Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sentimental'

English Word: sentimental

Key Russian Translations:

• сентиментальный /sɛntʲɪmʲɪnˈtalʲnɨj/ - [Formal, Literary]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary, emotional, or artistic contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with adjectives and emotional vocabulary in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сентиментальный: /sɛntʲɪmʲɪnˈtalʲnɨj/

Note on сентиментальный: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("tal"). Pay attention to the soft consonants (ʲ) which are common in Russian and can affect pronunciation fluidity.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Relating to or arousing emotions, especially tender, nostalgic, or overly emotional feelings.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сентиментальный - Used in formal or literary settings to describe people, stories, or objects that evoke deep emotions; often implies a positive or romantic connotation in Russian culture.

Usage Examples:

• Этот фильм очень сентиментальный и трогает до слез.

  This film is very sentimental and brings tears to your eyes.

• Она сентиментальна по натуре и всегда хранит старые письма.

  She is sentimental by nature and always keeps old letters.

• Сентиментальный подарок от бабушки напомнил ему детство.

  The sentimental gift from his grandmother reminded him of his childhood.

• В этой книге автор использует сентиментальный стиль, чтобы подчеркнуть человеческие слабости.

  In this book, the author uses a sentimental style to highlight human weaknesses.

• Его сентиментальные воспоминания о поездке сделали её незабываемой.

  His sentimental memories of the trip made it unforgettable.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

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

Note: This adjective is regular and follows standard rules, so it doesn't have irregular forms. If used in different contexts, ensure agreement with the noun it modifies.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • эмоциональный (more general, emotional; often interchangeable but less focused on tenderness)
  • романтический (romantic; implies a positive, idealistic emotion)
• Antonyms:
  • бесстрастный (unemotional, detached; used when lacking sentiment)
  • циничный (cynical; implies skepticism toward emotions)

Related Phrases:

• сентиментальная ценность - Sentimental value (refers to the emotional worth of an object, not its monetary value).
• сентиментальный момент - Sentimental moment (a touching or nostalgic instance in life or a story).
• сентиментальный стиль - Sentimental style (used in literature or art to describe overly emotional expression).

Usage Notes:

"Сентиментальный" directly corresponds to "sentimental" in English but is more commonly used in formal or literary Russian rather than casual speech. Be cautious of context: in Russian, it can carry a slightly positive connotation in artistic settings, unlike in English where it might imply excess emotion. When choosing between synonyms like "эмоциональный," opt for "сентиментальный" if the focus is on tenderness or nostalgia. Grammatically, always ensure it agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it describes, as Russian adjectives must.

• In informal contexts, Russians might prefer "душевный" (heartfelt) for a warmer tone.
• Avoid overuse in everyday conversation to prevent sounding overly dramatic.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "сентиментальный" with "эмоциональный," leading to imprecise usage. For example:

• Error: Using "эмоциональный" when "сентиментальный" is needed for a nostalgic context, e.g., saying "Эмоциональный фильм" instead of "Сентиментальный фильм" for a tear-jerker movie.
• Correct: "Сентиментальный фильм" – This specifies the emotional depth tied to sentiment, whereas "эмоциональный" is broader.
• Another Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "Сентиментальный женщина" (incorrect) instead of "Сентиментальная женщина" for a feminine noun.
• Correct: Always match the ending: "Сентиментальный" for masculine, "Сентиментальная" for feminine, etc.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "сентиментальный" is often associated with 19th-century literature, such as the works of Pushkin or Dostoevsky, where emotional depth and nostalgia play key roles. It reflects a cultural appreciation for heartfelt expressions in art and personal relationships, but overuse can be seen as melodramatic in modern contexts, highlighting Russia's romantic literary heritage.

Related Concepts:

• романтический
• душевный
• ностальгический