
• отважный
• пугливый