Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'stolid'

English Word: stolid

Key Russian Translations:

• невозмутимый /nʲɪvɐzmuˈtʲimɨj/ - [Formal, Adjective; Used in descriptions of emotional restraint]
• хладнокровный /xlɐdnɐˈkrovnɨj/ - [Informal, Adjective; Used in everyday contexts for cool-headedness]
• флегматичный /flʲɛɡmɐˈtʲitɕnɨj/ - [Formal, Adjective; Used in psychological or literary contexts, implying a temperament]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in literature, psychology, and formal discussions but not in casual everyday speech.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of Russian adjectives and emotional nuances. For 'невозмутимый', it's B2; for 'хладнокровный', it's also B2 due to similar complexity.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

невозмутимый: /nʲɪvɐzmuˈtʲimɨj/

Note on невозмутимый: The stress falls on the third syllable ("mu"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to Russian's mobile stress patterns. Pronounce with a soft 'н' sound.

хладнокровный: /xlɐdnɐˈkrovnɨj/

Note on хладнокровный: The initial 'х' is a guttural sound like the Scottish 'ch' in "loch"; avoid softening it.

флегматичный: /flʲɛɡmɐˈtʲitɕnɨj/

Note on флегматичный: The 'ф' is pronounced as in English "phone," but the word has a palatalized 'тʲ' which adds a soft, y-like quality.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Not showing much emotion, especially in situations where emotion is expected (e.g., impassive or unemotional)

Translation(s) & Context:

• невозмутимый - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe someone who remains calm under pressure, such as in professional settings or historical narratives.
• хладнокровный - Applied in informal or action-oriented scenarios, like describing a detective or athlete who stays composed.
• флегматичный - Often used in psychological or character analysis, implying a inherent personality trait rather than a temporary state.

Usage Examples:

• Он остался невозмутимым перед лицом опасности, несмотря на хаос вокруг.

  He remained stolid in the face of danger, despite the chaos around him.

• Её хладнокровный подход к проблемам всегда удивлял коллег.

  Her stolid approach to problems always surprised her colleagues.

• В романе главный герой изображён как флегматичный человек, не поддающийся эмоциям.

  In the novel, the main character is depicted as a stolid person who doesn't yield to emotions.

• Несмотря на новости, он сохранил невозмутимый вид и продолжил работу.

  Despite the news, he maintained a stolid appearance and continued working.

• Её хладнокровность в споре сделала её лидером группы.

  Her stolid demeanor in the argument made her the group's leader.

Meaning 2: Lacking sensitivity or responsiveness (e.g., dull or unresponsive)

Translation(s) & Context:

• флегматичный - Used when describing a lack of emotional responsiveness, often in a negative or critical context.
• невозмутимый - Less common here, but applicable in formal critiques.

Usage Examples:

• Его флегматичный характер иногда мешал ему в личных отношениях.

  His stolid character sometimes hindered him in personal relationships.

• Она сочла его невозмутимым ответ слишком холодным для дружеского разговора.

  She found his stolid response too cold for a friendly conversation.

• В этой культуре флегматичность ценится как сила.

  In this culture, stolidness is valued as a strength.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations ('невозмутимый', 'хладнокровный', 'флегматичный') are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for hard-stem adjectives.

These adjectives follow regular patterns, but watch for palatalization in certain cases. They do not have irregular inflections.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • спокойный (more neutral, implying peacefulness; often used in everyday contexts)
  • терпеливый (patient; emphasizes endurance over emotional suppression)
• Antonyms:
  • эмоциональный (emotional; directly opposite in expressing feelings)
  • импульсивный (impulsive; highlights quick reactions)

Related Phrases:

• невозмутимый характер - A stolid character; Refers to a personality trait of emotional stability.
• хладнокровно действовать - To act stolidly; Used for maintaining composure in action or decision-making.
• флегматичный temperament - Stolid temperament; Often in psychological discussions to describe innate traits.

Usage Notes:

'Stolid' translates most accurately to 'невозмутимый' in formal contexts, as it captures the idea of impassivity without negative connotation. 'Хладнокровный' is better for situations involving quick thinking under pressure, like in thrillers or sports. Choose based on context: use 'флегматичный' for personality descriptions influenced by temperament theories. Be mindful of Russian's adjective agreement—always match gender, number, and case. In spoken Russian, these words can sound formal, so pair with simpler synonyms in casual speech.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'невозмутимый' interchangeably with 'спокойный' without considering nuance. Correct: 'невозмутимый' implies suppression of emotion, while 'спокойный' just means calm. Example: Incorrect - "Он спокойный" for a stolid person; Correct - "Он невозмутимый".
• Mistake: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., saying "невозмутимый женщина" instead of "невозмутимая женщина". Correct: Always inflect to agree with the noun.
• Mistake: Overusing in informal speech; it can sound overly literary. Correct: Opt for 'спокойный' in casual contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'невозмутимый' often evoke stoic heroes from literature (e.g., in Tolstoy's works), reflecting a value placed on endurance and emotional restraint during historical hardships like wars or revolutions. This contrasts with more expressive Western ideals, helping English speakers understand Russia's cultural emphasis on inner strength.

Related Concepts:

• терпеливый (patient)
• стремительный (impetuous)
• эмоциональность (emotionality)