Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Bastard'

English Word: bastard

Key Russian Translations:

• ублюдок [ˈublʲʊdək] - [Informal, Derogatory]
• незаконнорожденный [nʲɪzəkɐˈnorəʐdʲɪnnɨj] - [Formal, Neutral, Historical]

Frequency: Medium (used in specific contexts, more common in informal speech for "ублюдок")

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "ублюдок"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "незаконнорожденный" due to formal tone and less frequent usage

Pronunciation (Russian):

ублюдок: [ˈublʲʊdək]

Note on ублюдок: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "у" is pronounced as a short "oo" sound, and "бл" can be challenging for non-native speakers due to the consonant cluster.

незаконнорожденный: [nʲɪzəkɐˈnorəʐdʲɪnnɨj]

Note on незаконнорожденный: Stress is on the fourth syllable ("но"). This is a longer word, so practice breaking it into parts for easier pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Insult or Derogatory Term (a despicable person)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ублюдок - Used informally to insult someone, implying they are despicable or morally low. Common in heated arguments or casual slang.

Usage Examples:

• Ты, ублюдок, как ты мог это сделать?

  You bastard, how could you do this?

• Этот ублюдок обманул всех нас.

  That bastard deceived all of us.

• Не будь ублюдком, помоги ей.

  Don’t be a bastard, help her.

2. Historical/Literal Meaning (illegitimate child)

Translation(s) & Context:

• незаконнорожденный - Used in formal or historical contexts to refer to a child born out of wedlock. Neutral tone, often in legal or literary texts.

Usage Examples:

• В те времена незаконнорожденные дети не имели прав.

  In those times, illegitimate children had no rights.

• Он был незаконнорожденным сыном графа.

  He was the illegitimate son of a count.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

ублюдок (noun, masculine): Follows the standard masculine noun declension in Russian. It changes based on case and number.

незаконнорожденный (adjective, masculine): Agrees with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and case. Example forms: незаконнорожденная (feminine), незаконнорожденное (neuter), незаконнорожденные (plural).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for ублюдок (derogatory sense):

• подонок
• мерзавец
• негодяй

Note: "подонок" is very close in tone, while "мерзавец" may imply a stronger moral judgment.

Synonyms for незаконнорожденный (historical sense):

• внебрачный

Antonyms: None directly applicable due to the specific connotations of the word.

Related Phrases:

• ублюдок без чести - "a bastard without honor" (used to emphasize moral failing)
• незаконнорожденный ребенок - "illegitimate child" (formal or historical context)

Usage Notes:

• "ублюдок" is a strong insult in Russian, similar to "bastard" in English. It should be used with caution as it can be highly offensive in most contexts.
• "незаконнорожденный" is rarely used in modern spoken Russian and is mostly found in historical or legal texts. It does not carry the derogatory weight of "ублюдок."
• When translating "bastard" into Russian, choose based on context: use "ублюдок" for insults and "незаконнорожденный" for the literal or historical sense.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "незаконнорожденный" as an insult. This is incorrect because it lacks the derogatory tone of "bastard" in the insulting sense.
  Incorrect: Ты незаконнорожденный! (Intending to insult)
  Correct: Ты ублюдок!
• Error: Mispronouncing "ублюдок" by stressing the wrong syllable (e.g., ublyuDOK instead of Ubludok). Stress is crucial in Russian for correct meaning and comprehension.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, calling someone "ублюдок" is a serious insult and can lead to strong emotional reactions or conflicts. It is associated with deep disdain or contempt. On the other hand, the concept of "незаконнорожденный" carries historical weight, often tied to societal stigma in older contexts, but it is not a term of insult today.

Related Concepts:

• подонок (scoundrel)
• мерзавец (villain)
• внебрачный (illegitimate, out of wedlock)