Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Concubine'

English Word: Concubine

Key Russian Translations:

• наложница [nɐˈɫoʐnʲɪtsə] - [Formal, Historical]
• любовница [lʲʊˈbovnʲɪtsə] - [Informal, Modern]

Frequency: Low (Rare in modern usage, more common in historical or literary contexts)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for "наложница"; A2 (Beginner) for "любовница"

Pronunciation (Russian):

наложница: [nɐˈɫoʐnʲɪtsə]

Note on наложница: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "ж" sound is a voiced fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure'.

любовница: [lʲʊˈbovnʲɪtsə]

Note on любовница: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "л" is palatalized, pronounced with the tongue raised toward the palate.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Historical or Formal Context (A woman in a subservient relationship, often in a historical setting)

Translation(s) & Context:

• наложница - Used in historical or literary contexts to refer to a concubine, often in relation to royalty or nobility.

Usage Examples:

• В древние времена у царя было много наложниц.

  In ancient times, the tsar had many concubines.

• Наложница жила в отдельном крыле дворца.

  The concubine lived in a separate wing of the palace.

• Историки описывают жизнь наложниц как полную ограничений.

  Historians describe the life of concubines as full of restrictions.

2. Modern Informal Context (A mistress or lover, often in a secretive relationship)

Translation(s) & Context:

• любовница - Refers to a mistress or lover, often implying a romantic or illicit relationship in modern usage.

Usage Examples:

• У него есть любовница, о которой никто не знает.

  He has a mistress that no one knows about.

• Она узнала, что её муж встречается с любовницей.

  She found out that her husband is seeing a mistress.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

наложница (Noun, Feminine, 1st Declension):

любовница (Noun, Feminine, 1st Declension): Follows the same declension pattern as "наложница".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for наложница:

• одалиска (historical, literary term for a concubine in a harem)

Synonyms for любовница:

• подруга (more neutral, can mean 'girlfriend')
• возлюбленная (more romantic, 'beloved')

Antonyms: None directly applicable in most contexts.

Related Phrases:

• жить с любовницей - To live with a mistress (implies a long-term relationship).
• гарем наложниц - A harem of concubines (historical context, refers to a group of concubines).

Usage Notes:

• "наложница" is primarily used in historical or literary contexts and may sound archaic or out of place in modern conversation.
• "любовница" is more common in contemporary Russian but carries a negative or secretive connotation, often implying an extramarital relationship. It should be used with caution as it can be offensive in certain contexts.
• When translating "concubine" to Russian, consider the time period and tone of the text to choose between "наложница" and "любовница".

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "любовница" in a historical context.
  Incorrect: У царя была любовница в гареме.
  Correct: У царя была наложница в гареме.
  Explanation: "любовница" is a modern term and inappropriate for historical settings; "наложница" is the correct choice.
• Error: Using "наложница" in casual modern speech.
  Incorrect: У него есть наложница на стороне.
  Correct: У него есть любовница на стороне.
  Explanation: "наложница" sounds outdated and overly formal in modern contexts.

Cultural Notes:

The concept of a "concubine" as represented by "наложница" is deeply tied to historical practices in Russian and Eurasian cultures, often associated with the courts of tsars or khans where harems existed. In modern Russian culture, the term "любовница" reflects societal attitudes toward extramarital relationships, often carrying a stigma or judgment.

Related Concepts:

• гарем (harem)
• жена (wife)
• невеста (bride)