Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'avarice'

English Word: avarice

Key Russian Translations:

• жадность [ʐɐd.nəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, commonly used in literary or psychological contexts]
• алчность [ɐlʲt͡ɕ.nəsʲtʲ] - [Informal, often in everyday conversations or negative descriptions]

Frequency: Medium (This term is moderately common in Russian literature and discussions on human behavior, but less frequent in casual speech.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract nouns and nuanced vocabulary. For 'жадность', it's B2; for 'алчность', it's also B2 due to similar complexity.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

жадность: [ʐɐd.nəsʲtʲ]

алчность: [ɐlʲt͡ɕ.nəsʲtʲ]

Note on жадность: The initial 'ж' sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the 's' in 'measure'. Pronounce with emphasis on the second syllable.

Note on алчность: The 'ч' is a voiceless palatal fricative, akin to 'ch' in 'church', but softer. Avoid over-emphasizing the 'л' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Extreme greed for wealth or material things.

Translation(s) & Context:

• жадность - Used in formal contexts, such as literature, psychology, or ethical discussions, to describe insatiable greed.
• алчность - Applied in informal or everyday settings, often with a pejorative tone, to highlight selfish accumulation.

Usage Examples:

• Его жадность не знала границ, и он отказывался делиться даже с семьей.

  His avarice knew no bounds, and he refused to share even with his family.

• Алчность этого бизнесмена разрушила многие жизни, так как он всегда ставил деньги выше всего.

  The avarice of this businessman ruined many lives, as he always put money above everything.

• В русской литературе жадность часто изображается как порок, ведущий к падению героя.

  In Russian literature, avarice is often depicted as a vice that leads to the hero's downfall.

• Её алчность проявилась в мелких повседневных действиях, таких как скупка ненужных вещей.

  Her avarice showed in everyday actions, such as hoarding unnecessary items.

• Жадность может быть скрытой, но алчность часто заметна в поведении человека на публике.

  Avarice can be hidden, but greed is often evident in a person's public behavior.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'жадность' and 'алчность' are feminine abstract nouns in Russian, which means they follow the standard patterns for first-declension nouns. They are invariant in form for most uses but can change based on grammatical case. 'Жадность' and 'алчность' do not have irregular inflections, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Note: These nouns do not have plural forms in most contexts, as they represent abstract concepts. If used in plural, it would be irregular and context-specific, e.g., 'жадности' for multiple instances, but this is rare.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • скупость (skupost' - implies stinginess, with a focus on reluctance to spend)
  • корыстолюбие (korystolubie - emphasizes self-interest and material gain, often in a more calculated way)
• Antonyms:
  • щедрость (shchedrost' - generosity, directly opposite in meaning)
  • бескорыстие (beskorystie - selflessness, highlighting lack of greed)

Related Phrases:

• чрезвычайная жадность - Extreme avarice; used to describe overwhelming greed in formal contexts.
• алчность к власти - Avarice for power; a common phrase in political discussions, implying greed beyond material wealth.
• неуемная жадность - Insatiable avarice; often appears in literary or psychological texts to denote endless desire.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'жадность' is the most direct equivalent to 'avarice' and is preferred in formal or written contexts, such as essays or books, due to its neutral yet precise connotation. 'Алчность' is more informal and carries a stronger emotional weight, making it suitable for spoken language or storytelling. When choosing between translations, consider the context: use 'жадность' for psychological or ethical discussions, and 'алчность' for everyday criticisms. Grammatically, both are feminine nouns and require agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying words. For English speakers, be cautious of cultural nuances—Russians may associate these words with moral failings, as seen in classic literature like Dostoevsky's works.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'жадность' with 'скупость' (stinginess), leading to misuse in sentences like "Его скупость не знала границ" instead of "Его жадность не знала границ". Correct: 'Жадность' focuses on greed for accumulation, while 'скупость' emphasizes reluctance to spend. Explanation: This mix-up stems from overlapping meanings in English, but in Russian, they are distinct; always check the context to avoid understating the intensity of avarice.

• Error: Incorrect case usage, e.g., using nominative 'жадность' in a genitive context like "из-за жадность" instead of "из-за жадности". Correct: "Из-за жадности". Explanation: Russian requires proper declension; English learners often overlook case endings, which can make sentences grammatically incorrect.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like 'жадность' often appear in literature and folklore as a moral flaw, symbolizing the dangers of materialism. For instance, in works by Tolstoy or Chekhov, avarice is portrayed as a path to personal ruin, reflecting historical influences from Orthodox Christianity, which emphasizes humility and charity. This cultural connotation can add depth to the word, making it more than just a synonym for greed—it's a critique of societal values.

Related Concepts:

• богатство (wealth)
• жадничать (to be greedy)
• корысть (self-interest)