Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'weary'

English Word: weary

Key Russian Translations:

• усталый /ʊˈstalɨj/ - [Informal, commonly used in everyday conversation]
• утомленный /ʊtɐmˈlʲenːɨj/ - [Formal, often in written or literary contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered regularly in Russian media, literature, and daily speech, but not as frequently as basic adjectives like "больной" for sick.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can grasp the concept with practice, as it involves basic adjective forms and contexts, though nuances in formality may require B2 for full mastery.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

усталый: /ʊˈstalɨj/ (The stress is on the second syllable; note the soft "л" sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalization.)

Note on усталый: This word has a rolled "р" in some regional accents, but standard pronunciation avoids it. Pay attention to the vowel reduction in unstressed syllables.

утомленный: /ʊtɐmˈlʲenːɨj/ (Stress on the third syllable; the "т" is unaspirated, and the "лʲ" is palatalized.)

Note on утомленный: This is a longer word, so practice syllable breaks to avoid blending sounds, which is common for beginners.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Physically or mentally tired, often after exertion or prolonged activity.

Translation(s) & Context:

• усталый - Used in informal settings to describe temporary fatigue, such as after work or exercise.
• утомленный - Applied in formal or descriptive contexts, like in literature, to convey deeper exhaustion.

Usage Examples:

• Я усталый после долгого дня на работе. (Ya ustalyy posle dolgogo dnya na rabote.)

  I am weary after a long day at work. (This example shows the adjective in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting everyday physical tiredness.)

• Она выглядела утомленной после путешествия. (Ona vyglyadela utomlennoj posle puteshestviya.)

  She looked weary after the trip. (Here, it demonstrates the word in a descriptive context, emphasizing emotional or physical drain in narrative style.)

• Дети были усталыми от игр на улице. (Deti byli ustalymi ot igr na ulitse.)

  The children were weary from playing outside. (This illustrates plural agreement and casual usage in family or daily life scenarios.)

• Он чувствовал себя утомленным рутиной. (On chuvstvoval sebya utomlennym rutinoj.)

  He felt weary of the routine. (This shows a more abstract, mental fatigue, often in introspective or formal writing.)

Meaning 2: Bored or impatient due to repetition or monotony.

Translation(s) & Context:

• усталый - Informally used to express boredom in spoken language.
• утомленный - In formal contexts, to describe weariness from repetitive tasks.

Usage Examples:

• Я усталый от этих повторяющихся встреч. (Ya ustalyy ot etikh povtoryayushchikhsya vstrech.)

  I am weary of these repeating meetings. (This example conveys impatience in a professional setting, using the adjective attributively.)

• Публика была утомленной однообразным представлением. (Publika byla utomlennoj odnoobraznym predstavleniem.)

  The audience was weary of the monotonous performance. (Illustrates use in cultural or entertainment contexts, with agreement in gender and number.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow the standard first-declension adjective pattern, which is regular but requires attention to endings.

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners, but always agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • уставший (ustavshiy) - Similar to усталый, but implies more prolonged fatigue; often interchangeable in informal speech.
  • измученный (izmuchennyy) - Conveys extreme exhaustion, with a nuance of suffering.
• Antonyms:
  • свежий (svezhiy) - Fresh or energetic.
  • бодрый (bodryy) - Energetic or lively.

Related Phrases:

• Усталый, как собака - (Ustalyy, kak sobaka) Meaning: As weary as a dog; used to emphasize extreme tiredness in informal contexts.
• Утомленный жизнью - (Utomlennyy zhiznyu) Meaning: Weary of life; a phrase often found in literature to describe existential fatigue.
• Быть усталым до предела - (Byt' ustalym do predela) Meaning: To be weary to the limit; indicates complete exhaustion in everyday conversation.

Usage Notes:

The English word "weary" corresponds closely to Russian adjectives like усталый for everyday, informal expressions of tiredness, and утомленный for more formal or literary uses. Be mindful of context: усталый is ideal for spoken language, while утомленный suits written descriptions. Grammatically, these adjectives must agree with the subject in gender, number, and case, which differs from English. When choosing between translations, opt for усталый in casual scenarios and утомленный when emphasizing depth or formality. Avoid direct word-for-word translation; instead, consider the emotional weight in Russian communication.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using the adjective without proper agreement, e.g., saying "Я усталый" for a feminine subject like "Она усталый" (incorrect as it should be "Она усталая").
  Correct: Ensure gender agreement, e.g., "Она усталая". Explanation: Russian adjectives inflect based on the noun, unlike English, so learners must check the subject's gender.
• Mistake: Confusing with verbs, e.g., using "устать" (to get tired) instead of the adjective in a static description.
  Correct: Use the adjective form, e.g., "Я усталый" for "I am weary", not "Я устаю". Explanation: "Устать" is a verb implying the process, while "усталый" describes the state.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions of weariness like "усталый" often reflect the historical context of endurance in daily life, such as in literature by authors like Chekhov, where characters frequently describe emotional exhaustion as a response to societal pressures. This can add a layer of depth, symbolizing resilience or melancholy in Russian art and conversation.

Related Concepts:

• силы (sily) - Forces or energy.
• энергия (energiya) - Energy.
• усталость (ustalost') - Fatigue or tiredness as a noun.