Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'temperament'

English Word: temperament

Key Russian Translations:

• темперамент [tʲɪm.pʲɪ.rɐˈmʲɛnt] - [Formal, often used in psychological or literary contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions of personality, psychology, or literature, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; involves understanding abstract concepts and foreign loanwords, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of basic Russian grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

темперамент: [tʲɪm.pʲɪ.rɐˈmʲɛnt]

Note on темперамент: The stress falls on the third syllable (-ra-), which is a common feature in Russian loanwords. Be mindful of the soft 't' sound (palatalized) at the beginning.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A person's nature, especially as it permanently affects their behavior (e.g., innate personality traits or emotional disposition).

Translation(s) & Context:

• темперамент - Used in formal, psychological, or literary contexts to describe inherent character traits, such as emotional intensity or stability.

Usage Examples:

• Его темперамент всегда проявляется в спорах, делая его страстным защитником своих идей.

  His temperament always shows in arguments, making him a passionate defender of his ideas.

• В русской литературе часто описывается темперамент героев, влияющий на сюжет.

  In Russian literature, the temperament of characters is often described, influencing the plot.

• Её темперамент сочетает спокойствие и внезапные вспышки энтузиазма.

  Her temperament combines calmness with sudden bursts of enthusiasm.

• Темперамент ребёнка формируется под влиянием генетики и окружения.

  A child's temperament is shaped by genetics and environment.

• В психологии темперамент классифицируется по типам, таким как холерический или флегматический.

  In psychology, temperament is classified into types, such as choleric or phlegmatic.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Темперамент" is a masculine noun of the third declension group in Russian, borrowed from Latin/Germanic roots. It follows regular patterns for most cases but has no plural form in common usage as it refers to an abstract quality. Below is a table of its inflections for singular forms:

Note: This word does not typically inflect for plural in modern Russian, as it is an uncountable abstract noun. If used in a plural context (rare), it might borrow forms from similar nouns, but this is uncommon.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • характер (character; more general and everyday, focusing on overall personality)
  • натура (nature; emphasizes innate qualities, often with a poetic connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • апатия (apathy; implies a lack of emotional energy or drive)
  • спокойствие (calmness; suggests emotional stability without intensity)

Related Phrases:

• Горячий темперамент - Hot temperament; refers to a passionate or fiery personality, often in emotional contexts.
• Хладнокровный темперамент - Cool temperament; describes a calm and composed nature, contrasting with emotional extremes.
• Темперамент артиста - Artist's temperament; a phrase used to describe the creative and sometimes volatile nature of artists in Russian culture.

Usage Notes:

"Темперамент" directly corresponds to the English "temperament" in formal or psychological discussions, but English speakers should note its formal tone in Russian. It is rarely used in casual conversation; opt for "характер" in everyday contexts. Grammatically, it requires the correct case based on sentence structure (e.g., genitive after prepositions like "без" - without). When choosing between translations, use "темперамент" for scientific or literary accuracy, but be aware of its loanword status, which might make it feel less "native" in spoken Russian.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "без темперамент" instead of "без темперамента". Correct: без темперамента (genitive case). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case with prepositions; this mistake often occurs due to direct translation from English.

• Error: Treating it as a plural noun, e.g., "темпераменты" incorrectly. Correct: It is typically singular; use phrases like "разные типы темперамента" for varieties. Explanation: Learners might overgeneralize from English plurals, but in Russian, abstract qualities like this are often uncountable.

• Error: Mispronouncing the stress, e.g., stressing the wrong syllable. Correct: [tʲɪm.pʲɪ.rɐˈmʲɛnt] with stress on "ra". Explanation: Russian stress patterns can be unpredictable for loanwords, leading to comprehension issues.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "темперамент" often carries connotations from literature and psychology, influenced by figures like Pavlov and his temperament theories. It is frequently associated with artistic expression, as seen in works by Dostoevsky, where characters' temperaments drive dramatic plots. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on emotional depth and individualism in Slavic traditions.

Related Concepts:

• характер
• натура
• личность
• эмоциональность