Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'barbarity'

English Word: barbarity

Key Russian Translations:

• варварство [vɐrˈvarsvə] - [Formal]
• жестокость [ʐɨsˈtokəstʲ] - [Informal, Plural]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in discussions of history, ethics, or current events, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract nouns and formal vocabulary; for "варварство", it's straightforward, but "жестокость" may vary slightly in nuance)

Pronunciation (Russian):

варварство: [vɐrˈvarsvə]

жестокость: [ʐɨsˈtokəstʲ]

Note on варварство: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the "в" sound, which is a voiced labiodental fricative. Variations may occur in dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Savage or cruel acts, often implying a lack of civilization

Translation(s) & Context:

• варварство - Used in formal contexts, such as historical or philosophical discussions, to describe barbaric behavior or uncivilized actions.
• жестокость - Applied in informal or emotional contexts, referring to cruelty in personal or social situations.

Usage Examples:

• В истории варварство часто ассоциируется с племенами, которые разрушали древние цивилизации.

  In history, barbarity is often associated with tribes that destroyed ancient civilizations.

• Его жестокость проявилась в безжалостном обращении с пленными во время войны.

  His barbarity manifested in the ruthless treatment of prisoners during the war.

• Современное общество должно бороться с варварством в форме дискриминации и насилия.

  Modern society must combat barbarity in the form of discrimination and violence.

• Жестокость правителей прошлого привела к падению империй.

  The barbarity of past rulers led to the fall of empires.

• Варварство в повседневной жизни может проявляться через акты вандализма в городах.

  Barbarity in everyday life can manifest through acts of vandalism in cities.

2. Extreme rudeness or lack of refinement

Translation(s) & Context:

• варварство - Used metaphorically in cultural critiques to denote uncultured behavior.
• жестокость - Less common here, but can imply harshness in social interactions.

Usage Examples:

• Его варварство за столом шокировало гостей, когда он ел без этикета.

  His barbarity at the table shocked the guests when he ate without etiquette.

• Жестокость в его словах ранила собеседника, показывая отсутствие такта.

  The barbarity in his words hurt the interlocutor, showing a lack of tact.

• Варварство современной моды иногда игнорирует исторические традиции.

  The barbarity of modern fashion sometimes ignores historical traditions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Варварство" is a neuter noun in Russian, following the standard patterns for nouns ending in -ство. It is indeclinable in some contexts but typically follows the third declension for neuter nouns.

For "жестокость", it is a feminine noun with regular declension patterns:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: дикость [dʲikostʲ] (wildness), грубость [ɡrubostʲ] (rudeness) - "грубость" is more about everyday incivility, while "дикость" emphasizes primal nature.
• Antonyms: цивилизованность [tsivilizovannostʲ] (civilization), гуманность [ɡumanostʲ] (humanity)

Related Phrases:

• Варварское нашествие - A historical invasion or barbaric attack; refers to events like the Mongol invasions.
• Жестокость судьбы - The cruelty of fate; used in literary contexts to describe harsh life circumstances.
• Преодолеть варварство - To overcome barbarity; implies progress towards civilization.

Usage Notes:

"Варварство" directly corresponds to the formal, historical sense of "barbarity" in English, making it ideal for academic or written contexts. "Жестокость" is more versatile for everyday cruelty but may not capture the cultural or historical connotations. Choose based on context: use "варварство" for broader, societal barbarity and "жестокость" for personal acts. Be mindful of Russian's case system when integrating into sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "варварство" with "варвар" (barbarian as a person) and using it incorrectly in sentences. Correct: Use "варварство" as a noun for the concept, e.g., "Его варварство шокировало" (His barbarity shocked) instead of "Он варварство" (wrong).
• Error: Overusing "жестокость" in formal historical contexts where "варварство" is more appropriate. Correct example: "Варварство древних племен" (The barbarity of ancient tribes) vs. Incorrect: "Жестокость древних племен" (which implies personal cruelty rather than cultural barbarity).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "варварство" often evokes images of historical invasions, such as those by nomadic tribes in medieval Russia, symbolizing threats to civilization. This term carries a sense of otherness, rooted in Russia's complex history with Western and Eastern influences, and is frequently used in literature like Tolstoy's works to critique human nature.

Related Concepts:

• дикость
• насилие
• цивилизация