Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'uncomfortable'

English Word: uncomfortable

Key Russian Translations:

• неудобный [nʲɪˈudəbnɨj] - [Adjective, Formal and Informal, Singular and Plural]
• стеснительный [stʲɪsʲnʲɪˈtʲelʲnɨj] - [Adjective, Informal, Often used for social discomfort]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversations, literature, and media, but not as frequent as basic adjectives like "good" or "bad").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires understanding of adjective inflections and context. For 'неудобный', it's B1; for 'стеснительный', it's also B1 due to similar grammatical patterns.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неудобный: [nʲɪˈudəbnɨj]

Note on неудобный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("u-dOb-nyy"). Pay attention to the soft 'н' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

стеснительный: [stʲɪsʲnʲɪˈtʲelʲnɨj]

Note on стеснительный: The initial 'c' is pronounced as a soft 's' with a palatalized 't', and the word has a rolling rhythm; common in informal speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Physical Discomfort (e.g., uneasy or awkward physically)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неудобный - Used in contexts involving physical sensations, like uncomfortable furniture or clothing; common in everyday descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Эта стул неудобный, он давит на спину.

  This chair is uncomfortable; it's pressing on my back.

• В жару такая одежда становится неудобной.

  In the heat, such clothing becomes uncomfortable.

• Неудобный диван мешает расслабиться после работы.

  The uncomfortable sofa makes it hard to relax after work.

• Из-за неудобного положения я не могу спать.

  Due to the uncomfortable position, I can't sleep.

Social or Emotional Discomfort (e.g., awkward or uneasy in social situations)

Translation(s) & Context:

• стеснительный - Often used for shyness or embarrassment in social settings; more informal than неудобный.
• неудобный - Can apply to situations that feel awkward, like an uncomfortable conversation.

Usage Examples:

• Он стеснительный в компании незнакомых людей.

  He is uncomfortable (shy) around strangers.

• Эта тема неудобная для обсуждения на публике.

  This topic is uncomfortable to discuss in public.

• Стеснительный человек обычно избегает таких ситуаций.

  An uncomfortable (shy) person usually avoids such situations.

• Неудобный вопрос поставил всех в неловкое положение.

  The uncomfortable question put everyone in an awkward spot.

• В неудобной обстановке она чувствует себя стеснительной.

  In an uncomfortable environment, she feels shy.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'неудобный' and 'стеснительный' are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Russian adjectives follow regular patterns for most cases, but they must agree with the nouns they modify.

These adjectives follow the standard first-declension pattern, with no irregularities. They do not change in comparative forms unless modified (e.g., неудобнее for 'more uncomfortable').

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • некомфортный (nekomfortnyy) - Similar to 'uncomfortable', often used in modern contexts; slightly more formal.
  • неприятный (nepriyatnyy) - Overlaps with 'unpleasant', but can imply discomfort; used interchangeably in casual speech.
• Antonyms:
  • удобный (udobnyy)
  • комфортный (komfortnyy)

Related Phrases:

• неудобная ситуация - An uncomfortable situation; refers to awkward or tense circumstances in daily life.
• стеснительный человек - An uncomfortable (shy) person; describes someone who feels uneasy in social interactions.
• неудобный момент - An uncomfortable moment; used for embarrassing or ill-timed events.

Usage Notes:

'Неудобный' is the most direct translation for 'uncomfortable' in physical contexts, while 'стеснительный' is better for emotional or social unease. Always ensure the adjective agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies—e.g., use 'неудобная' for feminine nouns. In formal writing, 'неудобный' is preferred over 'стеснительный' for broader applicability. English speakers should note that Russian often pairs these words with verbs like 'чувствовать' (to feel) to express sensations, such as 'Я чувствую себя неудобно' (I feel uncomfortable).

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'неудобный' with 'неприятный': Learners might use 'неприятный' (unpleasant) when 'неудобный' is more accurate for physical discomfort. Incorrect: 'Эта еда неприятная' (meaning uncomfortable instead of tasting bad). Correct: 'Эта обувь неудобная' (This shoe is uncomfortable). Explanation: 'Неприятный' implies a negative emotional response, while 'неудобный' focuses on physical fit.

• Forgetting adjective agreement: For example, saying 'неудобный книга' instead of 'неудобная книга' (for a feminine noun like 'книга'). Correct: Always match the ending, e.g., 'неудобная' for feminine. Explanation: This is a common grammatical error for non-native speakers due to English's lack of agreement rules.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressing discomfort (e.g., via 'неудобный') is often tied to hospitality and social norms. Russians may prioritize avoiding 'неудобные' situations in social gatherings, reflecting a cultural emphasis on harmony and politeness, such as not discussing personal matters in public to prevent awkwardness.

Related Concepts:

• комфортный
• неловкий
• эмоциональный