Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'banality'

English Word: banality

Key Russian Translations:

• банальность [bənɐˈlʲnostʲ] - [Formal, Literary]

Frequency: Medium (Common in intellectual discussions, literature, and criticism, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and nominal forms in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

банальность: [bənɐˈlʲnostʲ]

Note on банальность: The stress falls on the third syllable ("lʲnostʲ"). Pay attention to the soft sign (ʲ) which softens the preceding consonant, a common feature in Russian phonetics that can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: Play Pronunciation [Insert audio player or link here]

Meanings and Usage:

Something lacking originality or freshness; a trite or commonplace idea

Translation(s) & Context:

• банальность - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe clichéd ideas in art, philosophy, or everyday life, often implying criticism.

Usage Examples:

• Эта идея полна банальности и не предлагает ничего нового.

  This idea is full of banality and offers nothing new.

• В его речах часто встречаются банальности, которые утомляют слушателей.

  His speeches often contain banalities that tire the listeners.

• Банальность современного кино раздражает критиков, ищущих оригинальность.

  The banality of modern cinema irritates critics who seek originality.

• Избегайте банальности в вашем эссе, чтобы сделать его более запоминающимся.

  Avoid banality in your essay to make it more memorable.

• Банальность повседневной рутины иногда подавляет творческий дух.

  The banality of everyday routine sometimes suppresses creative spirit.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Банальность" is a feminine noun in the third declension. It follows standard Russian nominal inflections with some irregularities due to its abstract nature. Below is a table of its key forms:

Note: This word does not change in gender or have verbal inflections, as it is a noun. Always ensure agreement with adjectives and verbs based on its feminine form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • тривиальность (trivials't) - Similar to banality but often implies something more predictable or everyday.
  • штамп (shtamp) - Used for clichéd expressions, with a connotation of being overly formulaic.
• Antonyms:
  • оригинальность (original'nost') - Emphasizes uniqueness and creativity.
  • новизна (novizna) - Highlights novelty or freshness.

Related Phrases:

• избегать банальности - To avoid banality; often used in creative writing or artistic advice.
• полная банальности речь - A speech full of banality; refers to tedious, unoriginal discourse.
• банальность жизни - The banality of life; a common phrase in philosophical discussions, drawing from existential themes.

Usage Notes:

"Банальность" directly corresponds to the English "banality" in meaning, but it's more commonly used in formal, intellectual, or literary contexts in Russian rather than casual conversation. English speakers should note that Russian often pairs this word with adjectives for emphasis (e.g., "простая банальность" for "simple banality"). Be cautious with its feminine gender when forming sentences, and choose it over synonyms like "тривиальность" when the focus is on lack of originality rather than predictability. In multiple-choice scenarios, prefer "банальность" for abstract critiques.

Common Errors:

• Confusing it with "банальный" (banal'nyy), the adjective form: Learners might say "банальность" when they mean "банальный" (e.g., "This is banality idea" instead of "This is a banal idea"). Correct usage: Use "банальный" as an adjective, e.g., "банальная идея" (a banal idea), not "банальность идея".

• Misplacing stress: English speakers often stress the wrong syllable, saying [banal'nost] instead of [bənɐˈlʲnostʲ]. This can make the word sound unnatural; practice with audio to master the correct emphasis.

• Overusing in informal settings: "Банальность" sounds overly formal in casual talk; instead of saying it in everyday conversation, Russians might opt for simpler terms like " routine" without the word. Error example: "Моя жизнь банальность" (incorrect overuse); Correct: "Моя жизнь полна банальности" in a reflective context.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "банальность" often evokes themes from 19th- and 20th-century literature, such as in the works of Leo Tolstoy or Anton Chekhov, where everyday banality is contrasted with deeper human experiences. It reflects a cultural appreciation for introspection and criticism of superficiality, influenced by historical events like the Soviet era's emphasis on realism in art.

Related Concepts:

• оригинальность
• творчество
• клише