Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Decadent'

English Word: Decadent

Key Russian Translations:

• декадентский [dʲɪkɐˈdʲentskʲɪj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• упаднический [ʊpɐˈdnʲitɕɪskʲɪj] - [Formal, Adjective, Often Negative Connotation]
• роскошный [rɐˈskoʂnɨj] - [Neutral, Adjective, Often Positive Connotation]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for "декадентский" and "упаднический"; B1 (Beginner-Intermediate) for "роскошный"

Pronunciation (Russian):

декадентский: [dʲɪkɐˈdʲentskʲɪj]

Note on декадентский: Stress falls on the third syllable. The "д" is soft due to the following "е".

упаднический: [ʊpɐˈdnʲitɕɪskʲɪj]

Note on упаднический: Stress on the second syllable. The "ч" is pronounced as a soft "ch".

роскошный: [rɐˈskoʂnɨj]

Note on роскошный: Stress on the second syllable. The "ш" is a hard, retroflex sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Relating to moral or cultural decline

Translation(s) & Context:

• декадентский - Used in literary or historical contexts to describe decay or decline.
• упаднический - Often used with a negative tone to criticize moral or societal decay.

Usage Examples:

• Его декадентский стиль жизни шокировал общество.

  His decadent lifestyle shocked society.

• Упаднические настроения были характерны для того времени.

  Decadent attitudes were typical of that era.

• Этот роман отражает декадентские идеи конца века.

  This novel reflects the decadent ideas of the end of the century.

2. Luxurious or indulgent

Translation(s) & Context:

• роскошный - Used in a positive or neutral sense to describe something lavish or extravagant.

Usage Examples:

• Мы наслаждались роскошным десертом в ресторане.

  We enjoyed a decadent dessert at the restaurant.

• Её платье выглядело роскошным и дорогим.

  Her dress looked decadent and expensive.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

декадентский & упаднический (Adjectives): These adjectives follow standard Russian adjective declension patterns based on gender, number, and case.

Case	Masculine (декадентский)	Feminine (декадентская)	Neuter (декадентское)	Plural (декадентские)
Nominative	декадентский	декадентская	декадентское	декадентские
Genitive	декадентского	декадентской	декадентского	декадентских

роскошный (Adjective): Follows similar adjective declension rules as above.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "декадентский/упаднический" (decline):

• разложившийся
• деградирующий

Note: "разложившийся" often implies moral decay, while "деградирующий" emphasizes ongoing decline.

Synonyms for "роскошный" (luxurious):

• пышный
• великолепный

Antonyms:

• аскетичный (ascetic, for "роскошный")
• прогрессивный (progressive, for "упаднический")

Related Phrases:

• декадентское искусство - Decadent art (refers to art associated with decline or decadence).
• роскошная жизнь - Decadent life (a life of luxury and indulgence).
• упаднические взгляды - Decadent views (views reflecting moral or cultural decline).

Usage Notes:

• "декадентский" is more specific to cultural or historical decadence and is rarely used in everyday speech.
• "упаднический" carries a stronger negative connotation and is often used in critical contexts.
• "роскошный" is the most versatile and commonly used translation when "decadent" refers to luxury or indulgence, such as in food or lifestyle descriptions.
• Choose the translation based on the tone and context: positive (luxury) vs. negative (decline).

Common Errors:

Error 1: Using "роскошный" in contexts of moral decline. This is incorrect as it lacks the negative connotation.

Incorrect: Его роскошные идеи разрушили общество. (His decadent ideas destroyed society.)

Correct: Его упаднические идеи разрушили общество.

Error 2: Misplacing stress in pronunciation, especially for "декадентский". Stressing the wrong syllable can make the word sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "decadence" (декаданс) is often associated with the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in literature and art (e.g., the Silver Age of Russian poetry). Terms like "декадентский" may evoke these historical and cultural associations, unlike the more neutral "роскошный", which focuses purely on luxury.

Related Concepts:

• декаданс (decadence as a movement)
• модернизм (modernism, often linked to decadent art)
• экстравагантность (extravagance, related to "роскошный")