Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'cupidity'

English Word: cupidity

Key Russian Translations:

• жадность (ʐɐd.nəsʲtʲ) - [Formal, commonly used in literary or ethical contexts]
• алчность (ɐlʲt͡ɕ.nəsʲtʲ) - [Formal, often implies intense greed, used in philosophical or economic discussions]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations appear regularly in literature, media, and formal writing, but less so in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and nuanced vocabulary, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of Russian grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

жадность: ʐɐd.nəsʲtʲ

Note on жадность: The initial 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure' in English, but ensure to stress the second syllable. Variations may occur in regional dialects.

алчность: ɐlʲt͡ɕ.nəsʲtʲ

Note on алчность: The 'ч' is a voiceless palatal fricative, like the 'ch' in 'loch' in Scottish English; stress on the second syllable, and be mindful of the soft sign 'ь' affecting pronunciation.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Extreme greed for wealth or material things

Translation(s) & Context:

• жадность - Used in contexts involving personal character flaws, such as in moral or psychological discussions (e.g., in literature or self-help books).
• алчность - Applied in more intense scenarios, like economic greed or historical analyses, often in formal writing or debates.

Usage Examples:

• Его жадность не знала границ; он копил богатство, игнорируя нужды других.

  His cupidity knew no bounds; he hoarded wealth, ignoring the needs of others.

• Алчность бизнесмена привела к финансовому краху компании.

  The cupidity of the businessman led to the company's financial collapse.

• В истории часто подчеркивается, как жадность правителей приводила к войнам.

  History often highlights how the cupidity of rulers led to wars.

• Её алчность проявилась в бесконечном стремлении к власти и деньгам.

  Her cupidity manifested in an endless pursuit of power and money.

• Жадность может разрушить даже самые крепкие дружеские связи.

  Cupidity can destroy even the strongest friendships.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations, "жадность" and "алчность", are feminine nouns in Russian (third declension). They follow standard noun inflection patterns for case, number, and gender. "жадность" is invariable in plural forms as it typically refers to an abstract quality, but it changes by case in singular. Below is a table for "жадность" inflections; "алчность" follows a similar pattern.

For "алчность", the inflections are identical in structure: Nominative singular: алчность; Genitive singular: алчности, etc. These nouns do not have irregular forms but are not commonly pluralized due to their abstract nature.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • скупость (implies stinginess, often with a focus on reluctance to spend)
  • корыстолюбие (emphasizes self-interest and material gain)
• Antonyms:
  • щедрость (generosity, directly opposite in meaning)
  • бескорыстие (selflessness, highlighting lack of greed)

Related Phrases:

• Чрезмерная жадность - Excessive cupidity; often used in warnings about greed's dangers.
• Алчность к власти - Cupidity for power; common in political or historical contexts.
• Жадность до денег - Greed for money; a fixed expression in everyday discussions about materialism.

Usage Notes:

"Cupidity" translates most accurately to "жадность" in general contexts, but "алчность" is preferred when emphasizing intense or pathological greed, such as in economic or ethical debates. Both are formal and rarely used in casual speech; opt for them in written or academic settings. Grammatically, as feminine nouns, they require agreement in gender, number, and case with adjectives and verbs (e.g., "эта жадность" for "this cupidity"). When choosing between translations, consider the nuance: "жадность" is more neutral, while "алчность" conveys a stronger moral judgment.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "жадность" with "скупость": Learners might use "скупость" (stinginess) interchangeably, but it's less about desire and more about reluctance. Correct usage: Instead of saying "Его скупость привела к проблемам" for cupidity, say "Его жадность привела к проблемам" to focus on greed-driven actions. Error example: "Его скупость не знала границ" (incorrect for cupidity); Correct: "Его жадность не знала границ".
• Misinflecting the noun: Forgetting case endings, e.g., using nominative "жадность" in genitive contexts. Error example: "Из-за жадность" (wrong); Correct: "Из-за жадности". This stems from not applying Russian declension rules properly.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "жадность" often appear in literature and folklore, such as in fairy tales by Pushkin or folk stories, where greed leads to downfall, reflecting traditional values of community and modesty. "Алчность" may evoke historical contexts, like the greed of tsars or oligarchs in modern times, symbolizing the pitfalls of rapid economic changes in Russia.

Related Concepts:

• жадничать (to be greedy)
• корысть (self-interest)
• богатство (wealth)