Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'cannibalism'

English Word: cannibalism

Key Russian Translations:

• Каннибализм [kɐˈnʲibəlʲɪzm] - [Formal, Used in academic, anthropological, or historical contexts]
• Людоедство [lʲʊdɐˈjɛtstva] - [Formal, Informal in literary contexts, Plural forms possible]

Frequency: Medium (Common in specialized discussions like anthropology, history, or ethics, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate to Advanced; requires understanding of borrowed words and cultural concepts; "каннибализм" is straightforward for learners, while "людоедство" may involve more nuanced historical connotations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Каннибализм: [kɐˈnʲibəlʲɪzm]

Note on Каннибализм: Stress falls on the third syllable; the initial "к" is pronounced as a hard [k], and the "нʲ" indicates a palatalized "n". This word is a direct borrowing from English, so pronunciation may vary slightly by speaker.

Людоедство: [lʲʊdɐˈjɛtstva]

Note on Людоедство: Stress on the third syllable; the "лʲ" is palatalized, and the word ends in a soft consonant cluster. Common in narrative contexts but less in modern spoken Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The practice of humans eating the flesh of other humans, often in cultural, survival, or pathological contexts

Translation(s) & Context:

• Каннибализм - Used in formal, scientific, or ethical discussions, such as anthropology or history books.
• Людоедство - Applied in literary or folklore contexts, implying a more primitive or mythical aspect.

Usage Examples:

• В некоторых племенах Африки каннибализм практиковался как ритуал.

  In some African tribes, cannibalism was practiced as a ritual.

• История знает случаи людоедства во время длительных путешествий.

  History records cases of cannibalism during long journeys.

• Современные фильмы часто изображают каннибализм как элемент ужасов.

  Modern films often depict cannibalism as an element of horror.

• Людоедство в мифах связано с древними поверьями и страхами.

  Cannibalism in myths is linked to ancient beliefs and fears.

• Антропологи изучают каннибализм как социальное явление в изолированных сообществах.

  Anthropologists study cannibalism as a social phenomenon in isolated communities.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "каннибализм" and "людоедство" are masculine nouns in Russian, following standard declension patterns for borrowed and native words. "Каннибализм" is relatively invariable due to its foreign origin, while "людоедство" has full declension. Below is a table for "людоедство" as an example:

For "каннибализм", it is mostly undeclined in modern usage (e.g., remains "каннибализм" in all cases), but can follow neuter patterns in some contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Антропофагия [Used in scientific contexts, emphasizing human consumption]
  • Пожирание себе подобных [More descriptive, literal term; informal]
• Antonyms:
  • Вегетарианство [Vegetarianism; implies abstaining from meat]
  • Гуманизм [Humanism; focuses on ethical treatment]

Related Phrases:

• Практика каннибализма - The practice of cannibalism; used in discussions of cultural rituals.
• Людоедские обычаи - Cannibalistic customs; refers to traditional practices with a negative connotation.
• История каннибализма в литературе - The history of cannibalism in literature; common in academic analysis.

Usage Notes:

Cannibalism translates most directly to "каннибализм" in formal contexts, which is a borrowed term and aligns closely with English usage. "Людоедство" is more native and often carries a historical or mythical flavor, making it suitable for literary or folklore discussions. Be mindful of the sensitive nature of this topic in Russian culture, where it may evoke strong ethical or taboo associations. When choosing between translations, opt for "каннибализм" in modern, scientific writing and "людоедство" in narrative or historical texts. Grammatically, both are nouns and can be used in various sentence structures, but always consider the context to avoid offense.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "каннибализм" with "каннибалист" (a person who practices it). Correct: Use "каннибалист" for the individual, e.g., "Он описал каннибалиста" (He described the cannibal) instead of incorrectly saying "каннибализм" for the person.

• Error: Overusing "людоедство" in casual conversation, which can sound archaic or exaggerated. Correct: Reserve it for formal or literary contexts; in everyday Russian, say "случаи каннибализма" (cases of cannibalism) to sound natural.

• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., using "каннибализмом" improperly. Correct: As an undeclined noun, it often doesn't change, but if it does, follow standard rules; for example, "о каннибализме" (about cannibalism) is correct.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "людоедство" are often linked to folklore and historical narratives, such as stories of ancient tribes or fairy tales involving mythical creatures. This reflects Russia's rich oral traditions and its history of exploration, where cannibalism was sometimes reported in extreme survival situations. However, discussing it openly can be taboo, as it challenges ethical norms and is frequently associated with negative portrayals in literature, like in works by Gogol or modern horror genres.

Related Concepts:

• Антропология
• Ритуалы
• Примитивные культуры
• Этика питания