Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'revolting'

English Word: revolting

Key Russian Translations:

• отвратительный [ɐtvrɐˈtʲitʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Informal; commonly used in everyday contexts to describe something disgusting]
• мерзкий [ˈmʲɛrzkʲɪj] - [Formal; often used in more polite or literary settings for a sense of repulsiveness]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered regularly in Russian media, literature, and conversation, but not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives like "хороший" – good.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this CEFR level should grasp the concept, but mastering inflections and nuances may require practice. For "отвратительный", it's B1; for "мерзкий", it's also B1 due to similar adjective structures.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

отвратительный: [ɐtvrɐˈtʲitʲɪlʲnɨj]

мерзкий: [ˈmʲɛrzkʲɪj]

Note on отвратительный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("тʲитʲ"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonants; pronounce it with a clear "tʲ" sound as in "tea". Variations in regional accents may soften the vowels.

Note on мерзкий: This word has a hard "r" sound, which is rolled in standard Russian; be mindful of the emphasis on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Extremely disgusting, repulsive, or offensive to the senses (e.g., describing something that causes strong aversion).

Translation(s) & Context:

• отвратительный - Used in informal contexts, such as everyday complaints about food or experiences; common in spoken language among friends or family.
• мерзкий - Applied in more formal or descriptive contexts, like literature or professional critiques, to emphasize moral or physical repulsiveness.

Usage Examples:

• Этот суп отвратительный – он пахнет гнилью.

  This soup is revolting – it smells like rot. (Demonstrates use in a casual, sensory context.)

• Её поведение на вечеринке было мерзким и неуместным.

  Her behavior at the party was revolting and inappropriate. (Shows application in a social or moral context.)

• Отвратительный вид этого фильма заставил меня выйти из зала.

  The revolting sight of this movie made me leave the theater. (Illustrates use with visual or emotional disgust.)

• Мерзкий вкус этой еды испортил весь ужин.

  The revolting taste of this food ruined the entire dinner. (Highlights sensory application in a formal tone.)

• В этой комнате такой отвратительный запах, что невозможно дышать.

  There's such a revolting smell in this room that it's impossible to breathe. (Exemplifies use in descriptive, everyday scenarios.)

Alternative Meaning: In some contexts, 'revolting' can imply rebellion or uprising (less common for this adjective form).

Translation(s) & Context:

• восставший - Used metaphorically in historical or political discussions, but not a direct match for the primary meaning.

Usage Examples:

• Дух восставших людей был отвратительным для тирана.

  The spirit of the revolting people was repulsive to the tyrant. (Blends meanings in a historical context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. "Отвратительный" and "мерзкий" follow standard first-declension adjective patterns with some irregularities in spelling.

Note: These adjectives do not change in the predicative position (e.g., "Это отвратительно"), making them invariant in some uses.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • гадкий (similar to 'disgusting', but with a connotation of deceit; often used for people)
  • противный (informal, emphasizing annoyance more than physical disgust)
• Antonyms:
  • приятный (pleasant)
  • привлекательный (attractive)

Related Phrases:

• отвратительный вкус – A revolting taste (used to describe unpalatable food or experiences).
• мерзкий запах – A revolting smell (common in contexts like describing bad odors in everyday life).
• отвратительная погода – Revolting weather (e.g., extremely unpleasant conditions).

Usage Notes:

"Отвратительный" directly corresponds to the English 'revolting' in its sensory or emotional sense and is versatile for informal speech, while "мерзкий" is better for formal or written contexts to avoid sounding too harsh. English learners should note that Russian adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify, which is a key grammatical difference. For example, choose "отвратительный" for casual conversations and "мерзкий" in literary or professional settings to match the appropriate register. Be cautious with cultural sensitivities, as these words can escalate in emotional intensity.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "отвратительный" with "революционный" (revolutionary), as they sound similar to English 'revolting'. Error: Saying "революционный фильм" to mean a disgusting movie. Correct: Use "отвратительный фильм". Explanation: "Революционный" relates to rebellion, not disgust, so context is crucial for accurate word choice.

• Forgetting adjective agreement: Error: Saying "Эта еда отвратительный" (incorrect gender agreement). Correct: "Эта еда отвратительная". Explanation: Adjectives must match the noun's gender (feminine in this case), which is a common pitfall for English speakers used to invariant adjectives.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "отвратительный" are often used hyperbolically in everyday speech to express strong emotions, reflecting a cultural tendency toward expressive language in social interactions. For instance, Russians might describe mildly unpleasant food as "отвратительный" for emphasis, which aligns with a broader cultural appreciation for dramatic expression in literature and conversation, as seen in works by authors like Dostoevsky.

Related Concepts:

• гадкий
• противный
• приятный