Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sulk'

English Word: sulk

Key Russian Translations:

• дуться [ˈdut͡sə] - [Informal, Verb, Used in everyday conversations to express pouting or sulking]
• обида [ɐˈbʲidə] - [Formal, Noun, Often used for a state of resentment or grudge]

Frequency: Medium (Common in informal speech and literature, but not as frequent as basic emotion words like "гнев" (anger))

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; Involves understanding reflexive verbs for "дуться" and noun declensions for "обида". For "дуться", it's slightly easier for beginners; for "обида", intermediate learners may struggle with nuances.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

дуться: [ˈdut͡sə]

Note on дуться: This is a reflexive verb with stress on the first syllable; the "ts" sound is soft and palatalized, which can be tricky for English speakers. Avoid overemphasizing the ending.

обида: [ɐˈbʲidə]

Note on обида: The "bʲ" represents a palatalized "b" sound, common in Russian; pronounce it softly as in "beauty" but shorter. This word has a neutral stress on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

As a verb: To be in a sulk or pout, expressing displeasure silently.

Translation(s) & Context:

• дуться - Used in informal, everyday contexts, such as family disputes or casual arguments, to describe someone withdrawing emotionally.

Usage Examples:

• Он дуется после того, как его не взяли в игру.

  He is sulking after not being included in the game. (Shows sulking in a social context with children or peers.)

• Девушка дуется на своего друга из-за мелкой ссоры.

  The girl is sulking at her boyfriend over a minor quarrel. (Illustrates sulking in romantic relationships, common in informal Russian dialogue.)

• Ребёнок дуется, потому что ему не купили игрушку.

  The child is sulking because they didn't buy him a toy. (Demonstrates sulking in a familial, everyday scenario, highlighting emotional expression.)

• После критики, коллега дуется в углу.

  After the criticism, the colleague is sulking in the corner. (Shows sulking in a professional setting, though less common.)

As a noun: A state of sulking or resentment.

Translation(s) & Context:

• обида - Used in more formal or reflective contexts, such as describing lingering feelings of hurt in literature or serious conversations.

Usage Examples:

• Его обида длилась несколько дней после спора.

  His sulk lasted for several days after the argument. (Emphasizes prolonged resentment in interpersonal relationships.)

• Обида от несправедливости заставила её замолчать.

  The sulk from injustice made her go silent. (Illustrates sulking as a response to perceived unfairness, often in emotional or ethical contexts.)

• В этой обиде скрывается глубокая грусть.

  In this sulk, there is hidden deep sadness. (Shows sulking linked to broader emotions, common in Russian literary expressions.)

• Обида ребёнка быстро прошла после извинений.

  The child's sulk quickly faded after apologies. (Demonstrates how sulking can be temporary and resolved in family dynamics.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "дуться" (verb, reflexive): This is an imperfective verb that conjugates based on person, tense, and aspect. It follows the pattern of other reflexive verbs in Russian, ending in "-ся".

For "обида" (noun, feminine): This is a first-declension noun with regular declensions based on case and number. It does not have irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: обижаться (to take offense, similar but more about initial reaction), капризничать (to be capricious, often in childish contexts; differs by implying whimsy rather than deep sulking)
• Antonyms: веселиться (to be cheerful, directly opposite in emotional state), успокаиваться (to calm down, focusing on resolution)

Related Phrases:

• Дутиться как ребёнок - A phrase meaning "to sulk like a child," often used to describe immature behavior in adults. (Implies exaggeration for effect.)
• Накопить обиду - Meaning "to build up resentment," referring to letting sulking feelings accumulate over time. (Common in psychological or relational contexts.)
• Обида на весь мир - Translates to "sulk at the whole world," indicating a broad, dramatic form of resentment. (Used in literary or emotional descriptions.)

Usage Notes:

"Дутиться" is the most direct translation for the verb "to sulk" and is ideal for informal scenarios, but it's reflexive, so always include the "-ся" ending. "Обида" works better as a noun for sustained resentment, aligning with English "sulk" in its noun form. Choose based on context: use "дуться" for temporary, emotional withdrawal and "обида" for deeper, formal expressions. Be mindful of gender agreements in sentences, as Russian nouns like "обида" are feminine. In conversational Russian, these words often appear in emotional dialogues, but avoid them in professional settings where more neutral terms like "недовольство" (dissatisfaction) might be preferred.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Forgetting the reflexive "-ся" in "дуться," e.g., saying "дуть" instead, which means "to blow" (as in wind). Correct: Use "дуться" for sulking. Explanation: English learners often overlook reflexive particles in Russian verbs, leading to confusion with unrelated words.
• Mistake: Using "обида" interchangeably with "дуться" without considering context, e.g., "Он обида" instead of "Он дуется." Correct: "Обида" is a noun, so say "У него обида" (He has a sulk). Explanation: This errors stems from not distinguishing parts of speech, which can alter the sentence's meaning entirely.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, sulking or expressing "обида" is often seen as a passive way to communicate dissatisfaction, especially in family or close relationships, reflecting values of indirect emotional expression. This can stem from historical influences like Soviet-era restraint, where overt confrontation was discouraged, making words like "дуться" common in literature by authors like Chekhov to depict subtle interpersonal tensions.

Related Concepts:

• гнев (anger)
• грусть (sadness)
• каприз (caprice)