Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'atrocity'

English Word: atrocity

Key Russian Translations:

• зверство [ˈzvʲerstvə] - [Neutral, Commonly Used]
• жестокость [ʐɨˈstokəsʲtʲ] - [Neutral, Often Abstract]
• бесчеловечность [bʲɪsʲtɕɪlɐˈvʲetɕnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, Strong Emotional Connotation]

Frequency: Medium (used in discussions of war, history, or moral issues)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for "зверство" and "жестокость"; C1 (Advanced) for "бесчеловечность"

Pronunciation (Russian):

зверство: [ˈzvʲerstvə]

Note on зверство: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "з" is pronounced with a voiced fricative sound.

жестокость: [ʐɨˈstokəsʲtʲ]

Note on жестокость: Stress on the second syllable. The "ж" is a retroflex fricative, distinct from English sounds.

бесчеловечность: [bʲɪsʲtɕɪlɐˈvʲetɕnəsʲtʲ]

Note on бесчеловечность: Stress on the fourth syllable. A longer word, often challenging for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A brutal or cruel act (often in war or violence)

Translation(s) & Context:

• зверство - Used for specific violent acts, often in historical or war contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Во время войны были совершены ужасные зверства.

  During the war, horrific atrocities were committed.

• Зверства против мирного населения вызвали международное осуждение.

  Atrocities against civilians provoked international condemnation.

• Он рассказал о зверствах, свидетелем которых стал.

  He spoke about the atrocities he had witnessed.

2. Cruelty or harshness (general behavior or attitude)

Translation(s) & Context:

• жестокость - Refers to cruelty as a trait or abstract concept, not necessarily a specific act.

Usage Examples:

• Его жестокость к животным шокировала всех.

  His cruelty to animals shocked everyone.

• Жестокость в его словах была очевидна.

  The cruelty in his words was evident.

3. Inhumanity (moral or ethical failing)

Translation(s) & Context:

• бесчеловечность - Used in formal or emotional contexts to emphasize a lack of humanity.

Usage Examples:

• Бесчеловечность этого поступка невозможно оправдать.

  The inhumanity of this act cannot be justified.

• Мы должны бороться против бесчеловечности в обществе.

  We must fight against inhumanity in society.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

зверство (neuter noun):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	зверство	зверства
Genitive	зверства	зверств
Dative	зверству	зверствам
Accusative	зверство	зверства
Instrumental	зверством	зверствами
Prepositional	о зверстве	о зверствах

жестокость (feminine noun) and бесчеловечность (feminine noun) follow regular feminine noun declension patterns with similar case endings adjusted for their stems.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for зверство:

• жестокость
• насилие
• бесчеловечность

Note: "жестокость" often implies a general trait, while "насилие" focuses on physical violence.

Antonyms for зверство/жестокость:

• доброта
• милосердие

Related Phrases:

• совершить зверство - to commit an atrocity
• жестокость судьбы - cruelty of fate
• проявить бесчеловечность - to show inhumanity

Usage Notes:

• "зверство" is the most direct translation for a specific act of atrocity, especially in violent or historical contexts.
• "жестокость" often refers to cruelty as a characteristic or abstract idea rather than a specific event.
• "бесчеловечность" carries a strong moral judgment and is used in formal or emotionally charged contexts.
• Be mindful of the context when choosing between these translations, as they are not always interchangeable.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "жестокость" to describe a specific violent act.
  Incorrect: Во время войны были жестокости.
  Correct: Во время войны были зверства.
  Explanation: "жестокость" is more abstract and less suitable for specific acts of violence.
• Error: Mispronouncing "зверство" by stressing the wrong syllable.
  Incorrect: [zvʲerˈstvə]
  Correct: [ˈzvʲerstvə]
  Explanation: Stress in Russian is critical and changes meaning or sounds unnatural if misplaced.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, discussions of "зверство" often evoke strong historical connotations, particularly related to World War II, where the term is frequently used to describe Nazi war crimes. The emotional weight of such terms is significant in Russian culture, reflecting a collective memory of suffering and resilience.

Related Concepts:

• насилие (violence)
• война (war)
• преступление (crime)