Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'timorous'

English Word: timorous

Key Russian Translations:

• Боязливый [bə.jɪzˈlʲi.vɨj] - [Formal, Adjective, Used in descriptive contexts for timid behavior]
• Трусливый [trʊˈslʲi.vɨj] - [Informal, Adjective, Often implies cowardice in everyday speech]

Frequency: Medium (These words appear in literature and conversation but are not as common as basic adjectives like "большой")

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for both translations, as they involve understanding adjective inflections and nuanced emotional vocabulary

Pronunciation (Russian):

Боязливый: [bə.jɪzˈlʲi.vɨj]

Note on Боязливый: The stress falls on the third syllable ("zli"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to Russian's vowel reductions. Pronounce the "ы" as a centralized vowel, similar to a softened "i".

Трусливый: [trʊˈslʲi.vɨj]

Note on Трусливый: Stress on the second syllable ("sl"), with a soft "л" sound; avoid over-emphasizing the "y" at the end, which is subtle in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Fearful or timid (Describes someone who is easily frightened or lacks courage)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Боязливый - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe inherent timidity, such as in character descriptions in novels.
• Трусливый - Applied in informal settings, like everyday conversations, to denote cowardly actions or behavior.

Usage Examples:

• Он был очень боязливым ребенком и боялся даже маленьких собак.

  He was a very timorous child and was afraid even of small dogs. (This example shows the adjective in a familial context, describing personality.)

• Трусливый солдат отказался идти в бой, что разочаровало его командира.

  The timorous soldier refused to go into battle, disappointing his commander. (Illustrates use in a military or action-oriented scenario.)

• В старом фильме главная героиня изображена как боязливая женщина, которая преодолевает свои страхи.

  In the old film, the main heroine is portrayed as a timorous woman who overcomes her fears. (Demonstrates in a narrative or cinematic context.)

• Его трусливый характер проявился, когда он спрятался во время шторма.

  His timorous nature showed when he hid during the storm. (Shows variation in grammatical structure, with the adjective modifying a noun.)

• Боязливые люди часто избегают приключений, предпочитая спокойную жизнь.

  Timorous people often avoid adventures, preferring a quiet life. (Highlights plural use and general statements.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Боязливый" and "Трусливый" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard adjectival declension patterns (which are regular for these words).

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular inflections, making them straightforward for learners once the basic patterns are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Робкий (robkiy) - Similar to "боязливый", but often implies shyness rather than fear; used in more neutral contexts.
  • Застенчивый (zastenchivyy) - Conveys timidity with a connotation of modesty, less negative than "трусливый".
• Antonyms:
  • Смелый (smelyy) - Directly opposite, meaning brave or courageous.
  • Отважный (otvazhnyy) - Implies boldness in the face of danger.

Related Phrases:

• Боязливый как заяц - Timid as a hare (A common idiom used to exaggerate someone's fearfulness in storytelling or jokes.)
• Трусливый поступок - A timorous act (Refers to a cowardly action, often in moral or ethical discussions.)
• Преодолеть боязливость - To overcome timidity (A phrase for personal development contexts, like self-help.)

Usage Notes:

"Timorous" in English is somewhat formal and literary, and its Russian equivalents like "боязливый" mirror this by being more common in written or elevated speech. Choose "боязливый" for neutral or positive descriptions of innate timidity, while "трусливый" is better for contexts implying criticism or weakness. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender, number, and case. For example, in formal writing, pair it with subjects like "человек" (person). If the context involves everyday conversation, "трусливый" might feel more natural, but avoid it in polite settings to prevent offense.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "боязливый" with "трусливый": English learners often use "трусливый" interchangeably, but it carries a stronger negative connotation. Incorrect: "Он трусливый, но добрый" (implying he's cowardly in a harsh way). Correct: "Он боязливый, но добрый" to soften the description. Explanation: "Трусливый" suggests moral cowardice, while "боязливый" is more about natural fear.

• Forgetting inflections: Learners might say "боязливый женщина" instead of "боязливая женщина". Incorrect: "боязливый женщина". Correct: "боязливая женщина". Explanation: Adjectives must agree in gender; here, "женщина" is feminine, so the adjective changes to feminine form.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "боязливый" often appear in literature, such as in the works of Tolstoy or Chekhov, where characters' timidity reflects deeper societal or personal struggles. This reflects a cultural emphasis on resilience and bravery, as seen in folk tales where the "timorous" hero must overcome fears, highlighting themes of personal growth in Russian storytelling traditions.

Related Concepts:

• Страх (strakh) - Fear
• Трус (trus) - Coward
• Смелость (smelost') - Courage