Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'vindictive'

English Word: vindictive

Key Russian Translations:

• мстительный [mstʲɪˈtʲelʲnɨj] - [Formal, used in literary or serious contexts to describe vengeful behavior]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, media, and discussions of human behavior, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections and nuanced emotional vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мстительный: [mstʲɪˈtʲelʲnɨj]

Note on мстительный: The pronunciation features a soft 'т' sound (palatalized), which can be challenging for English speakers. Stress falls on the third syllable. Variations may occur in regional dialects, but this is the standard Moscow variant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Seeking revenge or holding a grudge, often in a spiteful manner

Translation(s) & Context:

• мстительный - Used in contexts involving personal relationships, literature, or psychological descriptions, such as describing a character who plots revenge.

Usage Examples:

• Его мстительный характер не позволял ему простить обиду. (His vindictive nature did not allow him to forgive the insult.)

  English Translation: His vindictive nature did not allow him to forgive the insult.

• Мстительная женщина решила отомстить за предательство. (The vindictive woman decided to take revenge for the betrayal.)

  English Translation: The vindictive woman decided to take revenge for the betrayal.

• В романе главный герой предстает как мстительный и хитрый персонаж. (In the novel, the main character is portrayed as a vindictive and cunning figure.)

  English Translation: In the novel, the main character is portrayed as a vindictive and cunning figure.

• Мстительный подход к конфликту только усугубит ситуацию. (A vindictive approach to the conflict will only worsen the situation.)

  English Translation: A vindictive approach to the conflict will only worsen the situation.

• Он был известен своим мстительным поведением в бизнесе. (He was known for his vindictive behavior in business.)

  English Translation: He was known for his vindictive behavior in business.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

мстительный is an adjective, which in Russian undergoes full declension based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard pattern for first-declension adjectives. Below is a table outlining its inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward once the basic adjective declension rules are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • злопамятный (zlopamjatnyj) - Similar, but emphasizes long-term grudge-holding; often used in everyday contexts.
  • ревнивый (revnivyj) - When vindictiveness stems from jealousy, with a slight emotional overlap.
• Antonyms:
  • прощающий (proshchajushchij) - Forgiving, directly opposite in meaning.
  • терпимый (terpimyj) - Tolerant, implying a lack of vengeful intent.

Related Phrases:

• Мстительный характер - (Vindictive nature; Refers to a personality trait involving revenge-seeking.)
• Мстительная месть - (Vindictive revenge; Used in narratives to describe calculated retaliation.)
• Быть мстительным в отношениях - (To be vindictive in relationships; Common in discussions of interpersonal conflicts.)

Usage Notes:

мстительный directly corresponds to the English "vindictive" in its connotation of deliberate revenge, but it is more commonly used in formal or literary Russian rather than casual conversation. When translating, ensure the context involves intent; for example, pair it with verbs like "отомстить" (to take revenge). Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender, number, and case. If multiple translations are available, choose мстительный for emotional or psychological contexts over злопамятный, which is better for persistent resentment.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using мстительный without proper declension, e.g., saying "Его мстительный" instead of "Его мстительный характер" in nominative case. Correct: Always decline based on the noun it modifies. Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with nouns, so learners often forget this, leading to grammatically incorrect sentences.

• Error: Confusing with злопамятный, thinking they are interchangeable. For example, using злопамятный in a context of active revenge. Correct: Use мстительный for actions involving revenge; злопамятный for holding grudges passively. Explanation: This mix-up can alter the meaning, as злопамятный implies memory of wrongs without immediate action.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, themes of vindictiveness often appear in literature, such as in Dostoevsky's works, where characters' vengeful actions reflect deeper moral and psychological struggles. This vocabulary ties into Russia's historical narratives of retribution, like in folklore tales, emphasizing that revenge can be seen as a form of justice or personal honor, though modern usage leans towards negative connotations.

Related Concepts:

• месть (mest')
• злоба (zloba)
• от revenge (otmshcheniye)