Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Craze'

English Word: craze

Key Russian Translations:

• увлечение [uvlʲɪˈtɕenʲɪjə] - [Neutral, Common]
• мания [ˈmanʲɪjə] - [Informal, Often Negative]
• помешательство [pəmʲɪˈʂat͡sə] - [Strong, Negative]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "увлечение"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "мания" and "помешательство"

Pronunciation (Russian):

увлечение: [uvlʲɪˈtɕenʲɪjə]

Note on увлечение: Stress falls on the third syllable; the "ч" sound is a soft affricate, similar to "ch" in "church."

мания: [ˈmanʲɪjə]

Note on мания: Stress on the first syllable; the "я" is pronounced as "ya."

помешательство: [pəmʲɪˈʂat͡sə]

Note on помешательство: Stress on the third syllable; long and complex word, often used in formal or dramatic contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A temporary popular trend or enthusiasm

Translation(s) & Context:

• увлечение - Commonly used for hobbies or passing interests, often neutral or positive in tone.

Usage Examples:

• Его новое увлечение — коллекционирование марок.

  His new craze is collecting stamps.

• У подростков сейчас увлечение социальными сетями.

  Teenagers nowadays have a craze for social media.

• Это увлечение скоро пройдет.

  This craze will pass soon.

2. An obsessive or irrational interest

Translation(s) & Context:

• мания - Used for obsessive behavior, often with a negative connotation.
• помешательство - Stronger term, implying irrationality or madness.

Usage Examples:

• У него мания покупать дорогие машины.

  He has a craze for buying expensive cars.

• Это просто помешательство на чистоте!

  This is just a craze for cleanliness!

Russian Forms/Inflections:

увлечение (Noun, Neuter): Regular declension in singular and plural.

мания (Noun, Feminine): Regular declension, similar to standard feminine nouns ending in -я.

помешательство (Noun, Neuter): Regular declension, similar to "увлечение."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for увлечение:

• хобби (hobby)
• страсть (passion) - Stronger emotional connotation

Synonyms for мания/помешательство:

• одержимость (obsession)
• безумие (madness) - Stronger negative tone

Antonyms:

• равнодушие (indifference)
• апатия (apathy)

Related Phrases:

• новое увлечение - "new craze" (a new interest or trend)
• мания величия - "craze for greatness" (delusions of grandeur)
• помешательство на чем-либо - "craze for something" (obsession with something)

Usage Notes:

• "увлечение" is the most neutral and versatile translation for "craze," suitable for positive or neutral contexts like hobbies or trends.
• "мания" often carries a negative or obsessive connotation, so it should be used carefully, especially in formal settings.
• "помешательство" is a strong term implying irrational behavior or even mental instability; it’s best used in dramatic or critical contexts.
• Choose the translation based on tone and context: for casual trends, use "увлечение"; for obsessive behavior, use "мания" or "помешательство."

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "мания" for a harmless hobby or trend.
  Incorrect: У меня мания читать книги.
  Correct: У меня увлечение читать книги.
  Explanation: "мания" implies an unhealthy obsession, while "увлечение" is appropriate for a normal interest.
• Error: Misusing "помешательство" in casual contexts.
  Incorrect: Это мое помешательство — готовить еду.
  Correct: Это мое увлечение — готовить еду.
  Explanation: "помешательство" is too strong for everyday hobbies and suggests irrationality.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of a "craze" or "увлечение" often ties to collective trends, especially among youth. For example, during the Soviet era, certain Western trends became underground "crazes" due to restricted access. Terms like "мания" or "помешательство" might be used more critically in Russian to describe excessive or socially frowned-upon obsessions.

Related Concepts:

• мода (fashion/trend)
• страсть (passion)
• одержимость (obsession)