Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'repugnance'

English Word: repugnance

Key Russian Translations:

• отвращение /ɐt.vrɐˈʂɛ.nʲjə/ - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literary, psychological, or formal discussions, but not in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract emotions and noun declensions, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of basic Russian grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

отвращение: /ɐt.vrɐˈʂɛ.nʲjə/

Note on отвращение: The "щ" sound (/ʂ/) is a soft, hissing fricative similar to the "sh" in "she" but with a more palatalized quality. Stress falls on the third syllable, which can be tricky for beginners. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter vowel lengths.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A strong feeling of disgust or aversion towards something.

Translation(s) & Context:

• отвращение - Used in formal or psychological contexts to describe intense emotional repulsion, such as towards an idea, object, or behavior.

Usage Examples:

• Его охватило отвращение к несправедливости. (Yego okhvatilo otvrashcheniye k nespravedlivosti.)

  His repugnance towards injustice overwhelmed him. (This example shows the noun in a nominative case, expressing a personal emotional response in a narrative context.)

• Она почувствовала отвращение при виде грязи. (Ona pochuvstvovala otvrashcheniye pri vide gryazi.)

  She felt repugnance at the sight of the dirt. (Here, it demonstrates the word in a genitive context, linked to a visual trigger.)

• Отвращение к еде может быть симптомом болезни. (Otvrashcheniye k yede mozhet byt' simptomom bolezni.)

  Repugnance towards food can be a symptom of illness. (This illustrates usage in a medical or explanatory context, with the noun in the dative case.)

• В его глазах читалось отвращение. (V yego glazakh chitayos otvrashcheniye.)

  Repugnance was evident in his eyes. (This example varies the structure, using the noun in a prepositional phrase for descriptive purposes.)

• Отвращение к насилию стало причиной его отказа. (Otvrashcheniye k nasiliyu stalo prichinoy yego otkaza.)

  His repugnance towards violence was the reason for his refusal. (Shows the word in a more abstract, ethical context, emphasizing cause and effect.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Отвращение" is a neuter noun in the third declension, which follows regular patterns for most Russian nouns. It does not have irregularities but changes based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The plural form is less commonly used, as "repugnance" is often singular in context, but it can apply to multiple instances of disgust.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • омерзение (omerenie) - Similar but often implies a more physical disgust; used interchangeably in emotional contexts.
  • неприязнь (nepriyazn') - Milder, focusing on dislike rather than intense repugnance; suitable for less formal settings.
• Antonyms:
  • привлечение (privlechenie) - Attraction or appeal, directly opposite in emotional valence.
  • любовь (lyubov') - Love, contrasting with any form of aversion.

Related Phrases:

• Чувство отвращения (Chuvstvo otvrashcheniya) - Feeling of repugnance; used to describe an emotional state in psychological discussions.
• Вызывать отвращение (Vyzvyvat' otvrashcheniye) - To cause repugnance; common in contexts involving reactions to stimuli.
• Глубокое отвращение (Glubokoye otvrashcheniye) - Profound repugnance; emphasizes intensity in literary or formal language.

Usage Notes:

"Отвращение" directly corresponds to "repugnance" in English, particularly in formal or literary contexts, but it may feel more intense or psychological in Russian usage. It is typically a neuter noun and should be declined according to case (as shown in the inflections table). Be cautious with context: in everyday speech, Russians might prefer milder terms like "неприязнь" for casual conversations. When choosing between translations, use "отвращение" for strong, formal expressions of disgust, such as in ethics or medicine. Avoid using it in positive or neutral scenarios, as it carries a negative connotation.

Common Errors:

• Confusing it with "отвратительный" (atrocious or repulsive as an adjective): Learners often misuse "отвращение" as an adjective. Incorrect: "Это отвращение фильм" (meaning "This is a repugnant film"). Correct: "Это отвратительный фильм" (This is a repulsive film). Explanation: "Отвращение" is a noun, so it must be used in nominal contexts, not attributively.

• Forgetting declension: English speakers might use it only in nominative form. Incorrect: "Я чувствую отвращение к [object]" without proper case (e.g., genitive for "к"). Correct: "Я чувствую отвращение к объекту" with object in genitive. Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which can lead to grammatical errors if overlooked.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions of "repugnance" like "отвращение" often appear in literature and philosophy, influenced by thinkers like Dostoevsky, who explored moral disgust in works such as "Crime and Punishment." This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on introspection and ethical dilemmas, where repugnance is not just a personal feeling but a societal or moral indicator.

Related Concepts:

• омерзение (disgust in a more visceral sense)
• неприязнь (dislike or aversion)
• отвращение к чему-либо (repugnance towards something, as a phrase)