Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'vengeful'

English Word: vengeful

Key Russian Translations:

• мстительный /mstʲitʲelʲnɨj/ - [Adjective, Formal/Informal]
• жадный до мести /ʐadnɨj dɐ mʲesʲtʲi/ - [Phrase, Informal, Used in expressive or literary contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word is commonly encountered in literature and discussions of emotions but not in everyday casual speech.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding nuanced emotional vocabulary; for 'мстительный', it aligns with B2, while 'жадный до мести' may be slightly easier at B1 due to its more straightforward structure.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мстительный: /mstʲitʲelʲnɨj/ (The 'щ' sound is soft and palatalized, similar to 'shch' in 'fresh cheese'; stress on the third syllable.)

жадный до мести: /ʐadnɨj dɐ mʲesʲtʲi/ (Emphasize the 'е' in 'мести' as a short 'e'; the phrase flows quickly in spoken Russian.)

Note on мстительный: Be cautious with the soft 'тʲ' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers; it softens the preceding consonant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Desiring or seeking revenge, often with a strong emotional drive.

Translation(s) & Context:

• мстительный - Used in contexts involving personal grudges, literary descriptions, or psychological analysis, such as in novels or discussions of character traits.
• жадный до мести - Applied in more vivid, informal settings, like storytelling or emotional outbursts, to emphasize an intense craving for retribution.

Usage Examples:

• Его мстительный характер не позволял ему забыть обиду.

  His vengeful nature did not allow him to forget the offense. (This example shows the adjective in a descriptive sentence, highlighting personality traits.)

• Мстительная героиня романа клянется отомстить за свою семью.

  The vengeful heroine of the novel swears to take revenge for her family. (Illustrates use in a narrative context, common in Russian literature.)

• Он был жаден до мести после предательства друга.

  He was greedy for revenge after his friend's betrayal. (Demonstrates the phrase in an informal, emotional scenario, emphasizing intensity.)

• В мстительном порыве она разрушила все, что ему было дорого.

  In a vengeful impulse, she destroyed everything that was dear to him. (Shows the word in a dynamic, action-oriented sentence with grammatical variations.)

• Жадный до мести человек редко находит покой.

  A person greedy for revenge rarely finds peace. (This example uses the phrase in a proverbial or reflective context, varying sentence structure.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'мстительный' is an adjective and follows standard Russian adjectival declension patterns, which are regular but require attention to gender, number, and case. It does not have irregular forms.

For 'жадный до мести', it is a phrase where 'жадный' (an adjective) inflects similarly: жадная, жадное, etc., but 'до мести' remains invariant as a prepositional phrase.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • злопамятный (Similar to 'vengeful' but emphasizes long-term resentment; often used in psychological contexts.)
  • мстительный (Direct synonym with slight overlap.)
• Antonyms:
  • прощающий (Forgiving; implies letting go of grudges.)
  • великодушный (Magnanimous; suggests generosity in overlooking offenses.)

Related Phrases:

• жажда мести - Thirst for revenge; used to describe an overwhelming desire for retribution in dramatic or literary settings.
• мстительный план - Vengeful plan; refers to a scheme driven by revenge, often in narratives or real-life conflicts.
• непрощенная обида, ведущая к мести - Unforgiven offense leading to revenge; a common idiomatic expression highlighting escalation of grudges.

Usage Notes:

'Мстительный' directly corresponds to 'vengeful' in English, capturing the essence of seeking retribution, but it's more commonly used in formal or literary Russian rather than casual conversation. When choosing between translations, opt for 'мстительный' in descriptive contexts and 'жадный до мести' for emphasis on intensity. Be mindful of grammatical agreement: as an adjective, it must match the noun's gender, number, and case. In spoken Russian, this word often appears in stories or debates about justice, so it's ideal for intermediate learners practicing emotional vocabulary.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'мстительный' with 'мститель' (avenger). Error: Saying "Он мститель" to mean "He is vengeful" instead of "He is an avenger." Correct: "Он мстительный." Explanation: 'Мститель' is a noun referring to a person who seeks revenge, while 'мстительный' is an adjective describing a trait.

• Overusing in casual speech. Error: Using 'мстительный' in everyday talk like "Я мстительный за это" (incorrect structure). Correct: "Я стал мстительным из-за этого." Explanation: Adjectives need proper syntactic integration; ensure they agree with the subject.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, themes of vengeance are prevalent in literature, such as in Fyodor Dostoevsky's works (e.g., 'The Brothers Karamazov'), where vengeful characters reflect deep moral and psychological conflicts. This vocabulary often ties into Russia's historical narratives of retribution and justice, emphasizing emotional depth over quick resolution.

Related Concepts:

• месть (revenge)
• обида (offense or grudge)
• злопамятность (resentfulness)