Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tired'

English Word: tired

Key Russian Translations:

• Усталый [ʊˈstalɨj] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday speech for physical or mental fatigue]
• Уставший [ʊˈstavʂɨj] - [Formal, often in written contexts or for more profound exhaustion]

Frequency: High (This word and its translations are frequently used in daily Russian conversations, especially in contexts like work, travel, or daily routines.)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate; straightforward for basic learners but requires understanding of adjective inflections for accurate usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Усталый: [ʊˈstalɨj]

Note on Усталый: The stress falls on the second syllable ("stal"). Pay attention to the soft "l" sound, which is common in Russian and can be tricky for English speakers.

Уставший: [ʊˈstavʂɨj]

Note on Уставший: The "sh" sound (ʂ) is retroflex, similar to the "sh" in "shoe" but more pronounced; it's a key feature of Russian phonetics. Variations may occur in dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Feeling fatigued, weary, or exhausted (physical or mental state)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Усталый - Used in informal settings, such as casual conversations about daily life, to describe temporary tiredness (e.g., after exercise or a long day).
• Уставший - Applied in more formal or literary contexts, implying deeper exhaustion, often emotional or prolonged (e.g., in professional or narrative descriptions).

Usage Examples:

• Я усталый после пробежки в парке.

  I am tired after jogging in the park. (This shows Усталый in a simple, informal context describing physical fatigue.)

• Она уставшая от долгой работы и нуждается в отдыхе.

  She is tired from the long work and needs rest. (Here, Уставший is used for emotional exhaustion in a more formal sentence structure.)

• Мы все усталые после путешествия, но оно того стоило.

  We are all tired after the trip, but it was worth it. (Demonstrates Усталый in a plural, everyday context with a positive connotation.)

• Он чувствует себя уставшим из-за стресса на работе.

  He feels tired due to work stress. (Illustrates Уставший with an emotional layer, showing its use in psychological contexts.)

• Дети быстро становятся усталыми во время игр на улице.

  Children quickly become tired during outdoor play. (This example uses Усталыми in its inflected form to describe a group, highlighting grammatical variations.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Усталый" and "Уставший" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow regular patterns but can vary slightly. Below is a table outlining the key inflections for each:

These adjectives follow the standard first-declension pattern for hard-stem adjectives in Russian. They do not have irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward, but always agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Утомленный (utommlyonnyj) - Similar to Усталый but implies more mental weariness; often used in formal writing.
  • Измотанный (izmotannyj) - Conveys extreme exhaustion, especially after intense activity; slightly more intense than Уставший.
• Antonyms:
  • Свежий (svezhij) - Fresh, energetic; opposite in the context of feeling rested.
  • Отдохнувший (otdokhnuvshij) - Rested, refreshed; directly contrasts with prolonged tiredness.

Related Phrases:

• Устал как собака - Literally "tired as a dog"; used to express extreme fatigue in informal settings. (English equivalent: "Exhausted like a dog." This idiom emphasizes hyperbolic exhaustion.)
• Быть уставшим от жизни - "To be tired of life"; refers to emotional burnout or disillusionment. (Context: Often in philosophical or literary discussions.)
• Усталые глаза - "Tired eyes"; a common phrase for describing physical signs of fatigue. (Usage: In health or beauty contexts.)

Usage Notes:

Choose "Усталый" for everyday, informal situations where tiredness is temporary and physical, as it aligns closely with the casual English use of "tired." "Уставший" is better for formal or deeper contexts, such as literature or professional descriptions, where emotional aspects are involved. Always ensure the adjective agrees with the subject in gender, number, and case—e.g., use "Усталый" for masculine singular but "Усталые" for plural. In Russian culture, expressing tiredness can sometimes imply a need for rest, so it's common in social interactions to follow up with offers of help or breaks.

• Be cautious with context: "Усталый" might sound too casual in business emails, where "Уставший" is preferred.
• If the English "tired" means bored (e.g., "tired of something"), use alternatives like "Надоел" (bored) instead.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse inflections, such as using "Усталый" in the wrong case (e.g., saying "Я усталый от работы" when it should be "Я устал от работы" if not modifying a noun directly). Incorrect: "Он усталый человек" (wrong if not agreeing); Correct: "Он усталый человек" (actually correct here, but learners might forget to change it in other cases like genitive: "Усталого человека"). Another error is confusing it with "Сонный" (sleepy), which is not a direct synonym—e.g., saying "Я сонный" for "I am tired" when "tired" means exhausted, not just drowsy. Explanation: Always check the noun's attributes to ensure proper agreement, and differentiate based on whether the tiredness is fatigue-based or sleep-related.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions of tiredness like "Усталый" often tie into the value placed on endurance and hard work, stemming from historical contexts such as Soviet-era labor. Phrases like "Устал как собака" reflect a humorous, self-deprecating style in everyday speech, helping to build camaraderie in social settings.

Related Concepts:

• Сон (son) - Sleep
• Отдых (otdykh) - Rest
• Энергия (energiya) - Energy