Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'snappish'

English Word: snappish

Key Russian Translations:

• раздражительный (/rəzˈdrɑːʒɪtʲɪlʲnɨj/) - [Formal, often used for temperament]
• резкий (/ˈrʲɛskʲɪj/) - [Informal, particularly for speech or manner]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature and everyday descriptions of personality, but not as frequent as basic adjectives like "good" or "bad").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective nuances and basic declensions, with раздражительный being slightly more complex due to its length and stress patterns, while резкий is more straightforward).

Pronunciation (Russian):

раздражительный: /rəzˈdrɑːʒɪtʲɪlʲnɨj/

Note on раздражительный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("drɑːʒ"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonants; practice with native audio for accurate palatalization.

резкий: /ˈrʲɛskʲɪj/

Note on резкий: The initial "rʲ" is a palatalized r, common in Russian; it's softer than the English "r" and may require tongue positioning adjustments.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Easily irritated, quick to anger, or curt in speech and manner.

Translation(s) & Context:

• раздражительный - Used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as psychology or literature, to describe a person's irritable temperament.
• резкий - Applied in informal settings, like conversations, to indicate sharp or abrupt speech that might come across as snappish.

Usage Examples:

• Он был раздражительным после долгого рабочего дня и не терпел никаких вопросов.

  He was snappish after a long workday and couldn't tolerate any questions.

• Её резкий ответ удивил всех на собрании, так как она обычно спокойная.

  Her snappish response surprised everyone at the meeting, as she's usually calm.

• В жару дети становятся раздражительными и капризными, требуя постоянного внимания.

  In the heat, children become snappish and capricious, demanding constant attention.

• Резкий тон его голоса указывал на то, что он в плохом настроении.

  The snappish tone of his voice indicated that he was in a bad mood.

• Она старалась не быть раздражительной, но усталость взяла верх.

  She tried not to be snappish, but fatigue got the better of her.

Meaning 2: Sharp or biting in style, such as in criticism or wit.

Translation(s) & Context:

• резкий - Common in contexts involving dialogue or writing, to denote a snappish edge without full anger.

Usage Examples:

• Его резкий комментарий о фильме разозлил режиссера.

  His snappish comment about the film angered the director.

• Резкий юмор в этой комедии иногда обижает зрителей.

  The snappish humor in this comedy sometimes offends viewers.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both раздражительный and резкий are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow standard patterns for hard-stem adjectives. Below is a table outlining the inflections for each:

Note: These adjectives are regular and follow the standard pattern. They do not have irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вспыльчивый (more impulsive, often used for sudden outbursts)
  • нервный (nervous, with a connotation of anxiety)
• Antonyms:
  • спокойный (calm, directly opposite in temperament)
  • терпеливый (patient, emphasizing endurance)

Related Phrases:

• Быть раздражительным - To be in a snappish mood; often used in self-reflection or descriptions.
• Резкий ответ - A snappish reply; common in conversational contexts to indicate quick retorts.
• Вспышка раздражительности - A burst of snappishness; refers to temporary irritability in emotional situations.

Usage Notes:

Snappish in English often corresponds to раздражительный when describing a general personality trait, making it suitable for formal writing or psychological discussions. Use резкий for more situational, speech-related contexts, as it conveys brevity and edge without implying deep-seated anger. Be mindful of gender agreement in Russian sentences; for example, pair with masculine nouns like "человек" (person). In informal speech, резкий might be preferred to avoid sounding overly formal. When choosing between translations, consider the intensity: раздражительный suggests ongoing irritability, while резкий is more about momentary sharpness.

Common Errors:

• Confusing раздражительный with нервный: Learners might overuse нервный to mean snappish, but нервный implies nervousness rather than irritability. Correct usage: Instead of saying "Он нервный" for "He is snappish," use "Он раздражительный." Error example: "Он нервный человек" (implying anxiety); Correct: "Он раздражительный человек" (implying quick temper).

• Misplacing stress in pronunciation: English speakers often stress the wrong syllable in раздражительный, saying /rəzdrɑːʒɪˈtʲɪlʲnɨj/ instead of /rəzˈdrɑːʒɪtʲɪlʲnɨj/. This can alter the word's perceived meaning. Practice with audio to avoid this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like раздражительный often appear in literature (e.g., in works by Chekhov) to depict characters under stress from daily life or historical hardships. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on emotional restraint, where being snappish might be seen as a sign of weakness or poor self-control, contrasting with the ideal of спокойствие (calmness).

Related Concepts:

• вспыльчивый
• нервный
• эмоциональный