Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'spiteful'

English Word: spiteful

Key Russian Translations:

• злобный /zlɐbˈnɨj/ - [Informal; commonly used in everyday contexts to describe malicious behavior]
• злопамятный /zlɐpɐˈmʲætnɨj/ - [Formal; emphasizes a tendency to hold grudges]
• мстительный /mʲstʲɪˈtʲelʲnɨj/ - [Informal; specifically implies a vengeful or retaliatory nature]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are encountered in literature, conversations, and media, but not as frequently as basic adjectives.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level can grasp the concept with practice, though understanding nuances may require exposure to contextual usage. For "злопамятный", it might lean towards B2 due to its more specific connotations.

Pronunciation (Russian):

злобный: /zlɐbˈnɨj/

злопамятный: /zlɐpɐˈmʲætnɨj/

мстительный: /mʲstʲɪˈtʲelʲnɨj/

Note on злобный: The stress falls on the second syllable; be careful with the "л" sound, which is soft in Russian pronunciation. Variations in regional accents may soften the vowels.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Describing someone who acts with malice or ill will intentionally.

Translation(s) & Context:

• злобный - Used in informal settings to describe petty or vindictive behavior, such as in personal conflicts.
• злопамятный - Applied in more formal or psychological contexts, like discussing long-term resentment.

Usage Examples:

• Его злобный комментарий обидел всех в комнате. (Yego zlobnyy kommentariy obidel vsekh v komnate.)

  His spiteful comment offended everyone in the room. (This example shows the word in a social context, highlighting emotional impact.)

• Она всегда была злопамятной и не прощала обид. (Ona vsegda byla zlopamyatnoy i ne proshchala obid.)

  She was always spiteful and never forgave slights. (Here, it demonstrates the word in a character description, emphasizing grudge-holding.)

• Мстительный сосед мстительно отомстил за мелкую ссору. (Mstitel'nyy sosed mstitel'no otomstil za melkuyu ssoru.)

  The spiteful neighbor retaliated spitefully over a minor quarrel. (This illustrates vengeful action in everyday scenarios.)

• Злобный ребенок дразнил других на площадке. (Zlobnyy rebenok drazil drugikh na ploshchadke.)

  The spiteful child teased the others on the playground. (Shows usage in describing childish malice.)

• Её злопамятный характер стал причиной семейных разногласий. (Yeyo zlopamyatnyy kharakter stal prichinoy semeynykh raznoglasiy.)

  Her spiteful nature became the cause of family disagreements. (This example places the word in a relational context.)

Meaning 2: Referring to actions or words that are deliberately harmful or bitter.

Translation(s) & Context:

• мстительный - Often used in narratives involving revenge or bitterness in response to perceived wrongs.
• злобный - Common in casual speech for minor acts of spite, such as sarcastic remarks.

Usage Examples:

• Его мстительный план был спровоцирован обидой. (Yego mstitel'nyy plan byl sprovootsirovan obidoy.)

  His spiteful plan was triggered by an insult. (This highlights premeditated malice in a story context.)

• Злобный тон её письма шокировал получателя. (Zlobnyy ton yeyo pis'ma shokiroval poluchatelya.)

  The spiteful tone of her letter shocked the recipient. (Demonstrates usage in written communication.)

• Мстительный герой романа отомстил за прошлое. (Mstitel'nyy geroy romana otomstil za proshloye.)

  The spiteful hero of the novel avenged his past. (Shows literary application.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are adjectives, which in Russian follow standard adjectival declension patterns. Most are regular, but they inflect based on gender, number, and case. For example, "злобный" (zlobnyy) changes as follows:

For "злопамятный" and "мстительный", they follow similar regular patterns. These adjectives do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • злой (zloi) - More general for "evil" or "angry"; differs by being less focused on spite.
  • недобрый (nedobryi) - Implies "unkind" with a subtle spiteful undertone, often in moral contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • добрый (dobryi) - Means "kind" or "good-natured", directly opposite in emotional valence.
  • миролюбивый (mirolyubivyy) - Suggests "peaceful" or "non-aggressive", contrasting spiteful tendencies.

Related Phrases:

• злобный взгляд (zlobnyy vzglyad) - A spiteful look; used to describe an expression of malice in interpersonal interactions.
• мстительный мститель (mstitel'nyy mstitel') - A spiteful avenger; common in stories or discussions of revenge.
• злопамятная обида (zlopamyatnaya obida) - A spiteful grudge; refers to lingering resentment that affects relationships.

Usage Notes:

"Spiteful" in English often aligns closely with "злобный" for everyday malice, but in Russian, choose "злопамятный" for contexts involving long-term grudges, as in psychological or literary descriptions. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender, number, and case. For informal speech, "злобный" is versatile, while "мстительный" suits narrative or dramatic scenarios. Learners should avoid overusing these in formal writing without context, as they carry strong negative connotations.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing "злобный" with "злой" and using it interchangeably. Incorrect: "Он злобный человек" when meaning simply angry. Correct: "Он злопамятный" for spiteful grudge-holding. Explanation: "Злобный" implies targeted malice, while "злой" is broader; this error can dilute the intended meaning.
• Mistake: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., using "злобный" with a feminine noun without changing to "злобная". Incorrect: "Злобный женщина". Correct: "Злобная женщина". Explanation: Russian grammar requires declension, which English learners often overlook, leading to grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "злопамятный" often appear in literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works), reflecting themes of deep-seated resentment tied to historical or personal hardships. This can stem from Russia's complex history of conflicts, where spiteful behavior is portrayed as a human flaw in character-driven stories, helping users appreciate the emotional depth in Russian narratives.

Related Concepts:

• ревнивый (revnivyy) - Jealous
• агрессивный (agressivnyy) - Aggressive
• мстительный характер (mstitel'nyy kharakter) - Vengeful nature