Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'quarrel'

English Word: quarrel

Key Russian Translations:

• ссора [ˈsso.rə] - [Noun, Informal]
• спор [ˈspor] - [Noun, Formal]
• ссориться [sso.'ri.tsə] - [Verb, Informal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations, literature, and media, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun and verb conjugations, suitable for learners with some familiarity with Russian grammar, per CEFR standards).

Pronunciation (Russian):

ссора: [ˈsso.rə]

спор: [ˈspor]

ссориться: [sso.'ri.tsə]

Note on ссора: The initial "сс" is a doubled "s" sound, which can be challenging for English speakers; it's pronounced with a slight emphasis on the first "s" to avoid sounding like a single "s".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Noun: A heated argument or disagreement

Translation(s) & Context:

• ссора - Used in informal, everyday contexts to describe a personal or emotional dispute, such as between family members or friends.
• спор - Applied in more formal or intellectual settings, like debates or professional disagreements.

Usage Examples:

• Они часто ссорятся из-за мелочей. (They often quarrel over trivial things.)

  English: They often quarrel over trivial things. (This example shows the verb form in a simple present tense context.)

• После ссоры они не разговаривали несколько дней. (After the quarrel, they didn't speak for several days.)

  English: After the quarrel, they didn't speak for several days. (Illustrates the noun in a narrative context.)

• Этот спор касается политики и может затянуться. (This quarrel concerns politics and might drag on.)

  English: This quarrel concerns politics and might drag on. (Demonstrates the formal noun in a broader, societal context.)

• Сёстры ссорятся, но быстро мирятся. (The sisters quarrel but make up quickly.)

  English: The sisters quarrel but make up quickly. (Shows the verb in a familial, repetitive scenario.)

• В офисе разгорелся спор о новых правилах. (A quarrel broke out in the office about the new rules.)

  English: A quarrel broke out in the office about the new rules. (Uses the formal noun in a professional setting.)

Verb: To engage in an argument

Translation(s) & Context:

• ссориться - Informal verb for arguing, often implying emotional involvement, used in personal relationships.

Usage Examples:

• Родители часто ссорятся из-за денег. (Parents often quarrel about money.)

  English: Parents often quarrel about money. (Example in a domestic context with imperfective aspect.)

• Дети ссорятся на playground, но потом играют вместе. (Children quarrel on the playground but then play together.)

  English: Children quarrel on the playground but then play together. (Shows the verb in a childlike, transient dispute.)

• Он не хочет ссориться с коллегой по пустякам. (He doesn't want to quarrel with his colleague over trifles.)

  English: He doesn't want to quarrel with his colleague over trifles. (Illustrates avoidance in a work environment.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For ссора (feminine noun, 1st declension):

For спор (masculine noun, follows standard patterns):

For ссориться (reflexive verb, imperfective):

It conjugates irregularly in some aspects. Example in present tense:

• Я ссорюсь (I quarrel)
• Ты ссоришься (You quarrel, singular informal)
• Он/Она ссорится (He/She quarrels)

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • раздор (razdor) - More intense, implying a deep rift.
  • конфликт (konflikt) - Used for broader conflicts, often formal.
• Antonyms:
  • согласие (soglasie) - Agreement or harmony.
  • мир (mir) - Peace, especially in relational contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Вступить в спор (Vstupit' v spor) - To enter into a quarrel; used for initiating a debate.
• Ссора из-за ерунды (Ssora iz-za erundy) - A quarrel over nonsense; implies triviality.
• Разгореться спором (Razgoretsya sporom) - To flare up into a quarrel; describes escalation.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "quarrel" translations like "ссора" are more emotionally charged and informal, often used in spoken language, while "спор" is neutral and fits formal writing. Choose based on context: use "ссориться" for ongoing arguments and "ссора" for the event itself. Be mindful of Russian's aspect system; "ссориться" is imperfective, implying repetition, whereas a perfective form like "поссориться" might be needed for completed actions.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "ссора" with "спор": Learners might use "спор" in personal contexts, which sounds overly formal. Correct: Use "ссора" for emotional disputes; Error example: "У них спор в семье" (incorrectly formal); Correct: "У них ссора в семье".
• Misconjugating "ссориться": Forgetting the reflexive particle; Error: "Я ссорю" (incorrect); Correct: "Я ссорюсь". Explanation: The "-ся" ending is essential for reflexive verbs in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, quarrels like "ссора" are often seen as a natural part of close relationships, such as family or friendships, and are depicted in literature (e.g., in works by Tolstoy) as opportunities for resolution and deeper bonds, rather than permanent rifts.

Related Concepts:

• конфликт (konflikt)
• разногласие (raznoglasiie)
• ссора в семье (ssora v semie)