Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Bourgeois'

English Word: bourgeois

Key Russian Translations:

• буржуа [bʊrˈʒua] - [Neutral, Singular/Plural]
• буржуазный [bʊrʒuˈaznɨj] - [Adjective, Formal]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

буржуа: [bʊrˈʒua]

Note on буржуа: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'ж' sound is similar to the 's' in 'measure'.

буржуазный: [bʊrʒuˈaznɨj]

Note on буржуазный: Stress on the third syllable. The ending changes based on gender and case.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Middle-Class Person or Capitalist (Noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• буржуа - Used to refer to a member of the middle class or a capitalist, often with a negative connotation in historical or Marxist contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он типичный буржуа, думающий только о деньгах.

  He is a typical bourgeois, thinking only about money.

• Буржуа владели большей частью промышленности в то время.

  The bourgeoisie owned most of the industry at that time.

• Этот район раньше был местом для буржуа.

  This area used to be a place for the bourgeoisie.

2. Relating to Middle-Class Values or Capitalism (Adjective)

Translation(s) & Context:

• буржуазный - Used to describe something related to the middle class, often implying materialism or conventionality.

Usage Examples:

• Его буржуазный вкус в одежде раздражает меня.

  His bourgeois taste in clothing annoys me.

• Это была типичная буржуазная семья с консервативными взглядами.

  It was a typical bourgeois family with conservative views.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

буржуа (Noun): This noun is indeclinable in Russian, meaning it does not change form based on case or number. It can refer to both singular and plural (context-dependent).

буржуазный (Adjective): This adjective declines based on gender, number, and case. Below is a basic declension table for the nominative case:

Note: Further declensions occur in other cases (genitive, dative, etc.), following standard Russian adjective patterns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for буржуа:

• капиталист (capitalist - more specific to economic context)
• мещанин (petty bourgeois - often with a derogatory tone)

Antonyms for буржуа:

• пролетарий (proletarian)
• рабочий (worker)

Related Phrases:

• буржуазная революция - Bourgeois revolution (refers to historical events like the French Revolution).
• буржуазные ценности - Bourgeois values (often used critically to imply materialism).
• буржуазный образ жизни - Bourgeois lifestyle (describes a comfortable, conventional way of living).

Usage Notes:

• The term "буржуа" often carries a negative or critical connotation in Russian, especially in historical or political contexts, due to its association with Marxist critique of capitalism.
• "буржуазный" as an adjective is more neutral when describing middle-class characteristics but can still imply criticism depending on tone and context.
• Choose "буржуа" when referring to a person or group, and "буржуазный" when describing qualities, behaviors, or objects associated with the bourgeoisie.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "буржуа" as an adjective. Incorrect: "Это буржуа дом." Correct: "Это буржуазный дом." (This is a bourgeois house.) Explanation: "буржуа" is a noun and cannot modify another noun; use the adjective form "буржуазный."
• Error: Declining "буржуа" in cases. Incorrect: "Я вижу буржуы." Correct: "Я вижу буржуа." Explanation: "буржуа" is indeclinable and remains the same in all cases and numbers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, especially during the Soviet era, "буржуа" and related terms were heavily used in propaganda to criticize capitalism and the middle/upper classes. Even today, the word can evoke a sense of historical tension or irony when used in casual conversation. It is often associated with materialism or outdated societal structures.

Related Concepts:

• пролетариат (proletariat)
• капитализм (capitalism)
• социализм (socialism)