Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'rowdy'

English Word: rowdy

Key Russian Translations:

• буйный [ˈbuɪ̯nɨj] - [Informal, often used for people or events that are wild and uncontrollable]
• шумный [ˈʂumnɨj] - [Informal, emphasizing noise more than disorder]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are commonly encountered in everyday Russian conversations about social gatherings or behavior, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level should grasp the concept, but mastering inflections and nuances may require practice. For 'буйный', it's B1; for 'шумный', it's A2 due to its simpler usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

буйный: [ˈbuɪ̯nɨj] (The 'у' sound is like the 'oo' in 'book', and the stress is on the first syllable. Pay attention to the soft 'й' at the end.)

шумный: [ˈʂumnɨj] (The 'ш' is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, similar to 'sh' in 'shoe'. Stress on the first syllable.)

Note on буйный: This word can have slight regional variations in pronunciation in Russian dialects, where the 'у' might sound more rounded.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Noisy and disorderly behavior or person

Translation(s) & Context:

• буйный - Used in informal contexts to describe rowdy parties, crowds, or individuals causing disruption, such as at a festival or protest.
• шумный - Applied in everyday situations for something merely loud, like a noisy child, but less intense than 'буйный'.

Usage Examples:

• Вечеринка была очень буйной, и полиция вмешалась из-за шума.

  The party was very rowdy, and the police intervened because of the noise.

• Эта буйная толпа фанатов пела песни и танцевала на улицах.

  This rowdy crowd of fans was singing songs and dancing in the streets.

• Шумный ребенок буйствовал в парке, мешая другим отдыхать.

  The rowdy child was making a racket in the park, disturbing others' relaxation.

• После матча футболисты устроили буйную вечеринку в отеле.

  After the match, the football players threw a rowdy party at the hotel.

• Его шумный смех превратил собрание в буйное мероприятие.

  His rowdy laughter turned the meeting into a disorderly event.

Idiomatic or figurative use

Translation(s) & Context:

• буйный - In figurative contexts, like describing a 'rowdy' personality in literature or media, implying unpredictability.

Usage Examples:

• Его буйный характер часто приводил к конфликтам с друзьями.

  His rowdy nature often led to conflicts with friends.

• Буйная молодёжь города известна своими спонтанными вечеринками.

  The rowdy youth of the city is known for their spontaneous parties.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'буйный' and 'шумный' are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for hard-stem adjectives. 'Буйный' is a hard-stem adjective, while 'шумный' follows similar rules.

Note: These adjectives do not change for verbs but must agree with the nouns they modify.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • шумный (more focused on noise)
  • хулиганский (implies hooligan-like behavior, with a slight negative connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • спокойный (calm, peaceful)
  • тишайший (extremely quiet, used for emphasis)

Related Phrases:

• буйная толпа - A rowdy crowd; used to describe chaotic groups in public settings.
• шумный праздник - A rowdy celebration; refers to festive events that get out of hand.
• вести буйный образ жизни - To lead a rowdy lifestyle; implies a wild or reckless way of living.

Usage Notes:

'Rowdy' corresponds most closely to 'буйный' in Russian when emphasizing disorder and unruliness, but 'шумный' is better for purely noisy situations. Use 'буйный' in informal or colloquial contexts, as it's less formal and can carry a playful tone in youth culture. Be cautious with gender and case agreements, as Russian adjectives must match the noun they describe. When choosing between translations, opt for 'шумный' if the focus is on sound, and 'буйный' for behavioral aspects. In formal writing, consider more neutral alternatives like 'неуправляемый' (uncontrollable).

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'буйный' interchangeably with 'шумный' without considering context. For example, saying "буйный ребенок" for a child who is just loud, not disruptive.
  Correct: Use 'шумный ребенок' for a merely noisy child. Explanation: 'Буйный' implies more chaos, so it can exaggerate the meaning.
• Mistake: Forgetting to inflect the adjective, e.g., saying "буйный дом" instead of "буйная вечеринка" in the correct gender.
  Correct: Always adjust for gender, number, and case, like "буйная вечеринка". Explanation: This is a common grammatical error for English speakers unfamiliar with Russian agreement rules.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'буйный' often evoke images of lively social events, such as festivals or football matches, where rowdiness is sometimes celebrated as part of communal spirit. However, it can also reference historical contexts like the 'буйные бунты' (rowdy riots) in Russian history, highlighting social unrest. This reflects Russia's emphasis on collective behavior in both positive and negative lights.

Related Concepts:

• хулиган
• беспорядок
• весёлый (merry, but can overlap in festive contexts)