Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'buffoon'

English Word: buffoon

Key Russian Translations:

• шут [ʂut] - [Informal, often used in historical or theatrical contexts]
• буффон [bu'fɔn] - [Formal, borrowed from English/French, less common in everyday speech]
• дурак [du'rak] - [Informal, but implies more general foolishness; use with caution as it can be pejorative]

Frequency: Medium (The word 'шут' appears in literature, historical discussions, and theater, but is not as common in modern casual conversation as more everyday terms.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of Russian cultural contexts and basic noun inflections. 'буффон' might be A2 for beginners due to its direct borrowing, while 'дурак' is B1 due to potential nuances in connotation.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

шут: [ʂut]

буффон: [bu'fɔn]

дурак: [du'rak]

Note on шут: The 'ш' sound is a voiceless retroflex fricative, similar to the 'sh' in English 'shoe' but more retracted; pay attention to the soft 'у' vowel for a natural flow.

Note on буффон: Stress on the second syllable; the 'ф' is pronounced as a voiceless labiodental fricative, like 'f' in English 'fun'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A ridiculous but amusing person; a clown or jester

Translation(s) & Context:

• шут - Used in historical, theatrical, or literary contexts, often referring to a professional entertainer or fool in a court setting.
• буффон - Applied in more formal or borrowed contexts, such as describing comedic performers in modern media.
• дурак - Informal and everyday, but can imply stupidity rather than amusement; best for casual, pejorative descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• В средневековом дворе шут развлекал короля своими глупыми выходками.

  In the medieval court, the buffoon entertained the king with his silly antics.

• Этот актер играет роль буффона в комедийном спектакле.

  This actor plays the role of a buffoon in the comedy performance.

• Не будь дураком и не повторяй эту ошибку снова.

  Don't be a buffoon and repeat that mistake again. (Note: This usage leans more toward foolishness.)

• Шут в пьесе Шекспира всегда добавляет юмора в трагедию.

  The buffoon in Shakespeare's play always adds humor to the tragedy.

• Современный буффон на ТВ шоу заставляет аудиторию смеяться над абсурдными ситуациями.

  The modern buffoon on the TV show makes the audience laugh at absurd situations.

A foolish or ridiculous person in a non-professional context

Translation(s) & Context:

• дурак - Common in informal settings, emphasizing stupidity over entertainment.

Usage Examples:

• Он вел себя как дурак на вечеринке, развлекая всех своими шутками.

  He acted like a buffoon at the party, entertaining everyone with his jokes.

• Не будь шутом и сосредоточься на работе.

  Don't be a buffoon and focus on your work.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'шут' (a masculine noun), it follows standard Russian noun declension patterns for the first declension. It is invariable in plural forms in some contexts but changes by case.

For 'буффон' (also masculine), it follows similar patterns but is less commonly inflected due to its borrowed status:

'Дурак' (masculine) has regular inflections similar to 'шут' and is unremarkable in its changes.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • клоун (clown; more modern and theatrical)
  • дурачок (little fool; affectionate or diminutive form)
  • паяц (puppet or buffoon; implies exaggerated behavior)
• Antonyms:
  • мудрец (wise man; implies intelligence and seriousness)
  • серьезный человек (serious person; straightforward opposition)

Note: 'Клоун' is often used for professional performers, while 'дурачок' can have a softer, endearing connotation in informal speech.

Related Phrases:

• королевский шут - Royal buffoon; refers to a historical court jester.
• шут гороховый - A proverbial fool; implies someone acting foolishly for amusement.
• быть буффоном - To act as a buffoon; used in contexts of over-the-top behavior.

Usage Notes:

'Шут' is the most direct and idiomatic translation for 'buffoon' in historical or literary contexts, while 'буффон' is better for modern, borrowed usages. Be cautious with 'дурак' as it can sound rude or overly simplistic in English equivalents. In Russian, these words are often gender-specific (e.g., 'шут' is masculine; for feminine, use 'шутка' for a joke, not a person). Choose based on context: formal writing prefers 'шут', casual speech might use 'дурак'.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'шут' with 'шутка' (which means 'joke'): Incorrect: "Он шут в пьесе" meaning a joke; Correct: "Он шут в пьесе" is fine, but ensure it refers to a person, not an action. Explanation: 'Шутка' is feminine and means a humorous remark, so learners might mix them up in sentences.

• Overusing 'дурак' in formal contexts: Incorrect: Using 'дурак' in a professional description; Correct: Opt for 'шут' instead. Explanation: 'Дурак' can offend, as it's more pejorative, whereas 'buffoon' often carries a lighter tone.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the 'шут' or court jester has historical roots in medieval courts, like those of Ivan the Terrible, where they provided comic relief and sometimes political satire. This reflects a broader Slavic tradition of using humor to critique authority, seen in literature like Pushkin's works, adding depth to the word beyond its English counterpart.

Related Concepts:

• актер (actor)
• комик (comedian)
• сатирик (satirist)