Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'repulsive'

English Word: repulsive

Key Russian Translations:

• отвратительный [ɐtvraˈtʲitʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Formal]
• омерзительный [ɐˈmʲɛrzʲɪtʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Informal, often used for stronger disgust]
• противный [prɐˈtʲivnɨj] - [Informal, everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, media, and everyday discussions about emotions or descriptions, but not as frequent as basic adjectives).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective declensions and nuanced emotional vocabulary. For 'отвратительный', it's B2; for 'противный', it might be A2 due to its simpler usage).

Pronunciation (Russian):

отвратительный: [ɐtvraˈtʲitʲɪlʲnɨj]

омерзительный: [ɐˈmʲɛrzʲɪtʲɪlʲnɨj]

противный: [prɐˈtʲivnɨj]

Note on отвратительный: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ('tʲitʲ'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'tʲ' sound; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Causing a feeling of strong disgust, aversion, or repulsion, often in emotional or sensory contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• отвратительный - Used in formal writing or speech to describe something deeply repulsive, such as in literature or critiques (e.g., repulsive behavior in a story).
• омерзительный - Applied in informal settings for intense disgust, like physical sensations (e.g., a repulsive smell).
• противный - Common in casual conversations for mild annoyance or repulsion (e.g., a repulsive taste in food).

Usage Examples:

• Этот фильм был отвратительным из-за сцен насилия.

  This film was repulsive due to the violence scenes.

• Омерзительный запах исходил от мусорного ведра.

  A repulsive smell was coming from the trash bin.

• Его противный характер отпугивал друзей.

  His repulsive character repelled his friends.

• Отвратительный вкус этой еды заставил меня выкинуть её.

  The repulsive taste of this food made me throw it away.

• Противный звук будильника разбудил меня в отвратительном настроении.

  The repulsive sound of the alarm woke me up in a foul mood.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are adjectives, which inflect for gender, number, and case in Russian. 'Отвратительный' and its variants follow standard first-declension adjective patterns, with some irregularities in spelling for palatalization.

Note: 'Омерзительный' and 'противный' follow similar patterns. These adjectives are regular but require attention to soft endings in certain cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • омерзительный (similar to 'repulsive' but with a more visceral connotation)
  • противный (milder, often used for everyday annoyances)
  • гнусный (vile, with a moral undertone)
• Antonyms:
  • привлекательный (attractive, used for positive appeal)
  • приятный (pleasant, contrasting mild repulsion)

Related Phrases:

• Отвратительный запах - A repulsive smell; used to describe foul odors in everyday contexts.
• Омерзительная еда - Repulsive food; common in discussions about bad cuisine.
• Противный человек - A repulsive person; implies someone with annoying traits.
• Отвратительное поведение - Repulsive behavior; often in ethical or social critiques.

Usage Notes:

'Repulsive' corresponds most closely to 'отвратительный' in formal English-Russian translations, but choose 'омерзительный' for sensory disgust or 'противный' in casual speech to match the context. Be mindful of Russian's gender agreement; for example, use the feminine form with female nouns. In formal writing, 'отвратительный' is preferred, while 'противный' suits informal dialogues. Avoid direct word-for-word translations; consider the emotional intensity when selecting.

• Grammar tip: Always decline the adjective to agree with the noun it modifies.
• Context guide: In Russian media, these words often appear in reviews or descriptions, helping to convey strong negative emotions.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse the forms by not declining adjectives correctly, e.g., saying "отвратительный женщина" instead of "отвратительная женщина" (correct: repulsive woman). Error: Using 'противный' in formal contexts where 'отвратительный' is expected, as it can sound too casual. Correct usage: "Его отвратительное поведение" (His repulsive behavior) vs. Error: "Его противное поведение" (which downplays the severity).

• Another common mistake: Confusing with synonyms like 'гадкий' (ugly/nasty), which has a different nuance; explanation: 'Гадкий' implies moral ugliness, while 'отвратительный' focuses on repulsion.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'отвратительный' are frequently used in literature (e.g., in Dostoevsky's works) to describe moral or existential repulsion, reflecting a deep philosophical tradition of exploring human flaws. This can help English speakers understand the word's intensity in contexts beyond literal disgust, such as in social critiques.

Related Concepts:

• гнусный (vile)
• отталкивающий (off-putting)
• мерзкий (disgusting)