Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'rancour'

English Word: rancour

Key Russian Translations:

• злоба [ˈzɫəbə] - [Formal, Literary]
• недоброжелательство [nʲɪdəbrəʐɨˈlʲætʲstvə] - [Formal, Everyday]

Frequency: Medium (The word is encountered in literary and formal contexts but not in casual everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 level; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and formal vocabulary.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

злоба: [ˈzɫəbə]

недоброжелательство: [nʲɪdəbrəʐɨˈlʲætʲstvə]

Note on злоба: The initial 'з' is a voiced alveolar fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds similar to 'z' in "zoo" but with a softer, more dental quality. Variations in stress may occur in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Deep-seated resentment or spite towards someone.

Translation(s) & Context:

• злоба - Used in formal, literary, or emotional contexts to describe intense, lingering ill will, often in interpersonal relationships.
• недоброжелательство - Applied in more general or social settings to indicate hostility or unfriendliness, such as in professional environments.

Usage Examples:

• В его глазах горела злоба после предательства друга.

  In his eyes burned rancour after his friend's betrayal.

• Злоба, накопленная годами, наконец вылилась в открытый конфликт.

  The rancour built up over years finally erupted into an open conflict.

• Её злоба по отношению к бывшему коллеге была очевидна во всех её словах.

  Her rancour towards her former colleague was evident in every word she said.

• Недоброжелательство в его тоне скрывалось под маской вежливости.

  The rancour in his tone was hidden behind a mask of politeness.

• Злоба общества по отношению к аутсайдерам часто приводит к социальным проблемам.

  Society's rancour towards outsiders often leads to social issues.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

злоба is a feminine noun (3rd declension in Russian), which means it undergoes regular declension based on case and number. недоброжелательство is also a neuter noun with standard declension patterns.

For злоба:

For недоброжелательство (as a neuter noun, it follows similar patterns but is less commonly inflected in plural forms):

These nouns do not have irregular forms, but always pay attention to the ending based on the grammatical case in a sentence.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • гнев (anger; more intense and immediate than злоба)
  • обида (resentment; often personal and emotional, but less deep-seated)
• Antonyms:
  • доброта (kindness; implies benevolence and warmth)
  • терпимость (tolerance; suggests acceptance rather than hostility)

Related Phrases:

• чувствовать злобу - Feel rancour; used to describe internal emotional states in personal narratives.
• злоба сердца - Rancour of the heart; a poetic phrase indicating deep-seated bitterness.
• недоброжелательство по отношению к кому-либо - Rancour towards someone; common in discussions of social dynamics.

Usage Notes:

злоба and недоброжелательство both translate to 'rancour' but differ in nuance: злоба is more intense and often literary, while недоброжелательство is broader and suitable for everyday formal contexts. Choose злоба for emotional or psychological descriptions, as in literature or therapy discussions. Be mindful of Russian's case system; for example, use the genitive case (злобы) after prepositions like 'из' (from). These words are typically neutral in register but lean formal, so avoid in casual speech. When comparing to English 'rancour', note that Russian equivalents may carry a slightly more visceral connotation in cultural contexts.

Common Errors:

• Confusing злоба with гнев: Learners might use злоба interchangeably with гнев (anger), but гнев is more temporary. Error: "Он чувствует гнев годами" (incorrect for long-term rancour). Correct: "Он чувствует злобу годами" – Explanation: гнев implies short bursts, while злоба denotes enduring resentment.

• Incorrect declension: Forgetting to change the ending in sentences, e.g., saying "Я видел злоба" instead of "Я видел злобу" (accusative case). Correct usage: Always decline based on the sentence role to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

злоба often appears in Russian literature, such as in the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky, where it reflects themes of human suffering and moral conflict. In Russian culture, expressions of rancour can be tied to historical contexts like the Soviet era, symbolizing suppressed grievances that surface in personal or societal interactions, highlighting the depth of emotional expression in Slavic traditions.

Related Concepts:

• зависть (envy)
• вражда (hostility)
• ненависть (hatred)