Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'triste'

English Word: triste

Key Russian Translations:

• грустный [ɡrʊstnɨj] - [Adjective, Informal, Used in everyday emotional descriptions]
• печальный [pʲɪˈt͡ɕalʲnɨj] - [Adjective, Formal, Often implies deeper melancholy or sorrow]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literature, conversations, and media, but not as ubiquitous as basic emotions like happiness).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions; for 'грустный', it's straightforward, but 'печальный' may vary slightly in nuance for advanced learners).

Pronunciation (Russian):

грустный: [ɡrʊstnɨj]

Note on грустный: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the 'у' sound, which is like the 'oo' in 'book'. Variations in fast speech may soften the 'г' to a softer fricative.

печальный: [pʲɪˈt͡ɕalʲnɨj]

Note on печальный: The 'ч' is a palatalized 'ch' sound; common in formal contexts, and pronunciation can vary regionally in Russia.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Sad or sorrowful emotion

Translation(s) & Context:

• грустный - Used in informal settings to describe temporary sadness, such as in personal stories or casual conversations (e.g., about a disappointing event).
• печальный - Applied in more formal or literary contexts to convey profound sadness, often with a sense of loss or reflection.

Usage Examples:

• Он выглядел грустным после просмотра фильма. (He looked sad after watching the movie.)

  English: He looked sad after watching the movie. (This example shows 'грустный' in a simple descriptive sentence.)

• Её глаза были печальными, когда она вспоминала прошлое. (Her eyes were sad as she recalled the past.)

  English: Her eyes were sad as she recalled the past. (Illustrates 'печальный' in a reflective, emotional context.)

• Грустный день закончился дождём. (The sad day ended with rain.)

  English: The sad day ended with rain. (Demonstrates 'грустный' with weather metaphors, common in Russian idiomatic expressions.)

• Печальный взгляд матери тронул всех в комнате. (The sad gaze of the mother touched everyone in the room.)

  English: The sad gaze of the mother touched everyone in the room. (Shows 'печальный' in a familial, emotional scenario.)

• Дети были грустными, но не плакали. (The children were sad but didn't cry.)

  English: The children were sad but didn't cry. (Highlights 'грустный' in a childlike, everyday context with contrasting emotions.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'грустный' and 'печальный' are adjectives, which in Russian undergo declension based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify. 'Грустный' is a regular adjective, while 'печальный' follows standard patterns with no irregularities.

Note: These adjectives do not change in short form but can in comparative forms, e.g., грустнее (sadder).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Огорчённый [aɡɐrˈt͡ɕonɨj] - Similar to 'грустный' but implies being upset; used in emotional contexts.
  • Меланхоличный [mʲɪlʌnˈxolʲɪnɨj] - Closer to 'печальный', with a connotation of thoughtful sadness.
• Antonyms:
  • Веселый [vʲɪˈsʲelɨj] - Happy or cheerful, directly opposite in everyday use.
  • Радостный [rʌˈdostnɨj] - Joyful, often used in positive emotional descriptions.

Related Phrases:

• Грустный взгляд - A sad look; used to describe facial expressions in storytelling.
• Печальный конец - A sad ending; common in narratives or films, implying a tragic conclusion.
• Грустные воспоминания - Sad memories; often in reflective or therapeutic contexts.

Usage Notes:

'Triste' in English (as a borrowed word from French or Spanish) directly corresponds to Russian adjectives like 'грустный' for everyday sadness and 'печальный' for more profound sorrow. Choose 'грустный' in informal speech or when describing temporary emotions, while 'печальный' suits formal writing or literature. Be mindful of gender and case agreement in sentences, as Russian requires adjectives to match nouns. For example, avoid using these without proper declension in complex sentences to prevent grammatical errors.

• In phone conversations or casual chats, 'грустный' is more natural.
• When translating idioms, 'печальный' might align better with English phrases like "heartfelt sorrow."

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'грустный' interchangeably with 'печальный' without considering context. Incorrect: Он был печальный от маленькой проблемы. (This overstates a minor issue.) Correct: Он был грустный от маленькой проблемы. (Better for light sadness.) Explanation: 'Печальный' implies deeper emotion, so reserve it for significant events.
• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement. Incorrect: Грустный дети (wrong; should agree with plural noun). Correct: Грустные дети. Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender, number, and case to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'грустный' and 'печальный' often appear in literature and music, reflecting the Slavic emphasis on emotional depth and melancholy (e.g., in works by Pushkin or Tchaikovsky). They can evoke a sense of 'toska'—a uniquely Russian feeling of spiritual anguish—helping non-native speakers understand the cultural nuance of expressing sadness beyond simple unhappiness.

Related Concepts:

• Тоска (a deep, spiritual longing or boredom)
• Горе (sorrow or grief)
• Меланхолия (melancholy, often linked to 'печальный')