Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'absurdity'

English Word: absurdity

Key Russian Translations:

• Абсурд (/ɐbˈsurd/) - [Formal, used in philosophical or literary contexts]
• Нелепость (/nʲɪˈlʲepəsʲtʲ/) - [Informal, everyday speech for something ridiculous]

Frequency: Medium (Common in intellectual discussions, literature, and media, but less frequent in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and nominal inflections, though 'Абсурд' is a loanword and easier for learners familiar with English cognates)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Абсурд: /ɐbˈsurd/

Нелепость: /nʲɪˈlʲepəsʲtʲ/

Note on Абсурд: The stress falls on the second syllable; be careful with the 'р' sound, which is a trilled 'r' in Russian, potentially challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The quality of being illogical or ridiculous

Translation(s) & Context:

• Абсурд - Used in formal, philosophical, or literary contexts to describe inherent illogicality, e.g., in existential discussions.
• Нелепость - Applied in everyday situations for something comically absurd or nonsensical, often with a humorous tone.

Usage Examples:

• Эта ситуация — чистый абсурд, но мы вынуждены с ней справляться.

  This situation is pure absurdity, but we're forced to deal with it.

• В комедии часто используется нелепость, чтобы вызвать смех у зрителей.

  Absurdity is often used in comedy to make the audience laugh.

• Абсурд современной политики иногда кажется нереальным.

  The absurdity of modern politics sometimes seems unreal.

• Его объяснение было полной нелепостью, и никто не поверил.

  His explanation was complete absurdity, and no one believed it.

• Абсурд ситуации заключался в том, что никто не мог найти логическое решение.

  The absurdity of the situation was that no one could find a logical solution.

Something that is absurd or contrary to reason

Translation(s) & Context:

• Абсурд - In contexts involving contradictions or paradoxes, often in academic or artistic settings.
• Нелепость - For more trivial or everyday examples of irrationality.

Usage Examples:

• Абсурд этой идеи очевиден: как можно жить без еды?

  The absurdity of this idea is obvious: how can one live without food?

• Нелепость его планов проявилась, когда он попытался их реализовать.

  The absurdity of his plans became apparent when he tried to implement them.

• В абсурде повседневной жизни иногда скрывается глубокий смысл.

  In the absurdity of everyday life, deep meaning is sometimes hidden.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Абсурд' is a masculine noun (from the French loanword) and follows standard first-declension patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. It has regular inflections based on case and number.

'Нелепость' is a feminine noun and follows second-declension patterns. It is invariable in plural forms for some cases but standard otherwise.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Нелепость (similar but more humorous), Глупость (emphasizes foolishness), Бред (implies delusion or nonsense)
• Antonyms: Логика (logic, as it contrasts with irrationality), Разумность (reasonableness, for practical sense)

Related Phrases:

• Чистый абсурд - Pure absurdity; used to emphasize extreme illogicality.
• Абсурд ситуации - Absurdity of the situation; common in discussions of paradoxes.
• Нелепость происходящего - Ridiculousness of what's happening; for everyday absurd events.

Usage Notes:

'Абсурд' directly mirrors the English 'absurdity' in formal contexts, often borrowed from Western philosophy, while 'Нелепость' is more native and colloquial. Choose 'Абсурд' for intellectual or written discourse, and 'Нелепость' for casual conversations. Be mindful of case inflections in Russian sentences, as they affect agreement with other words. For example, in genitive constructions like "в абсурде жизни" (in the absurdity of life), the noun changes form.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'Абсурд' in plural without context, e.g., saying "абсурды" when referring to a single instance. Correct: Stick to singular for abstract concepts unless specifying multiple examples. Example of error: "Это абсурды" (incorrect for a general idea); Correct: "Это абсурд".

• Error: Confusing with English pronunciation, leading to mispronouncing /ɐbˈsurd/ as "ab-SURD" with English stress. Correct: Emphasize the second syllable and use the Russian 'р' sound.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'Абсурд' is heavily influenced by 20th-century literature, such as in the works of absurdist writers like Daniil Kharms or the influence of Albert Camus. It often reflects the chaos of Soviet-era life, symbolizing the disconnect between ideology and reality, which can add a layer of irony or satire in modern usage.

Related Concepts:

• Парадокс
• Ирония
• Бессмыслица