Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'restlessness'

English Word: restlessness

Key Russian Translations:

• беспокойство (/bʲɪˈspɐkəjvstʲə/) - [Formal, Informal; Common in everyday and literary contexts]
• нервозность (/nʲɪrˈvoznəstʲ/) - [Informal; Often used in psychological or emotional discussions]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its variants are commonly encountered in Russian literature, conversations, and media, but not as basic as everyday nouns like "дом").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of noun declensions and emotional vocabulary. For 'беспокойство', it's B1; for 'нервозность', it's also B1 due to similar structures.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

беспокойство: /bʲɪˈspɐkəjvstʲə/ (The stress is on the third syllable; note the palatalized 'б' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.)

Note on беспокойство: The 'ой' diphthong may sound like "oy" as in "boy," but it's softer in Russian. Pay attention to the final 'о' which softens in casual speech.

нервозность: /nʲɪrˈvoznəstʲ/ (Stress on the second syllable; the 'р' is rolled, typical in Russian.)

Note on нервозность: This word has a more abrupt, staccato feel due to the consonant clusters, which might vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A state of physical or mental uneasiness, inability to rest calmly.

Translation(s) & Context:

• беспокойство - Used in contexts describing anxiety or fidgeting, such as in daily life or medical discussions.
• нервозность - Applied in informal settings for heightened emotional tension, like stress at work.

Usage Examples:

• Его беспокойство не давало ему сидеть на месте во время совещания.

  His restlessness wouldn't let him sit still during the meeting.

• Дети проявляли нервозность перед началом школьного года.

  The children showed restlessness before the start of the school year.

• Беспокойство в её глазах указывало на внутренний конфликт.

  The restlessness in her eyes indicated an inner conflict.

• Из-за нервозности он не смог сосредоточиться на задаче.

  Due to his restlessness, he couldn't focus on the task.

• Беспокойство охватило толпу, ожидающую результатов выборов.

  Restlessness gripped the crowd waiting for the election results.

Meaning 2: A general sense of agitation or impatience, often in a broader emotional context.

Translation(s) & Context:

• беспокойство - In literary or formal writing, to describe existential unease.
• нервозность - In casual conversations, for temporary irritability.

Usage Examples:

• Беспокойство молодёжи в современном мире часто связано с неопределённостью будущего.

  The restlessness of youth in the modern world is often linked to uncertainty about the future.

• Её нервозность проявилась в быстрых жестах и прерывистой речи.

  Her restlessness manifested in quick gestures and interrupted speech.

• Беспокойство в обществе растёт из-за экономических проблем.

  Restlessness in society is growing due to economic issues.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'беспокойство' and 'нервозность' are neuter nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard neuter declension patterns. They are abstract nouns and do not change in the nominative singular form but inflect for case, number, and gender agreement where applicable.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular inflections, making them straightforward for learners at B1 level once basic declensions are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • тревога (trevoga) - Similar to 'беспокойство' but often implies more acute worry.
  • возбуждение (vozbudzheniye) - Used for excitement mixed with restlessness, in informal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • спокойствие (spokoystvo) - Direct opposite, meaning calmness.
  • успокоенность (uspokoennost') - A state of being settled or at peace.

Related Phrases:

• чувство беспокойства - A feeling of restlessness; Used to describe emotional states in therapy or literature.
• нервозная атмосфера - A nervous atmosphere; Common in descriptions of tense social situations.
• беспокойный сон - Restless sleep; Often in health-related contexts.

Usage Notes:

'Беспокойство' is the most precise translation for 'restlessness' in formal or neutral contexts, closely mirroring the English word's connotation of inner turmoil. It can be used in both singular and plural forms depending on the context (e.g., multiple instances of unease). 'Нервозность' is better for informal, everyday speech and implies a more temporary or superficial agitation. Be mindful of case endings when using these in sentences; for example, in prepositional phrases like "о беспокойстве" (about restlessness). English learners should choose based on the intensity: 'беспокойство' for deeper emotional states and 'нервозность' for situational irritability.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "в беспокойство" instead of "в беспокойстве" in prepositional contexts. Correct: в беспокойстве (in restlessness). Explanation: Russian requires the prepositional case for locations or states, which English speakers often overlook.
• Error: Confusing with similar words like 'тревога', leading to overuse. Correct: Use 'беспокойство' for general restlessness, not acute fear. Explanation: 'Тревога' implies anxiety with a fear component, so it's not always interchangeable.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'беспокойство' often appears in literature and philosophy, reflecting themes of existential unease, as seen in works by Dostoevsky. It can symbolize the broader Slavic cultural emphasis on introspection and emotional depth, where restlessness is not just personal but tied to societal or historical turbulence, such as during periods of political change.

Related Concepts:

• тревога
• возбуждение
• спокойствие