Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'saturnine'

English Word: saturnine

Key Russian Translations:

• Меланхоличный [mʲɪlʌnˈxolʲɪnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective, Used in literary or psychological contexts]
• Угрюмый [uˈɡrʲumɨj] - [Informal, Adjective, Used in everyday descriptions of mood]
• Хмурый [ˈxmuːrɨj] - [Informal, Adjective, Often implies temporary gloominess]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are not everyday vocabulary but appear in literature, psychology, and descriptive writing.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjectives and nuanced emotional vocabulary. For 'Меланхоличный', it's B2; for 'Угрюмый' and 'Хмурый', it's B1.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Меланхоличный: [mʲɪlʌnˈxolʲɪnɨj]

Угрюмый: [uˈɡrʲumɨj]

Хмурый: [ˈxmuːrɨj]

Note on Меланхоличный: The 'х' sound is a guttural fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the 'ch' in Scottish "loch". Pronounce it softly for emphasis on melancholy.

Note on Угрюмый: Stress on the second syllable; avoid overemphasizing the 'у' to prevent it sounding like a different word.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Describing a gloomy, melancholic, or sullen disposition, often with a sense of innate seriousness.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Меланхоличный - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe a person's inherent temperament, such as in psychological or artistic discussions.
• Угрюмый - Applied in informal settings to indicate temporary or situational gloominess, like in everyday conversations about mood.
• Хмурый - Common in casual speech for short-term expressions of mood, often related to weather or immediate emotions.

Usage Examples:

• Его меланхоличный характер делал его отличным писателем, но трудным собеседником.

  His saturnine nature made him an excellent writer but a difficult conversationalist.

• В дождливые дни она становилась угрюмой и предпочитала оставаться дома.

  On rainy days, she became saturnine and preferred to stay at home.

• Хмурый взгляд его друга заставил всех в комнате замолчать.

  His friend's saturnine glance made everyone in the room fall silent.

• Меланхоличный настрой вечера был усилен тихой музыкой в фоне.

  The saturnine atmosphere of the evening was enhanced by the quiet background music.

• После неудачи он выглядел угрюмым, но быстро взял себя в руки.

  After the failure, he appeared saturnine but quickly pulled himself together.

Meaning 2: Referring to something slow, heavy, or leaden, as in astrological influences (less common in modern usage).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Меланхоличный - Used in historical or astrological contexts to evoke the influence of Saturn.
• Угрюмый - Rarely used for this meaning, but possible in poetic descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• В астрологии меланхоличный аспект Сатурна влияет на характер человека.

  In astrology, the saturnine aspect of Saturn influences a person's character.

• Его меланхоличный темп речи отражал древние традиции.

  His saturnine pace of speech reflected ancient traditions.

• Угрюмый ритм марша напоминал о тяжелых временах.

  The saturnine rhythm of the march evoked heavy times.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations ('Меланхоличный', 'Угрюмый', 'Хмурый') are adjectives, which follow standard Russian adjective inflection patterns. Russian adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify. They have short and long forms, with the long form being more common.

These adjectives are regular, but 'Меланхоличный' may have slight variations in poetic usage. No irregular forms are common.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Печальный (sad, with a more emotional tone), Грустный (sorrowful, less intense), Мрачный (gloomy, darker connotation)
• Antonyms: Веселый (cheerful), Радостный (joyful), Оптимистичный (optimistic; note: this is less common and more formal)

Synonyms like 'Печальный' are often interchangeable but 'Меланхоличный' implies a deeper, more philosophical sadness.

Related Phrases:

• Меланхоличное настроение - A saturnine mood; used to describe a pervasive sense of melancholy in literature or personal reflection.
• Угрюмый вид - A saturnine appearance; common in everyday descriptions of someone's facial expression.
• Хмурый день - A saturnine day; often refers to gloomy weather or an unproductive day.
• Меланхоличный характер - Saturnine temperament; highlights personality traits in psychological contexts.

Usage Notes:

'Saturnine' corresponds most closely to 'Меланхоличный' in formal English-Russian translation, especially for literary or psychological uses, due to its roots in ancient humorism. Choose 'Угрюмый' for informal, everyday contexts where a lighter tone is needed. Be mindful of gender and case agreement in Russian sentences. For example, if describing a female subject, use 'Меланхоличная'. Multiple translations allow flexibility based on register: 'Меланхоличный' for elevated language and 'Хмурый' for casual speech.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'Меланхоличный' interchangeably with 'Грустный' without considering nuance. Correct: 'Грустный' implies temporary sadness, while 'Меланхоличный' suggests a deeper, inherent trait. Example of error: "Он грустный сегодня" (incorrect for saturnine); Correct: "Он меланхоличный по природе".

• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "Меланхоличный женщина" instead of "Меланхоличная женщина". Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender; always check for feminine, neuter, or plural forms.

• Error: Overusing in casual speech, as 'Меланхоличный' sounds formal and may come across as pretentious. Correct approach: Opt for 'Угрюмый' in informal settings to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'Меланхоличный' often evoke themes from literature, such as in the works of Chekhov or Dostoevsky, where melancholy is linked to the Russian soul and introspective philosophy. This reflects a cultural appreciation for deep emotional states, contrasting with more upbeat Western portrayals.

Related Concepts:

• Депрессия (depression)
• Мрачный (gloomy)
• Пессимизм (pessimism)
• Тоска (yearning or longing, often with melancholy)