Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'scared'

English Word: scared

Key Russian Translations:

• Испуганный [IPA: ɪs.pʊˈɡan.nɨj] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday contexts]
• Напуганный [IPA: nɐ.pʊˈɡan.nɨj] - [Formal, often in written or serious descriptions]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations appear regularly in casual conversations, literature, and media, but not as frequently as basic emotions like "happy".)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; learners at this level should grasp basic adjective forms, but mastering inflections may require practice. For 'Испуганный', it's B1; for 'Напуганный', it's also B1 due to similar structures.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Испуганный: [IPA: ɪs.pʊˈɡan.nɨj]

Note on Испуганный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("ɡan"), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to Russian's variable stress patterns. Pronounce it with a soft 'г' sound.

Audio: []

Напуганный: [IPA: nɐ.pʊˈɡan.nɨj]

Note on Напуганный: Similar to 'Испуганный', stress on the third syllable; note the initial 'н' is softer and nasal, which might vary in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Afraid or frightened due to a sudden or ongoing threat, often describing an emotional state.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Испуганный - Used in informal, everyday situations, such as describing children's reactions or casual storytelling.
• Напуганный - Applied in more formal or narrative contexts, like literature or psychological discussions, to emphasize a deeper fear.

Usage Examples:

• Дети были испуганными после громкого шума на улице.

  The children were scared after the loud noise on the street.

• Она выглядела напуганной, когда услышала странные звуки в доме.

  She looked scared when she heard strange sounds in the house.

• В фильме герой стал испуганным из-за преследования злодея.

  In the movie, the hero became scared due to the villain's pursuit.

• Напуганный водитель резко нажал на тормоза, чтобы избежать аварии.

  The scared driver hit the brakes hard to avoid an accident.

• Испуганный кот спрятался под кроватью во время грозы.

  The scared cat hid under the bed during the storm.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'Испуганный' and 'Напуганный' are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for most words, but these are regular, making them straightforward once the basics are learned. They do not have irregular forms.

These adjectives are invariant in terms of short forms if used predicatively, e.g., "Он испуган" (He is scared).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Боязливый (more about being timid, with a connotation of ongoing caution)
  • Трусливый (implies cowardice, often with a negative judgment)
• Antonyms:
  • Смелый (brave, used in heroic contexts)
  • Отважный (courageous, often in formal or literary settings)

Related Phrases:

• Испугаться чего-либо - To get scared of something; used in sudden fear scenarios, e.g., in thrillers.
• Напугать кого-то - To scare someone; a common phrase in parenting or storytelling contexts.
• В состоянии испуга - In a state of scare; implies a temporary emotional condition.

Usage Notes:

'Испуганный' directly corresponds to 'scared' in informal English, making it ideal for everyday use, while 'Напуганный' aligns more with formal or intensified fear, similar to 'terrified' in English. Be mindful of context: in Russian, these adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which differs from English's invariant adjectives. For learners, choose 'Испуганный' for casual speech and 'Напуганный' for written narratives. Avoid overusing in positive contexts, as Russian culture often emphasizes emotional restraint.

• Grammar tip: Always inflect based on the subject; e.g., don't say "Он испуганный" without proper case if needed.
• Selection guide: If the fear is sudden, use 'Испуганный'; for deeper or induced fear, opt for 'Напуганный'.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the adjective without proper inflection, e.g., saying "Она испуганный" instead of "Она испуганная" (for feminine noun). Correct: "Она испуганная". Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender, so English speakers often forget this, leading to grammatical errors.
• Error: Confusing with the verb form, e.g., using "Испугать" (to scare) when meaning the state, resulting in "Он испугать" instead of "Он испуганный". Correct: "Он испуганный". Explanation: 'Scared' is a state, not an action, so stick to the adjective form.
• Error: Overgeneralizing to mean 'nervous', e.g., translating "I'm scared" as "Я напуганный" in non-fear contexts. Correct: Use context-specific words like "Нервный" for nervousness. Explanation: This can lead to miscommunication in emotional discussions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions of fear like 'Испуганный' often appear in folklore and literature, such as in fairy tales where characters face supernatural threats. This reflects a historical emphasis on resilience against adversity, so 'scared' might be downplayed in everyday interactions to maintain a stoic image, unlike in more expressive English-speaking cultures.

Related Concepts:

• Страх (fear, as a general noun)
• Боязнь (apprehension or phobia)
• Тревога (anxiety, often linked to prolonged fear)