Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'snooty'

English Word: snooty

Key Russian Translations:

• снобский [ˈsnobskʲɪj] - [Informal, Adjective]
• высокомерный [vɨˈsokəmʲɪrnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversations about personality traits, but not as frequent as basic adjectives.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of nuanced adjectives and cultural contexts in Russian.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

снобский: [ˈsnobskʲɪj] (The stress is on the first syllable; the 'кʲ' sound is a palatalized 'k', which can be tricky for English speakers.)

Note on снобский: Pay attention to the palatalization in 'скʲ', which softens the sound. It's pronounced more softly than in English equivalents.

высокомерный: [vɨˈsokəmʲɪrnɨj] (Stress on the third syllable; the 'ɨ' is a central vowel, similar to the 'i' in "bit" but more neutral.)

Note on высокомерный: This word has a rolling rhythm due to its length; practice breaking it into syllables for better fluency.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Arrogant or condescending in manner, often implying a sense of superiority.

Translation(s) & Context:

• снобский - Used in informal contexts to describe someone who is snobbish or looks down on others, often in casual social discussions.
• высокомерный - Applied in more formal or literary contexts, emphasizing haughtiness in professional or social settings.

Usage Examples:

• Он такой снобский, всегда критикует чужие вкусы в одежде.

  He is so snooty, always criticizing other people's tastes in clothing.

• Её высокомерный тон отпугивает друзей на вечеринках.

  Her snooty tone scares away friends at parties.

• В этом ресторане официанты ведут себя снобски по отношению к обычным посетителям.

  In this restaurant, the waiters act snooty towards regular customers.

• Высокомерный менеджер отказывается общаться с подчинёнными на равных.

  The snooty manager refuses to communicate with subordinates on equal terms.

• Снобский подход к искусству делает его невыносимым в разговорах.

  His snooty approach to art makes him unbearable in conversations.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "снобский" and "высокомерный" are adjectives in Russian, which typically follow regular adjectival declension patterns. Russian adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify. They do not have irregular forms but must be inflected based on context.

Note: These adjectives are invariable in terms of stem changes but must be adjusted for agreement. For example, in a sentence like "снобский человек" (snooty person), it changes based on the noun's gender and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: высокомерный (similar but more formal), надменный (arrogant, with a sense of disdain)
• Antonyms: скромный (modest, humble), дружелюбный (friendly, approachable)

Note: "Надменный" is a close synonym to "высокомерный" but often implies a more overt display of superiority.

Related Phrases:

• Снобский взгляд на мир - A snooty view of the world (Refers to an elitist perspective on society.)
• Высокомерный тон - A snooty tone (Used to describe condescending speech in conversations.)
• Быть снобским эстетом - To be a snooty aesthete (Common in cultural discussions about art and taste.)

Usage Notes:

"Snooty" translates best to "снобский" in informal settings, like everyday conversations, while "высокомерный" is preferred in formal writing or professional contexts. Be mindful of the adjective agreement in Russian sentences; always match gender, number, and case with the noun. For example, use "снобская женщина" for "snooty woman." When choosing between translations, opt for "снобский" if the context is light-hearted or colloquial, and "высокомерный" for more serious or critical descriptions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "снобский" in formal contexts where "высокомерный" is more appropriate, e.g., saying "снобский руководитель" in a business report instead of "высокомерный руководитель." Correct: "Высокомерный" fits better for professional tone. Explanation: "Снобский" can sound too casual or slangy in formal Russian.

• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "снобский женщина" instead of "снобская женщина." Correct: Always inflect the adjective to match the noun's gender. Explanation: This is a common mistake for English speakers who are not used to grammatical gender.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "снобский" often evoke images of intellectual elitism, stemming from historical influences like the Soviet era's criticism of Western snobbery. It can carry a negative connotation in modern contexts, reflecting societal values that prioritize modesty over ostentation.

Related Concepts:

• элитарный (elitist)
• надменность (haughtiness)
• снобизм (snobbery)