Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'waspish'

English Word: waspish

Key Russian Translations:

• раздражительный [rəzdrəʐɨˈtʲelʲnɨj] - [Formal; often used in descriptive contexts for temperament]
• колкий [ˈkolʲkʲɪj] - [Informal; typically for sharp or biting remarks]
• язвительный [ˈjazvʲɪtʲɪlʲnɨj] - [Neutral; emphasizes sarcasm or bitterness]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in everyday Russian conversations, literature, and media, but not as common as basic adjectives.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level can grasp the concept with practice, as it involves understanding nuances of personality descriptions, though full mastery requires familiarity with adjective declensions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

раздражительный: [rəzdrəʐɨˈtʲelʲnɨj]

Note on раздражительный: The stress falls on the fourth syllable; be cautious with the 'ж' sound, which is a voiced fricative similar to 'zh' in 'measure'. Regional variations may soften the vowels.

колкий: [ˈkolʲkʲɪj]

Note on колкий: The initial 'к' is aspirated; the palatalized 'лʲ' and 'кʲ' can be challenging for English speakers, sounding softer than in English equivalents.

язвительный: [ˈjazvʲɪtʲɪlʲnɨj]

Note on язвительный: Pronounce the 'я' as a soft 'ya'; the word has a rhythmic flow that aids in natural speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Quick to anger or irritable (Referring to a person's temperament that is easily provoked.)

Translation(s) & Context:

• раздражительный - Used in formal or psychological contexts to describe someone who reacts sharply to minor annoyances.
• язвительный - Applied in everyday situations where irritability borders on sarcasm.

Usage Examples:

• Его раздражительный характер часто создаёт проблемы в команде.

  His waspish nature often creates problems in the team.

• После бессонной ночи она стала ещё более раздражительной.

  After a sleepless night, she became even more waspish.

• Язвительный тон в его голосе указывал на скрытое раздражение.

  The waspish tone in his voice indicated hidden irritation.

• В стрессовых ситуациях он проявляет раздражительный нрав.

  In stressful situations, he shows a waspish temperament.

Meaning 2: Sharply critical or biting (Referring to speech or remarks that are acerbic and pointed.)

Translation(s) & Context:

• колкий - Common in informal settings for witty but harsh criticism.
• язвительный - Used in literary or conversational contexts for sarcastic, waspish comments.

Usage Examples:

• Её колкий ответ быстро утихомирил спорщиков.

  Her waspish reply quickly quelled the arguers.

• Колкий юмор в его речах часто обижает людей.

  The waspish humor in his speeches often offends people.

• Язвительный комментарий от коллеги оставил всех в замешательстве.

  The waspish comment from the colleague left everyone confused.

• В дискуссии он использовал колкий стиль, чтобы подчеркнуть слабые аргументы.

  In the discussion, he used a waspish style to highlight weak arguments.

• Её язвительный отзыв на книгу был полон острых замечаний.

  Her waspish review of the book was full of sharp remarks.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are adjectives, which follow standard Russian adjective declension patterns. They agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify. For example, "раздражительный" is a regular adjective and changes as follows:

For "колкий" and "язвительный", the patterns are similar and regular. These adjectives do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • нервный (nervnyy) - Similar to раздражительный, but emphasizes nervousness; used for high-strung individuals.
  • вспыльчивый (vspyhlchivyy) - Close to waspish in meaning, often for quick-tempered people.
  • острый (ostryy) - For колкий, implying sharpness in remarks.
• Antonyms:
  • спокойный (spokoynyy)
  • терпеливый (terpelivyy)
  • мягкий (myagkiy) - Especially for колкий, meaning soft or gentle in speech.

Related Phrases:

• раздражительный характер - A waspish personality; often used to describe inherent traits in psychology or literature.
• колкий ответ - A sharp, waspish reply; common in debates or arguments.
• язвительный юмор - Waspish humor; refers to sarcasm that can be entertaining but hurtful.

Usage Notes:

"Waspish" corresponds most closely to "раздражительный" when describing temperament and to "колкий" for critical speech. In Russian, choose based on context: use "раздражительный" in formal or emotional descriptions, and "колкий" in social interactions. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender. For example, it's more common in spoken Russian to soften these words in polite company to avoid offense.

• Avoid overusing in casual speech, as it can come across as judgmental.
• When translating, "waspish" isn't a direct one-to-one match; select the translation that best fits the nuance.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "раздражительный" with "нервный," thinking they mean the same thing. For instance, they might say "Он нервный" when "Он раздражительный" is more accurate for a waspish personality. Error: "Он нервный человек" (implying general nervousness). Correct: "Он раздражительный человек" (specifically irritable). This mistake arises from overlapping meanings, but "нервный" focuses on anxiety rather than quick anger.

• Another error is improper declension, e.g., using "колкий" in the wrong case: Error: "Я слышал колкий" (incorrect). Correct: "Я слышал колкий совет" with proper adjective agreement.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "раздражительный" often appear in literature (e.g., in works by Chekhov) to depict complex character traits, reflecting the value placed on emotional restraint. Being "waspish" might be seen as a flaw in social settings, where patience and composure are idealized, especially in professional environments.

Related Concepts:

• вспыльчивый
• нервный
• острый
• терпеливый