Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'spite'

English Word: spite

Key Russian Translations:

• злоба [ˈzɫəbə] - [Formal, used for deep-seated malice or resentment]
• назло [nɐˈzɫo] - [Informal, used in everyday contexts for petty spite or defiance]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, conversations about emotions, but not in casual daily chit-chat).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires understanding of emotional nuances and basic noun declensions; for 'злоба', it's straightforward, but 'назло' as an adverb may add slight complexity for beginners).

Pronunciation (Russian):

злоба: [ˈzɫəbə] (The 'з' is a voiced alveolar fricative, similar to 'z' in 'zebra'; stress on the first syllable.)

назло: [nɐˈzɫo] (Stress on the second syllable; the 'з' sound is soft and flows into 'л'.)

Note on злоба: Be cautious with the 'л' sound, which can be palatalized in some dialects, making it sound like [ˈzɫʲəbə].

Note on назло: This word often has a quicker pronunciation in informal speech, potentially eliding vowels.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Malicious intent or resentment (e.g., the feeling of wanting to harm someone out of ill will)

Translation(s) & Context:

• злоба - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe deep-seated spite, often in psychological or emotional discussions.
• назло - Applied in informal, everyday situations, like childish defiance or petty actions against someone.

Usage Examples:

• Его действия были dictated чистой злобой, и он не остановился, несмотря на последствия.

  His actions were dictated by pure spite, and he didn't stop despite the consequences.

• Она сказала это назло ему, просто чтобы увидеть его реакцию.

  She said it out of spite to him, just to see his reaction.

• В литературе злоба часто изображается как разрушительная сила, ведущая к трагедии.

  In literature, spite is often depicted as a destructive force leading to tragedy.

• Ребенок сломал игрушку назло родителям, потому что они не разрешили ему пойти гулять.

  The child broke the toy out of spite to his parents because they didn't let him go out to play.

• Его злоба проявилась в мелких подлых поступках, которые отравляли атмосферу в семье.

  His spite manifested in petty malicious acts that poisoned the family atmosphere.

Defiance or in spite of something (e.g., doing something despite obstacles)

Translation(s) & Context:

• назло - Informal context for acting spitefully against expectations or rules.
• вопреки [vɐˈprʲekʲɪ] - More neutral, used for 'in spite of' in a broader sense, though less emotionally charged.

Usage Examples:

• Он продолжил работать назло всем трудностям, которые вставали на его пути.

  He continued working out of spite despite all the difficulties that stood in his way.

• Вопреки плохой погоде, она пошла на прогулку, driven чистой злобой к рутине.

  In spite of the bad weather, she went for a walk, driven by pure spite toward routine.

• Назло критикам, художник выставил свои работы, которые считались провокационными.

  Out of spite to the critics, the artist exhibited his works, which were considered provocative.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'злоба' (a feminine noun in the first declension), it follows standard Russian noun patterns with regular inflections based on case and number. It does not have irregularities.

For 'назло' (an adverb), it is invariable and does not change forms across cases or numbers.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ненависть (hatred; more intense and personal than злоба)
  • вражда (enmity; implies ongoing conflict, often in formal contexts)
  • озлобленность (bitterness; similar to злоба but with a connotation of long-term resentment)
• Antonyms:
  • доброта (kindness; directly opposes spiteful behavior)
  • терпение (patience; used when spite involves impatience or frustration)

Related Phrases:

• Из чистой злобы (Out of pure spite; used to emphasize unprovoked malice in emotional contexts).
• Назло кому-то (Out of spite to someone; common in interpersonal conflicts, implying deliberate provocation).
• Вопреки злобе (In spite of spite; refers to overcoming malicious feelings, often in motivational or literary phrases).

Usage Notes:

'Злоба' directly corresponds to the noun form of 'spite' in English, making it ideal for formal writing or discussions about emotions, while 'назло' is more adverbial and fits informal speech for actions driven by pettiness. Be mindful of context: in Russian, spite often carries a stronger emotional weight than in English, so use it in scenarios involving deep resentment. For grammar, 'злоба' requires declension based on case (e.g., "из злобы" for genitive), and learners should choose between translations based on whether the emphasis is on the feeling ('злоба') or the action ('назло'). Avoid overusing in casual conversation to prevent sounding dramatic.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'злоба' with 'ненависть': Learners might use 'ненависть' interchangeably, but it's more intense. Error: "Я чувствую ненависть к нему за мелкую вещь" (implying hatred instead of spite). Correct: "Я чувствую злобу к нему за мелкую вещь" (spite for a petty reason). Explanation: 'Злоба' is less permanent and more situational.

• Misdeclining 'злоба': Forgetting to change it in genitive, e.g., saying "из злоба" instead of "из злобы". Error: "Он действовал из злоба." Correct: "Он действовал из злобы." Explanation: Always adjust for case to maintain grammatical accuracy in Russian sentences.

• Overusing 'назло' in formal contexts: Error: "Вопреки советам, он поступил назло." (Sounds too casual). Correct: "Вопреки советам, он поступил вопреки им." Explanation: Reserve 'назло' for informal settings to match the appropriate register.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'злоба' often appear in literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works), reflecting themes of internal conflict and moral struggle. Spite is sometimes linked to the concept of 'душевная боль' (soulful pain), emphasizing how everyday resentments can deepen into profound emotional issues, influenced by historical contexts like Soviet-era hardships.

Related Concepts:

• гнев (anger)
• ревность (jealousy)
• обида (offense or grudge)