Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'touchy'

English Word: touchy

Key Russian Translations:

• раздражительный [rəzdrəʐʲɪˈtʲelʲnɨj] - [Informal, Adjective]
• чувствительный [ʧʊvstvʲɪˈtʲelʲnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective, Used in emotional or psychological contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are commonly encountered in everyday Russian conversations, especially in interpersonal discussions, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of adjective forms and nuanced emotional vocabulary. For 'раздражительный', it's B1; for 'чувствительный', it could lean towards B2 due to its broader contextual applications.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

раздражительный: [rəzdrəʐʲɪˈtʲelʲnɨj]

чувствительный: [ʧʊvstvʲɪˈtʲelʲnɨj]

Note on раздражительный: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ('tel'), and the 'ж' sound is a soft palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Note on чувствительный: Emphasize the 'ч' as a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to 'ch' in 'loch'. Avoid over-stressing the initial syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Easily offended or irritated (Primary meaning of 'touchy')

Translation(s) & Context:

• раздражительный - Used in informal settings to describe someone who reacts strongly to minor provocations, such as in family or work disputes.
• чувствительный - Applied in more formal or psychological contexts, like discussing emotional sensitivity in relationships or therapy.

Usage Examples:

• Он очень раздражительный, когда у него плохое настроение.

  He is very touchy when he's in a bad mood.

• Не трогай эту тему, она для него слишком чувствительная.

  Don't touch that topic; it's too touchy for him.

• Её раздражительный характер часто приводит к конфликтам в офисе.

  Her touchy nature often leads to conflicts in the office.

• В этой культуре люди бывают более чувствительными к критике.

  In this culture, people can be more touchy about criticism.

• Он становится раздражительным после долгого рабочего дня.

  He gets touchy after a long workday.

Emotionally sensitive (Secondary, nuanced meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• чувствительный - Used when 'touchy' implies deep emotional vulnerability, such as in artistic or therapeutic discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Эта книга написана для чувствительных душ, которые легко трогаются историями.

  This book is written for touchy souls who are easily moved by stories.

• Он чувствительный человек, так что будь осторожен с шутками.

  He's a touchy person, so be careful with jokes.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'раздражительный' and 'чувствительный' are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for first-declension adjectives, with variations for hard and soft stems. These are regular adjectives, so they change endings accordingly.

Note: These forms are regular and do not have irregularities, making them straightforward for learners once basic adjective declension is understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вспыльчивый (more impulsive connotation)
  • нервный (emphasizes nervousness; used in stressful contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • спокойный (calm, opposite in temperament)
  • терпеливый (patient, especially in enduring irritation)

Related Phrases:

• Быть раздражительным - To be touchy; often used to describe temporary mood swings.
• Чувствительный к критике - Touchy about criticism; common in professional or personal feedback scenarios.
• Раздражительный характер - A touchy disposition; refers to inherent personality traits.

Usage Notes:

'Touchy' directly corresponds to 'раздражительный' in informal contexts and 'чувствительный' in more emotional or formal ones. Choose 'раздражительный' for everyday situations involving quick irritation, as it aligns closely with English usage. Be mindful of Russian adjective agreement: always match gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies. For example, avoid using it in formal writing without proper inflection. If the context involves deep sensitivity, 'чувствительный' is preferable, but it can sometimes imply positive traits like empathy, unlike the often negative 'touchy'.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'раздражительный' interchangeably with 'нервный' without context. Correct: 'Нервный' implies anxiety, while 'раздражительный' means easily angered. Example of error: Saying 'Он нервный' when you mean 'Он раздражительный'. Explanation: This confuses emotional states; use 'раздражительный' for irritability specifically.

• Error: Forgetting adjective declension, e.g., using 'раздражительный' with a feminine noun. Correct: Change to 'раздражительная'. Example of error: 'Она раздражительный человек' (wrong); Correct: 'Она раздражительная человек'. Explanation: Russian requires agreement to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, being 'touchy' or 'раздражительный' is often linked to the concept of 'душевность' (soulfulness), where emotional expressiveness is valued, but excessive irritability can be seen as a flaw in social interactions. Historically, this trait appears in Russian literature, like in Dostoevsky's characters, reflecting the introspective and passionate nature of Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• вспыльчивый
• эмоциональный
• терпеливый