Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sullen'

English Word: sullen

Key Russian Translations:

• Угрюмый (/ʊˈɡrʲʊmɨj/) - [Formal; commonly used in literary or descriptive contexts]
• Хмурый (/ˈxmuːrɨj/) - [Informal; often in everyday conversations to describe temporary mood]
• Недовольный (/nʲɪdɐˈvolʲnɨj/) - [Neutral; used when emphasizing discontent, less focused on gloominess]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are encountered in standard Russian texts, literature, and conversations, but not as common as basic everyday vocabulary.

Difficulty: B1 - Intermediate level, as it involves understanding nuanced adjectives and their inflections; for 'Угрюмый' and 'Хмурый', learners may find the irregular stress patterns challenging, while 'Недовольный' is slightly easier due to its regular form.

Pronunciation (Russian):

Угрюмый: /ʊˈɡrʲʊmɨj/ - The stress is on the second syllable; note the palatalized 'r' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

Note on Угрюмый: This word has a soft, guttural quality; practice the 'г' as in "go" but softer. Variations in regional dialects may soften the vowel sounds.

Хмурый: /ˈxmuːrɨj/ - Stress on the first syllable; the 'х' is a voiceless fricative like in Scottish "loch".

Note on Хмурый: Avoid over-emphasizing the 'у'; it's a short vowel. This pronunciation is more straightforward for beginners.

Недовольный: /nʲɪdɐˈvolʲnɨj/ - Stress on the third syllable; features a palatalized 'н' at the start.

Note on Недовольный: The word is longer, so focus on syllable breaks to avoid blending sounds, which is common for English learners.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Bad-tempered, sulky, or gloomily silent

Translation(s) & Context:

• Угрюмый - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe a persistent, introspective gloominess, often in descriptions of personality or atmosphere.
• Хмурый - Informal settings, like casual conversations, to indicate a temporary bad mood, such as during an argument.
• Недовольный - Neutral contexts, emphasizing dissatisfaction rather than just mood, e.g., in professional or everyday complaints.

Usage Examples:

• Он был угрюмым после неудачного дня на работе. (He was sullen after a bad day at work.)

  Translation: He was sullen after a bad day at work. (This example shows 'угрюмым' in a nominative context, describing emotional state.)

• Девушка выглядела хмурой во время встречи с друзьями. (The girl looked sullen during the meeting with friends.)

  Translation: The girl looked sullen during the meeting with friends. (Illustrates 'хмурой' in an informal, social scenario.)

• Недовольный ответ от начальника сделал атмосферу угрюмой. (The boss's sullen response made the atmosphere gloomy.)

  Translation: The boss's sullen response made the atmosphere gloomy. (Demonstrates 'недовольный' combined with 'угрюмой' for layered meaning.)

• В угрюмом настроении он отказался от ужина. (In a sullen mood, he refused dinner.)

  Translation: In a sullen mood, he refused dinner. (Shows 'угрюмом' in an instrumental case, indicating cause.)

• Хмурый ребенок не хотел играть с другими. (The sullen child didn't want to play with others.)

  Translation: The sullen child didn't want to play with others. (Uses 'хмурый' to describe temporary behavior in children.)

Secondary Meaning: Gloomy or dismal in appearance

Translation(s) & Context:

• Угрюмый - In descriptive contexts, like weather or settings, to convey a dark, oppressive feel.
• Хмурый - Often for weather-related gloom, e.g., a cloudy sky.

Usage Examples:

• Угрюмые облака нависли над городом. (Sullen clouds hung over the city.)

  Translation: Sullen clouds hung over the city. (Applies 'угрюмые' to inanimate objects in plural form.)

• Хмурый пейзаж отпугивал туристов. (The sullen landscape deterred tourists.)

  Translation: The sullen landscape deterred tourists. (Uses 'хмурый' for visual descriptions.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. 'Угрюмый' and 'Хмурый' follow standard adjective patterns with some irregularities in stress, while 'Недовольный' is more regular.

Note: These adjectives do not change for feminine or neuter forms in a completely irregular way but follow general rules; for example, feminine singular of 'Угрюмый' is 'Угрюмая'.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Мрачный (more intense gloom), Тоскливый (melancholic), Грустный (sad) - 'Мрачный' is often used interchangeably but implies deeper darkness.
• Antonyms: Весёлый (cheerful), Радостный (joyful), Добродушный (good-natured) - 'Весёлый' is the most direct opposite in casual contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Угрюмый взгляд (sullen look) - A phrase used to describe a facial expression indicating displeasure or introspection.
• Хмурый день (sullen day) - Refers to a gloomy, overcast day, often metaphorically for bad weather or mood.
• Недовольный тон (sullen tone) - Describes a voice or manner that conveys dissatisfaction without explicit words.

Usage Notes:

'Sullen' corresponds most closely to 'Угрюмый' in formal English-Russian translations, but choose 'Хмурый' for everyday, informal speech to sound more natural. Be mindful of context: in Russian, these words often imply a visual or emotional state, so they pair well with descriptions of weather or behavior. Grammatically, always inflect for gender, number, and case—e.g., use 'Угрюмая' for feminine subjects. When multiple translations exist, select based on nuance: 'Недовольный' for active discontent, versus 'Угрюмый' for passive gloom.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'Угрюмый' interchangeably with 'Грустный' without considering intensity. Incorrect: Он был угрюмым, как грустный. Correct: Он был угрюмым, а не просто грустным. (Explanation: 'Угрюмый' implies sullen silence, while 'Грустный' means sad; this misuse can make the sentence less precise.)
• Error: Forgetting inflections, e.g., using 'Угрюмый' in all cases. Incorrect: Я видел угрюмый. Correct: Я видел угрюмого (if accusative). (Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with nouns, unlike English, leading to grammatical errors.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'Угрюмый' often evoke the melancholic undertones of Russian literature (e.g., in works by Dostoevsky), reflecting a national stereotype of introspection and emotional depth. This can stem from historical contexts like long winters, making such vocabulary tied to themes of resilience amid gloom.

Related Concepts:

• Меланхолия (melancholy)
• Тоска (yearning or gloom)
• Грусть (sadness)