Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'recalcitrant'

English Word: recalcitrant

Key Russian Translations:

• упрямый [ʊˈprʲamɨj] - [Formal]
• непослушный [nʲɪpɐˈsluʂnɨj] - [Informal]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in everyday Russian literature and conversations, but not as commonly as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level, as it involves understanding nuanced adjectives and their inflections; learners at this stage can handle complex sentences but may need practice with formal contexts.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

упрямый: [ʊˈprʲamɨj]

Note on упрямый: The stress is on the second syllable. The 'ы' sound is a distinct Russian vowel, similar to a short 'i' in "bit," which can be tricky for English speakers. Pay attention to the palatalized 'р' sound.

непослушный: [nʲɪpɐˈsluʂnɨj]

Note on непослушный: Stress falls on the third syllable. The 'щ' sound is a soft, hissing 'sh' combined with 'ch,' which is unique to Russian and often mispronounced by beginners. Audio: [Here, an audio player or link to a pronunciation file would be placed, e.g., ]

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Stubborn or uncooperative, often describing a person or behavior that resists authority or change.

Translation(s) & Context:

• упрямый - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe persistent resistance, such as in professional or educational settings.
• непослушный - Applied in informal, everyday situations, like with children or casual conversations, emphasizing disobedience.

Usage Examples:

• Он был упрямым ребенком и не слушал советы родителей. (He was a recalcitrant child and didn't listen to his parents' advice.)

  English: He was a recalcitrant child and didn't listen to his parents' advice.

• Эта упрямая лошадь отказывается идти по заданному пути. (This recalcitrant horse refuses to follow the designated path.)

  English: This recalcitrant horse refuses to follow the designated path. (Shows usage in describing animals or objects.)

• Непослушный сотрудник игнорировал указания начальника. (The recalcitrant employee ignored the boss's instructions.)

  English: The recalcitrant employee ignored the boss's instructions. (Illustrates informal workplace context.)

• Упрямый политик настаивал на своем мнении, несмотря на оппозицию. (The recalcitrant politician insisted on his opinion despite opposition.)

  English: The recalcitrant politician insisted on his opinion despite opposition. (Demonstrates formal, political usage.)

• Дети иногда бывают непослушными, но это часть их роста. (Children can sometimes be recalcitrant, but it's part of their growth.)

  English: Children can sometimes be recalcitrant, but it's part of their growth. (Highlights developmental contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "упрямый" and "непослушный" are adjectives in Russian, which inflect for gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard adjectival declension patterns, which are regular for these words.

These adjectives do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners once the basic patterns are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • строптивый (stroptivyy) - Similar to "упрямый," but often implies more defiance in challenging situations.
  • взбунтованный (vzbuntovannyy) - Conveys rebellion, used when recalcitrance involves active resistance.
• Antonyms:
  • послушный (poslushnyy)
  • уступчивый (ustupchivyy)

Related Phrases:

• Упрямый как осел - Literally: Stubborn as a mule; used to describe someone extremely recalcitrant in everyday idioms.
• Непослушный ребенок - Literally: Recalcitrant child; a common phrase in parenting contexts to refer to disobedient behavior.
• Упрямиться в своем решении - Literally: To be recalcitrant in one's decision; implies stubbornly sticking to a choice, often in negotiations.

Usage Notes:

"Упрямый" is the more precise translation for "recalcitrant" in formal contexts, such as legal or academic writing, while "непослушный" suits informal or child-related scenarios. Always ensure the adjective agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies, as Russian grammar requires this for sentence accuracy. For English speakers, note that Russian doesn't have direct equivalents for every nuance, so choose based on context—e.g., use "упрямый" for intellectual stubbornness and "непослушный" for behavioral defiance. In spoken Russian, these words can carry a slightly negative connotation, so be mindful of tone in conversations.

Common Errors:

• Error: Failing to inflect the adjective correctly, e.g., saying "упрямый женщина" instead of "упрямая женщина" (for feminine noun).

  Correct: упрямая женщина (The recalcitrant woman). Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender; this mistake often stems from English's lack of gender agreement.

• Error: Using "упрямый" in informal contexts where "непослушный" is more appropriate, e.g., "Мой непослушный друг" vs. incorrectly saying "Мой упрямый друг" for a playful disobedience.

  Correct: Choose based on formality; "непослушный" fits casual settings. Explanation: Misapplying formality can make speech sound overly serious or mismatched.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "упрямый" often reflect a valued trait of resilience and individualism, stemming from historical contexts like resistance during wars or revolutions. However, in modern usage, it can also carry a negative undertone in educational or familial settings, emphasizing the importance of conformity in society.

Related Concepts:

• взбунтоваться
• строптивость
• послушание