Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'decadence'

English Word: decadence

Key Russian Translations:

• Декаденция /dʲɪkɐˈdʲentsɨə/ - [Formal, often used in literary or cultural contexts]
• Упадок /ʊˈpadək/ - [Formal or Neutral, applicable to moral or societal decline]
• Распад /rɐˈspad/ - [Formal, emphasizing collapse or disintegration]

Frequency: Medium - This term is not everyday vocabulary but appears in discussions of literature, history, and philosophy.

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) - Requires familiarity with advanced vocabulary and cultural concepts; for "Декаденция", it may be C1 (Advanced) due to its specific historical connotations.

Pronunciation (Russian):

Декаденция: /dʲɪkɐˈdʲentsɨə/ (Note the soft 'д' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers; stress on the third syllable.)

Упадок: /ʊˈpadək/ (Emphasize the 'у' as a short vowel, with stress on the second syllable.)

Распад: /rɐˈspad/ (The 'р' is rolled; stress on the second syllable.)

Note on Декаденция: Be cautious with the palatalized consonants; in fast speech, it may sound like /dʲɪkəˈdʲentsɨə/.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Moral or cultural decline, often involving excess and indulgence

Translation(s) & Context:

• Декаденция - Used in formal discussions of art, literature, or societal decay, such as in historical analyses.
• Упадок - Applied in neutral or everyday contexts to describe ethical or moral deterioration.

Usage Examples:

• В эпоху декаденции искусство часто отражало темы распада и отчаяния.

  In the era of decadence, art often reflected themes of decay and despair.

• Этот роман изображает упадок морали в высшем обществе XIX века.

  This novel depicts the moral decadence in high society during the 19th century.

• Декаденция моды 1920-х годов привела к эксцентричным стилям в одежде.

  The decadence of fashion in the 1920s led to eccentric clothing styles.

• После войны наступил упадок, когда люди потеряли веру в традиционные ценности.

  After the war, decadence set in as people lost faith in traditional values.

• В литературе декаденции авторы исследуют тёмные стороны человеческой натуры.

  In decadent literature, authors explore the dark sides of human nature.

Meaning 2: Physical or societal collapse, such as in architecture or empires

Translation(s) & Context:

• Распад - Common in contexts involving structural breakdown or end of systems.
• Упадок - Used metaphorically for gradual decline in physical or organizational settings.

Usage Examples:

• Распад империи был неизбежен из-за внутренней декаденции.

  The collapse of the empire was inevitable due to internal decadence.

• Город переживал упадок, когда старые здания рушились от времени.

  The city was experiencing decadence as old buildings crumbled over time.

• Экономический распад привёл к социальной декаденции в регионе.

  Economic collapse led to social decadence in the region.

• В период упадка культуры многие традиции были забыты.

  During the period of cultural decadence, many traditions were forgotten.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Most key translations like "Декаденция" (feminine noun) and "Упадок" (masculine noun) follow standard Russian inflection patterns. "Распад" is also a masculine noun with regular changes.

Note: These are regular inflections; "Декаденция" does not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Деградация (degradation) - Similar to "Упадок" but with a focus on worsening quality.
  • Разложение (decomposition) - Often used for physical or moral breakdown, akin to "Распад".
  • Порок (vice) - For moral aspects of "Декаденция".
• Antonyms:
  • Восхождение (ascent)
  • Прогресс (progress)
  • Моральность (morality)

Related Phrases:

• Культурная декаденция - Cultural decadence; refers to the decline in artistic standards.
• Моральный упадок - Moral decadence; used in ethical discussions.
• Эпоха распада - Era of collapse; describes periods of societal breakdown.
• Литература декаденции - Literature of decadence; a specific movement in Russian literature.

Usage Notes:

"Декаденция" directly mirrors the English term, especially in cultural contexts, and is preferred in formal writing. "Упадок" is more versatile for everyday moral or societal decline but avoids the artistic connotations of "Декаденция". When choosing between translations, consider the context: use "Распад" for literal breakdowns. Grammatically, these nouns require appropriate case agreements with adjectives or verbs. For English speakers, note that Russian often pairs these with prepositions like "в" (in) for states or "из-за" (due to) for causes.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Декаденция" interchangeably with "Упадок" without context. Correct: "Декаденция" is specific to cultural excess, while "Упадок" is broader. Example of error: Saying "Экономический декаденция" (incorrect); Correct: "Экономический упадок". Explanation: "Декаденция" implies artistic or intellectual decline, not just economic.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Correct: In genitive, say "из-за декаденции" instead of "из-за декаденция". Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "Декаденция" is linked to the late 19th-early 20th century Decadent movement, influenced by figures like Oscar Wilde and reflected in works by Russian Symbolists such as Valery Bryusov. It often carries connotations of rebellion against traditional values, symbolizing both artistic innovation and societal critique, which adds depth to its usage in modern discussions.

Related Concepts:

• Символизм (Symbolism)
• Модернизм (Modernism)
• Расцвет (Bloom or prosperity)
• Деградация общества (Societal degradation)