Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'rebellious'

English Word: rebellious

Key Russian Translations:

• Мятежный [ˈmʲæ.tʲɪ.ʐnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• Бунтарский [bunˈtars.kʲij] - [Informal, Adjective, Often used in cultural or youth contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, discussions on politics, and youth culture, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjectives and their inflections, as well as contextual nuances)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Мятежный: [ˈmʲæ.tʲɪ.ʐnɨj]

Бунтарский: [bunˈtars.kʲij]

Note on Мятежный: The 'ж' sound is a soft palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like the 's' in 'measure'. Variations in stress may occur in poetic contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Tending to resist or defy authority, rules, or traditions.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Мятежный - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe rebellion against established systems, such as in historical or political discussions.
• Бунтарский - Applied in informal settings, like describing youth culture or personal defiance, often with a positive or romantic connotation.

Usage Examples:

• Мятежный подросток отказался подчиняться школьным правилам, что привело к серьёзным последствиям.

  The rebellious teenager refused to obey the school rules, which led to serious consequences.

• В её глазах горел бунтарский огонь, когда она говорила о несправедливости в обществе.

  In her eyes burned a rebellious fire as she spoke about injustice in society.

• Мятежные идеи революционеров вдохновили народ на борьбу за свободу.

  The rebellious ideas of the revolutionaries inspired the people to fight for freedom.

• Бунтарский дух молодёжи проявляется в уличных протестах и творческих проявлениях.

  The rebellious spirit of the youth is evident in street protests and creative expressions.

• Он жил мятежной жизнью, постоянно бросая вызов нормам и ожиданиям окружающих.

  He lived a rebellious life, constantly challenging the norms and expectations of those around him.

Secondary Meaning: Characterized by unrest or upheaval, often in a broader sense.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Мятежный - In historical or metaphorical contexts, to describe periods of instability or uprising.

Usage Examples:

• Мятежные времена Великой Французской революции изменили ход истории.

  The rebellious times of the Great French Revolution changed the course of history.

• Бунтарский настрой в обществе часто предшествует значительным переменам.

  The rebellious attitude in society often precedes significant changes.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Мятежный" and "Бунтарский" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for most cases, but they can be irregular in certain contexts. Below is a table outlining the inflections for "Мятежный" (as it is more common); "Бунтарский" follows similar rules.

For "Бунтарский", the inflections are regular: e.g., Nominative: Бунтарский (M), Бунтарская (F), Бунтарское (N), Бунтарские (Pl). These adjectives do not have irregular forms but must agree with the noun they modify.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Бунтарский (similar to the original, but with a more youthful tone)
  • Революционный (revolutionary, often implying organized change)
  • Восставший (risen up, more literal for uprisings)
• Antonyms:
  • Послушный (obedient)
  • Консервативный (conservative)

Related Phrases:

• Мятежный дух - A rebellious spirit; often used to describe a defiant personality or movement.
• Бунтарский настрой - Rebellious attitude; refers to a mindset of resistance in social contexts.
• Мятежное поведение - Rebellious behavior; commonly applied to describe disruptive actions.

Usage Notes:

• "Мятежный" is a more formal equivalent to "rebellious" and is often used in written Russian, such as in literature or historical texts, while "Бунтарский" is preferred in spoken language or modern contexts to convey a sense of idealism or youth rebellion.
• Always ensure the adjective agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies, as per standard Russian grammar.
• In cultural discussions, "Бунтарский" may carry a positive connotation, similar to how "rebellious" can be heroic in English, whereas "Мятежный" is more neutral or negative.
• When choosing between translations, opt for "Мятежный" in formal writing and "Бунтарский" in informal or creative contexts for a more natural fit.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Мятежный" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "Мятежный женщина" instead of "Мятежная женщина".
  Correct: Ensure agreement, as in "Мятежная женщина" (rebellious woman).
  Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender; this is a common mistake for English speakers who treat adjectives as invariable.
• Error: Confusing "Бунтарский" with "Бунт" (riot) and using it inappropriately in non-rebellious contexts.
  Correct: Use "Бунтарский" only for personal traits, not for events; for example, say "Бунтарский характер" (rebellious character) instead of forcing it into unrelated phrases.
  Explanation: "Бунт" is a noun for uprising, so mixing it up can alter the meaning entirely.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "Мятежный" and "Бунтарский" often evoke historical events such as the Russian Revolution or literary figures like the protagonists in Dostoevsky's works, who embody defiance against societal norms. These terms can carry a romanticized view of rebellion, reflecting Russia's history of uprisings and intellectual dissent.

Related Concepts:

• Революция (revolution)
• Протест (protest)
• Восстание (uprising)