Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'unwelcome'

English Word: unwelcome

Key Russian Translations:

• нежеланный /nʲɪʐɨˈlannɨj/ - [Formal, Adjective]
• неприятный /nʲɪprʲɪˈjatnɨj/ - [Informal, Adjective; Used for general unpleasantness]

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

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of adjective declensions and nuances in formal contexts. For "нежеланный", it's B1; for "неприятный", it's A2 due to its broader usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

нежеланный: /nʲɪʐɨˈlannɨj/ (Note the soft 'н' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers; it's pronounced with a palatalized 'n' as in "news".)

неприятный: /nʲɪprʲɪˈjatnɨj/ (Emphasize the stress on the third syllable; common variation in fast speech may soften the 'р'.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Not wanted or welcome (Referring to something or someone that is undesired in a social or personal context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• нежеланный - Typically used in formal or literary contexts to describe an unwelcome person or situation, such as an uninvited guest.
• неприятный - More informal, often for everyday situations where something is unwelcome due to its unpleasant nature, like bad weather.

Usage Examples:

• Он был нежеланным гостем на семейном ужине, так как никто не ожидал его прихода.

  He was an unwelcome guest at the family dinner, as no one expected his arrival.

• Её нежеланное присутствие испортило атмосферу праздника.

  Her unwelcome presence ruined the atmosphere of the celebration.

• В этом районе нежеланные посетители часто вызывают беспокойство у жителей.

  In this neighborhood, unwelcome visitors often cause concern among residents.

• Для неприятного сюрприза, такого как дождь, лучше подготовиться заранее.

  For an unwelcome surprise like rain, it's better to prepare in advance.

Meaning 2: Unpleasant or disagreeable (Broader sense, emphasizing discomfort or annoyance)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неприятный - Common in informal speech for describing something unwelcome due to its negative impact, such as an unpleasant task.

Usage Examples:

• Эта неприятная новость ошарашила всех в офисе.

  This unwelcome news shocked everyone in the office.

• Неприятный запах в комнате сделал пребывание невыносимым.

  The unwelcome smell in the room made the stay unbearable.

• Его неприветливый тон был нежеланным в дружеской беседе.

  His unwelcome tone was unpleasant during the friendly conversation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "нежеланный" and "неприятный" are adjectives in Russian, which means they undergo declension based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for most cases, but "нежеланный" is less common and follows regular adjective rules.

Note: These are regular short-form adjectives. They do not change in short form (e.g., "нежеланен" for masculine nominative), but in modern usage, full forms are more common.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • неприветливый (neprivetlivyy) - Similar but focuses on unfriendliness; often used interchangeably in social contexts.
  • нежелательный (nezhelatel'nyy) - Slightly more formal, emphasizing undesirability in decisions or plans.
• Antonyms:
  • желанный (zhelannyy) - Desired or welcome.
  • приятный (priyatnyy) - Pleasant or agreeable.

Related Phrases:

• нежеланный гость (nezhelannyy gost') - Unwelcome guest; Used in social situations to describe an intruder or uninvited person.
• неприятный сюрприз (nepriyatnyy syurpriz) - Unwelcome surprise; Refers to unexpected negative events.
• стать нежеланным (stat' nezhelannym) - To become unwelcome; Often in contexts of changing relationships or situations.

Usage Notes:

• "Нежеланный" is a more precise match for "unwelcome" in formal or literary English, as it conveys a sense of being unwanted, while "неприятный" is better for general unpleasantness. Choose based on context: use "нежеланный" for people or events, and "неприятный" for sensations.
• These adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key grammatical rule in Russian.
• In informal speech, "неприятный" is more versatile and appears in everyday conversations, whereas "нежеланный" is rarer and often limited to written or formal Russian.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "нежеланный" with "неприятный" and use the latter incorrectly in formal contexts. For example: Incorrect: "Он неприятный гость" (implies the guest is unpleasant in personality); Correct: "Он нежеланный гость" (means the guest is unwelcome due to being uninvited). Explanation: "Нежеланный" specifically denotes lack of desire, not inherent unpleasantness.
• Another error is forgetting declension: Incorrect: "Я видел нежеланный человек" (wrong case); Correct: "Я видел нежеланного человека" (genitive case required). This stems from not applying Russian case rules consistently.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of an "unwelcome guest" (нежеланный гость) often ties into traditional hospitality norms, where uninvited visitors can disrupt social harmony. This reflects historical values of community and preparation, as seen in Russian literature like Chekhov's stories, where such themes highlight interpersonal dynamics.

Related Concepts:

• неприветливый (unfriendly)
• нежелательный (undesirable)
• отталкивающий (repulsive)