Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'treacherous'

English Word: treacherous

Key Russian Translations:

• коварный /kɐˈvar.nɨj/ - [Adjective, Formal, used for deceptive or hazardous situations]
• предательский /prʲɪ.dɐˈtʲɛlʲ.skʲij/ - [Adjective, Informal, often in contexts of betrayal or untrustworthiness]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, news, and descriptive language, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it requires understanding nuanced connotations; for 'коварный', it may be B1 if familiar with basic adjectives, while 'предательский' could lean towards B2 due to emotional context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

коварный: /kɐˈvar.nɨj/

Note on коварный: The stress falls on the second syllable ('var'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to Russian's vowel reduction in unstressed positions.

предательский: /prʲɪ.dɐˈtʲɛlʲ.skʲij/

Note on предательский: Pay attention to the soft consonants (e.g., 'тʲ' and 'лʲ'), which affect the pronunciation fluidity; this word often has a sharper, more emphatic delivery in spoken Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Dangerous or hazardous due to being unpredictable or unreliable (e.g., weather, terrain)

Translation(s) & Context:

• коварный - Used in formal descriptions of natural elements or situations that are deceptively dangerous, such as stormy weather or icy roads.

Usage Examples:

• Коварный лёд на реке может сломать ногу неосторожному путнику.

  The treacherous ice on the river can break the leg of an unwary traveler.

• В горах коварный туман часто скрывает опасные обрывы.

  In the mountains, the treacherous fog often hides dangerous cliffs.

• Коварный ветер изменил направление, заставив лодку перевернуться.

  The treacherous wind changed direction, causing the boat to capsize.

• Эта коварная тропа полна неожиданных ям и скользких камней.

  This treacherous path is full of unexpected holes and slippery stones.

Meaning 2: Deceitful or untrustworthy, especially in human behavior (e.g., betrayal or duplicity)

Translation(s) & Context:

• предательский - Applied in contexts involving human treachery, such as in politics, relationships, or stories, emphasizing betrayal.

Usage Examples:

• Его предательский поступок разрушил многолетнюю дружбу.

  His treacherous act destroyed a long-standing friendship.

• В романе главный герой сталкивается с предательским союзником.

  In the novel, the main character faces a treacherous ally.

• Предательский замысел был раскрыт до того, как он нанёс вред.

  The treacherous plot was uncovered before it could do harm.

• Её предательский взгляд выдал скрытые намерения.

  Her treacherous glance revealed her hidden intentions.

• Предательский друг предал секреты за деньги.

  The treacherous friend betrayed secrets for money.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'коварный' and 'предательский' are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect for gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow standard patterns for first-declension adjectives, with some irregularities in spelling due to soft consonants.

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular inflections but follow the standard pattern. They remain unchanged in short form if used predicatively (e.g., "он коварен" - he is treacherous).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • опасный (opasnyy) - More general for 'dangerous', but lacks the deceptive nuance.
  • коварственный (kovarstvennyy) - Similar to 'коварный', often used interchangeably in literary contexts.
  • обманчивый (obmanchivyy) - Emphasizes deceit, suitable for unpredictable situations.
• Antonyms:
  • безопасный (bezopasnyy) - Safe and reliable.
  • верный (vernyy) - Faithful or trustworthy, especially for human contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Коварный план (kovarnyy plan) - A treacherous plan; refers to a deceitful scheme in strategic or criminal contexts.
• Предательский удар (predatelskiy udar) - A treacherous blow; used metaphorically for a betrayal in fights or relationships.
• Коварные пути (kovarnye puti) - Treacherous paths; describes dangerous routes or life's unpredictable journeys.
• Предательский союз (predatelskiy soyuz) - A treacherous alliance; common in historical or political discussions.

Usage Notes:

'Коварный' is the most precise translation for 'treacherous' in contexts of unpredictability, such as nature or abstract dangers, and is preferred in formal writing. 'Предательский' aligns better with interpersonal betrayal, making it ideal for human-related scenarios. English speakers should note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify, which can affect sentence structure. For example, use 'коварный' for masculine nouns and 'коварная' for feminine ones. When choosing between translations, consider the context: opt for 'коварный' in neutral descriptions and 'предательский' in emotional or accusatory ones to ensure natural expression.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'коварный' with 'опасный': Learners might overuse 'опасный' (dangerous) for all 'treacherous' situations, but it doesn't convey deception. Incorrect: "Опасный друг предал меня" (as if saying "Dangerous friend betrayed me"). Correct: "Предательский друг предал меня" – This highlights the betrayal aspect.

• Forgetting adjective agreement: English speakers often forget to inflect for case, e.g., saying "коварный река" instead of "коварная река" (for a feminine noun like 'river'). Explanation: Always match the adjective to the noun's gender and case for grammatical accuracy.

• Overgeneralizing pronunciation: Mispronouncing the soft consonants in 'предательский', which might sound like 'predatelsky' without the palatalization, leading to misunderstandings in spoken Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'коварный' often appear in literature and folklore, such as in fairy tales by Pushkin or folk stories, where treacherous elements (e.g., forests or characters) symbolize life's uncertainties and moral tests. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on resilience against deception, rooted in Russia's historical experiences with betrayal in politics and warfare.

Related Concepts:

• обманчивый (obmanchivyy) - Deceptive
• изменчивый (izmennchivyy) - Unpredictable
• вероломный (verolomnyy) - Perfidious