Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sanguinary'

English Word: sanguinary

Key Russian Translations:

• кровавый /kroˈvavɨj/ - [Formal, often used in literary or historical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary, historical, or news contexts but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions and formal vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кровавый: /kroˈvavɨj/

Note on кровавый: The stress is on the second syllable ('va'). Be cautious with the 'ы' sound, which is a back vowel unique to Russian and can be challenging for English speakers. Variations in pronunciation may occur in dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Involving much bloodshed or characterized by violence (e.g., in war or conflict)

Translation(s) & Context:

• кровавый - Used in formal or descriptive contexts to describe events, battles, or actions involving blood and violence, such as in historical narratives or news reports.

Usage Examples:

• Война была кровавой и унесла тысячи жизней.

  The war was sanguinary and took thousands of lives. (This example shows the adjective in a historical context, describing the scale of violence.)

• Кровавый конфликт в регионе продолжался годами.

  The sanguinary conflict in the region lasted for years. (Here, it illustrates use in a geopolitical or news context, emphasizing ongoing bloodshed.)

• Его речь была наполнена кровавыми образами из прошлого.

  His speech was filled with sanguinary images from the past. (This demonstrates the word in a metaphorical sense within literary or rhetorical language.)

• Кровавый инцидент на границе вызвал международный скандал.

  The sanguinary incident at the border caused an international scandal. (Example in a modern news context, highlighting immediate violence.)

• В фильме показано кровавое сражение, полное драматизма.

  The film depicts a sanguinary battle full of drama. (This shows usage in cultural or artistic descriptions, varying grammar structures.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"кровавый" is an adjective in Russian, which means it inflects based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard pattern for first-declension adjectives. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward once basic declension rules are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • жестокий (zhestokiy) - More general, implying cruelty; often used interchangeably but less focused on bloodshed.
  • кровожадный (krovozhadnyy) - Emphasizes bloodthirstiness, suitable for contexts of extreme violence.
• Antonyms:
  • мирный (mirnyy) - Peaceful, contrasting with violence.
  • гуманный (gumannyy) - Humane, highlighting compassion over brutality.

Related Phrases:

• Кровавый конфликт (krovavyy konflikt) - A sanguinary conflict; refers to a violent dispute or war.
• Кровавые события (krovavyye sobytiya) - Sanguinary events; used for historical or current bloody occurrences.
• Кровавый путь (krovavyy put') - A bloody path; an idiom for a history marked by violence, often in biographical contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Кровавый" directly corresponds to the English "sanguinary" in contexts involving literal or metaphorical bloodshed, but it is more commonly used in formal, literary, or journalistic Russian. English speakers should note that Russian adjectives like this one must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key grammatical difference from English. For example, choose "кровавый" for a formal tone over "кровожадный" if the emphasis is on bloodshed rather than general cruelty. It's versatile across contexts but avoid it in casual conversation to prevent sounding overly dramatic.

• In historical texts, it's ideal for describing wars or revolutions.
• When selecting among translations, prioritize "кровавый" for precision if the English word implies blood involvement.

Common Errors:

• Using "кровавый" without proper declension: English learners often forget to change the adjective form, e.g., saying "война кровавый" instead of "война кровавая". Correct: Always decline based on the noun's gender and case.
• Confusing with synonyms: Mistaking it for "жестокий" in violent contexts, leading to "жестокий война" (incorrect emphasis). Explanation: "Кровавый" specifically connotes blood, so use it for sanguinary meanings; pair with the right context to avoid vagueness.
• Overusing in informal speech: Learners might say "Это кровавый фильм" in casual talk, which sounds unnatural. Correct: Reserve for formal settings; in everyday language, use simpler words like "страшный" (scary).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "кровавый" often evoke historical events such as the Russian Revolution or World War II, where bloodshed played a central role. It carries a somber, dramatic connotation in literature (e.g., in works by Tolstoy or Solzhenitsyn), reflecting Russia's history of conflicts and emphasizing the human cost of violence, which can deepen users' appreciation of Russian storytelling traditions.

Related Concepts:

• жестокость (zhestokost') - Cruelty
• насилие (nasiliye) - Violence
• война (voyna) - War