Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cannibal'

English Word: Cannibal

Key Russian Translations:

• каннибал [kɐnʲɪˈbaɫ] - [Neutral, Borrowed Term]
• людоед [lʲʊdɐˈjɛt] - [Informal, Native Term]

Frequency: Low

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

каннибал: [kɐnʲɪˈbaɫ]

Note on каннибал: Stress falls on the last syllable, which is typical for borrowed words in Russian.

людоед: [lʲʊdɐˈjɛt]

Note on людоед: Stress on the second syllable; the "людо-" part derives from "человек" (person), emphasizing the act of eating humans.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A person who eats human flesh

Translation(s) & Context:

• каннибал - Often used in scientific, historical, or formal contexts to describe cannibalistic practices.
• людоед - More colloquial and emotionally charged, often used in storytelling or to express disgust.

Usage Examples:

• В некоторых племенах практиковался каннибализм.

  In some tribes, cannibalism was practiced.

• Он назвал врага людоедом, чтобы подчеркнуть его жестокость.

  He called the enemy a cannibal to emphasize his cruelty.

• Истории о людоедах часто встречаются в русских сказках.

  Stories about cannibals are often found in Russian fairy tales.

• Каннибалы в этом фильме показаны как примитивные существа.

  Cannibals in this movie are portrayed as primitive beings.

• Людоед из легенды пожирал целые деревни.

  The cannibal from the legend devoured entire villages.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

1. каннибал (Masculine Noun)

2. людоед (Masculine Noun)

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for каннибал/людоед:

• пожиратель людей (lit. devourer of people) - Rare, highly expressive.

Antonyms for каннибал/людоед:

• вегетарианец (vegetarian)

Related Phrases:

• каннибализм в культуре - "Cannibalism in culture" (used in academic or historical discussions).
• людоедские привычки - "Cannibalistic habits" (figurative, to describe extreme cruelty).

Usage Notes:

• Choosing between каннибал and людоед: Use "каннибал" in formal, scientific, or neutral contexts (e.g., anthropology). Use "людоед" in informal, expressive, or literary contexts, as it carries a stronger negative connotation.
• Register: "людоед" can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe someone cruel or predatory, while "каннибал" rarely has this figurative usage.
• Grammar: Both are masculine nouns and follow standard declension patterns for animate nouns in Russian.

Common Errors:

• Mixing up contexts: English speakers often use "каннибал" in informal settings, which sounds unnatural. Incorrect: "Он каннибал!" (sounds overly formal). Correct: "Он людоед!" for casual speech.
• Pronunciation error: Misplacing stress in "людоед" as [lʲʊˈdɐjɛt] instead of [lʲʊdɐˈjɛt]. Stress must be on the second syllable.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian folklore and fairy tales, the concept of a "людоед" (cannibal or ogre) is common, often depicted as a monstrous figure who eats humans. This term carries a strong cultural resonance compared to the more clinical "каннибал," which is a direct borrowing from Latin via European languages.

Related Concepts:

• каннибализм (cannibalism)
• жестокость (cruelty)
• монстр (monster)