Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'contemptible'

English Word: contemptible

Key Russian Translations:

• Презренный (Prezrennyy) - /prʲɪˈzrennɨj/ - [Formal; used in literary or serious contexts to describe something deserving of contempt]
• Постыдный (Postydnyy) - /pɐˈstɨdnɨj/ - [Informal; often used in everyday speech for actions or behaviors that are shameful]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday conversation but appear in literature, formal writing, or discussions of ethics.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2; Requires understanding of Russian adjective inflections and nuanced vocabulary, varying by translation.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Презренный: /prʲɪˈzrennɨj/

Постыдный: /pɐˈstɨdnɨj/

Note on Презренный: The stress is on the third syllable, which can be tricky for learners due to the soft 'р' sound; variations may occur in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Deserving of contempt or scorn, often due to moral failings.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Презренный - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe people or actions that are morally reprehensible, e.g., in historical or philosophical discussions.
• Постыдный - Applied in everyday situations for behaviors that cause shame, such as in personal or social critiques.

Usage Examples:

• Его презренные действия шокировали всю общину. (His contemptible actions shocked the entire community.)

  English Translation: His contemptible actions shocked the entire community.

• Этот постыдный поступок навсегда запятнал его репутацию. (This contemptible deed permanently stained his reputation.)

  English Translation: This contemptible deed permanently stained his reputation.

• В истории полно презренных предателей, изменивших своей стране. (History is full of contemptible traitors who betrayed their country.)

  English Translation: History is full of contemptible traitors who betrayed their country.

• Её постыдное поведение на вечеринке стало темой разговоров. (Her contemptible behavior at the party became the talk of the town.)

  English Translation: Her contemptible behavior at the party became the talk of the town.

Secondary Meaning: Worthless or deserving of disdain in a non-moral sense, e.g., poor quality.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Презренный - Less common, but used metaphorically for substandard items or ideas in formal writing.

Usage Examples:

• Эта презренная подделка не стоит и копейки. (This contemptible fake isn't worth a penny.)

  English Translation: This contemptible fake isn't worth a penny.

• Презренные товары на рынке часто обманывают покупателей. (Contemptible goods in the market often deceive buyers.)

  English Translation: Contemptible goods in the market often deceive buyers.

• В искусстве презренные копии не заменят оригиналы. (In art, contemptible copies don't replace originals.)

  English Translation: In art, contemptible copies don't replace originals.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Презренный" and "Постыдный" are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow standard first-declension adjective patterns with some irregularities in spelling due to soft consonants.

Note: These adjectives do not change in short form but must agree with the noun they modify. For irregular cases, consult a full grammar guide.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Позорный (Pozornyy) - Similar to "shameful," but with a stronger public connotation.
  • Гнусный (Gnusnyy) - Implies something vile or disgusting, often used interchangeably in informal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • Почитаемый (Pochitaemyy) - Meaning "respected" or "honorable."
  • Благородный (Blagorodnyy) - Meaning "noble" or "worthy of admiration."

Related Phrases:

• Презренный акт (Prezrennyy akt) - A contemptible act; used in legal or ethical discussions to describe reprehensible behavior.
• Постыдная тайна (Postydnaya tayna) - A contemptible secret; refers to something shameful kept hidden, common in personal narratives.
• Презренное предательство (Prezrennoye predatelstvo) - Contemptible betrayal; often in historical or dramatic contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Презренный" aligns closely with the formal, moral undertones of "contemptible" in English, making it ideal for written or academic use. "Постыдный" is more versatile for everyday speech but carries a personal shame aspect. Choose based on context: use "Презренный" for public or historical scorn, and "Постыдный" for private or emotional situations. Be mindful of adjective agreement with nouns in Russian sentences, as mismatches can lead to grammatical errors.

• Grammar note: Always inflect these adjectives to match the gender, number, and case of the noun they describe.
• Context tip: In Russian culture, these words often appear in literature or media criticizing social issues, so they may sound overly dramatic in casual talk.

Common Errors:

One common mistake is confusing "Презренный" with "Презрительный" (Prezritelnyy), which means "contemptuous" (showing contempt) rather than "contemptible" (deserving contempt). For example:

• Incorrect: Он был презрительный к своим друзьям. (He was contemptible to his friends. - This implies he deserved contempt, which is wrong.)
• Correct: Он был презренный к своим друзьям. (No, wait: Actually, use "Презрительный" for "He was contemptuous." Correct usage: Он совершил презренный поступок. - He committed a contemptible act.)
• Explanation: Learners often mix up the suffixes; remember, "-ный" in "Презренный" describes the object, not the attitude.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "Презренный" often evoke themes from literature, such as in Dostoevsky's works, where contemptible characters represent moral decay. This reflects a historical emphasis on personal honor and societal judgment, making such vocabulary more prevalent in introspective or critical discourse rather than daily chit-chat.

Related Concepts:

• Позор (Pozor) - Shame
• Предательство (Predatelstvo) - Betrayal
• Бесчестие (Beschastie) - Dishonor