Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'canard'

English Word: canard

Key Russian Translations:

• утка [ˈutka] - [Informal, used for false rumors or fabricated stories, often in media contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in journalistic and everyday discussions about misinformation, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun inflections and contextual nuances, based on CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

утка: [ˈutka] (The stress is on the first syllable; the "у" is pronounced like "oo" in "food", and the "т" is a soft, unaspirated "t")

Note on утка: Be mindful of the soft "т" sound, which can be challenging for English speakers accustomed to harder consonants. Regional variations in Russia might slightly alter the vowel length.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A false or baseless story, especially one circulated as truth (e.g., in journalism or gossip)

Translation(s) & Context:

• утка - Used in informal or media contexts to describe a hoax or fabricated news, often implying intentional deception.

Usage Examples:

• Эта утка о коррупции в правительстве быстро распространилась по социальным сетям.

  This canard about corruption in the government quickly spread across social media.

• Не верь этой утке; это просто выдумка журналиста.

  Don't believe this canard; it's just a fabrication by the journalist.

• В газете часто публикуют утки, чтобы привлечь внимание читателей.

  Newspapers often publish canards to attract readers' attention.

• Такая утка может повредить репутации человека, даже если она ложная.

  Such a canard can damage a person's reputation, even if it's false.

• В эпоху интернета утки распространяются мгновенно, но их легко разоблачить.

  In the internet age, canards spread instantly, but they can be easily debunked.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"утка" is a feminine noun in Russian (3rd declension). It follows regular inflection patterns for nouns, with changes based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners, but always pay attention to the final vowel in different cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: клевета (more formal, implying slander), сплетня (gossip, often informal and social)
• Antonyms: правда (truth; used when contrasting with falsehoods, e.g., in debates)

Brief notes: "Клевета" carries a legal connotation, while "сплетня" is more about casual rumors; choose based on context for precision.

Related Phrases:

• Жёлтая утка - Refers to "yellow journalism" or sensationalized fake news, often used in media criticism.
• Распустить утку - Means "to spread a canard" or circulate false information deliberately.
• Утка на ножках - A playful idiom for something unstable or fabricated, implying it's "on shaky legs."

Usage Notes:

"Утка" directly corresponds to the English "canard" in the context of false stories, but it's more versatile in Russian and can extend to literal meanings like "duck." Use it in informal settings or journalism; in formal writing, opt for "клевета" to avoid sounding casual. Grammatically, ensure it agrees with case and gender in sentences. When multiple translations exist, choose "утка" for everyday misinformation and "сплетня" for social gossip to match nuance.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "утка" in a literal sense (e.g., animal) when meaning a rumor, leading to confusion. Correct: In the context of "canard" as a false story, always specify or use in a sentence like "Это утка" (This is a canard), not "Утка плывет" (The duck is swimming). Explanation: English speakers might mix it with the animal meaning, so context is key.

• Error: Forgetting to inflect properly, e.g., saying "Я видел утка" instead of "Я видел утку" (Accusative case). Correct: "Я видел утку" – This ensures grammatical accuracy in Russian sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "утка" as a term for false news reflects a historical skepticism toward media, stemming from Soviet-era propaganda. It highlights Russia's emphasis on verifying information, especially in the digital age, where social media amplifies such canards, fostering a cultural wariness of unverified stories.

Related Concepts:

• клевета
• фейк
• сплетня