Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'aspersion'

English Word: aspersion

Key Russian Translations:

• клевета (/klʲɪˈvʲetə/) - [Formal, Legal contexts]
• очернение (/ɐt͡ɕɪrʲɪˈnʲenʲɪje/) - [Informal, Literary or journalistic use]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear regularly in formal discussions, legal texts, and media, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of nuanced vocabulary and basic Russian grammar, as these nouns involve declensions. For 'клевета', it's B2; for 'очернение', it might edge towards B2-C1 due to its derivational complexity.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

клевета: /klʲɪˈvʲetə/

Note on клевета: The soft 'л' (/lʲ/) can be tricky for English speakers; it's pronounced with the tongue touching the alveolar ridge. Stress falls on the second syllable.

очернение: /ɐt͡ɕɪrʲɪˈnʲenʲɪje/

Note on очернение: This word has a palatalized 'ч' (/t͡ɕ/) and multiple soft consonants; practice with native audio for accurate flow. Stress is on the third syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The act of making an unfounded or damaging attack on someone's character (primary meaning).

Translation(s) & Context:

• клевета - Used in formal, legal, or serious contexts, such as court cases or ethical discussions, to denote deliberate slander with potential consequences.
• очернение - Applied in informal or media contexts to describe character assassination, often in writing or public speech.

Usage Examples:

• Он распространяет клевету на своего коллегу, что может привести к судебному иску.

  He is spreading aspersion on his colleague, which could lead to a lawsuit.

• В газете было опубликовано очернение известного политика, основанное на слухах.

  In the newspaper, there was an aspersion cast on the famous politician, based on rumors.

• Клевета в интернете часто остается безнаказанной, но она разрушает репутации.

  Aspersion on the internet often goes unpunished, but it destroys reputations.

• Очернение конкурентов стало обычной практикой в бизнесе.

  Aspersion of competitors has become a common practice in business.

• Чтобы избежать клеветы, всегда проверяйте факты перед обвинениями.

  To avoid casting aspersions, always verify facts before making accusations.

2. A specific instance or remark that implies defamation (less common nuance).

Translation(s) & Context:

• клевета - In conversational contexts, referring to a single defamatory statement, often in interpersonal conflicts.

Usage Examples:

• Её слова прозвучали как клевета, хотя она не имела доказательств.

  Her words sounded like an aspersion, though she had no evidence.

• Это была чистая клевета, aimed at подорвать его авторитет.

  It was pure aspersion, aimed at undermining his authority.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns, with 'клевета' being a feminine noun (3rd declension) and 'очернение' also feminine (neuter in some derived forms). Russian nouns inflect for case, number, and gender. Below is a table for 'клевета' as an example; 'очернение' follows similar patterns but with slight variations due to its suffix.

For 'очернение', it is invariable in some contexts as a verbal noun but typically follows the standard feminine pattern: Nominative singular - очернение; Genitive singular - очернения, etc. No irregular inflections noted.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • диффамация (/dʲɪfəˈmaʦɨjə/) - More formal, often used in legal or international contexts; implies systematic defamation.
  • облыгание (/ɐblɨˈɡanʲɪje/) - Informal, emphasizes false accusations with a connotation of baselessness.
• Antonyms:
  • хвала (/xvaˈla/) - Praise or commendation.
  • одобрение (/ɐdɐˈbrʲenʲɪje/) - Approval or endorsement.

Related Phrases:

• распускать клевету - To spread slander; often used in contexts of gossip or online misinformation.
• предмет очернения - The subject of aspersion; refers to the person or thing being defamed.
• клеветнический намек - A slanderous hint; implies subtle defamation without direct accusation.

Usage Notes:

'Aspersion' corresponds most closely to 'клевета' in formal English-Russian translation, especially in legal or ethical discussions, where it implies intentional harm. Use 'очернение' for broader, less formal contexts like media or personal attacks. Be mindful of Russian's case system; for example, 'клевета' must agree in case with its modifiers (e.g., "эта клевета" in nominative). In spoken Russian, these words are more common in educated or professional settings, so avoid them in casual conversation. When choosing between translations, opt for 'клевета' if the aspersion is legally actionable, and 'очернение' for reputational damage in public discourse.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'клевета' interchangeably with 'очернение' without considering context. For example, an English learner might say "Я слышал очернение" when meaning a specific legal slander, which sounds awkward.
  Correct: Use 'клевета' for legal implications: "Я слышал клевету." Explanation: 'Очернение' is more about general blackening of character, not necessarily illegal.
• Mistake: Forgetting declensions, e.g., saying "на клевета" instead of "на клевету" in accusative case.
  Correct: "Я верю в клевету" should be "Я верю в клевету" (prepositional), but adjust as needed. Explanation: Russian nouns change endings based on case, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'клевета' carries significant legal weight due to strict defamation laws, often linked to historical contexts like Soviet-era censorship. It reflects a societal emphasis on protecting personal honor, where public aspersions can lead to lawsuits or social ostracism, contrasting with more lenient attitudes in some Western cultures.

Related Concepts:

• осуждение
• клеветничество
• дискредитация