Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'deplorable'

English Word: deplorable

Key Russian Translations:

• постыдный [pɐˈstɨdnɨj] - [Formal; used for moral condemnation]
• жалкий [ˈʐalkʲɪj] - [Informal; often implies pity rather than outright shame]
• гнусный [ˈɡnusnɨj] - [Formal; emphasizes disgust or vileness]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary, journalistic, and everyday discussions of ethics or social issues, but not as frequent as basic adjectives)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of nuanced adjectives and context; for "жалкий", it might be A2 for beginners due to simpler connotations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

постыдный: [pɐˈstɨdnɨj]

Note on постыдный: The stress falls on the second syllable ("stɨ"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to Russian's vowel reduction in unstressed positions. Pronunciation varies slightly in fast speech.

жалкий: [ˈʐalkʲɪj]

Note on жалкий: The initial "ж" is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the "s" in "measure"; ensure soft pronunciation of the "л" as [lʲ].

гнусный: [ˈɡnusnɨj]

Note on гнусный: The "г" is a voiced velar fricative, which might sound guttural; focus on the nasal quality of "ну".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Worthy of strong condemnation or moral disapproval (e.g., describing something shameful or unethical).

Translation(s) & Context:

• постыдный - Used in formal or written contexts, such as essays or news, to highlight moral failings.
• гнусный - Applied in contexts involving disgust, like criminal acts, but less common in everyday speech.

Usage Examples:

• Это постыдное поведение, которое нельзя игнорировать. (Eto postydnoe povedenie, kotoroe nelzya ignorirovat'.)

  This is deplorable behavior that cannot be ignored. (Demonstrates use in a formal ethical discussion.)

• Война приводит к гнусным последствиям для ни в чем не повинных людей. (Voyna privodit k gnusnym posledstviyam dlya ni v chem ne vinovnykh lyudey.)

  War leads to deplorable consequences for innocent people. (Shows application in a broader social context.)

• Его жалкий вид вызвал сочувствие, но не оправдание. (Yego zhalkiy vid vyzval sochuvstvie, no ne opravdanie.)

  His deplorable appearance evoked sympathy but not justification. (Illustrates a more informal, pity-focused usage.)

• Постыдные условия в тюрьме шокировали общественность. (Postydnye usloviya v tyurme shokirovali obschestvennost'.)

  The deplorable conditions in the prison shocked the public. (Example in a descriptive, journalistic context.)

• Гнусный план был раскрыт до его реализации. (Gnusnyy plan byl raskryt do yego realizatsii.)

  The deplorable plan was uncovered before its implementation. (Highlights a context of vileness and prevention.)

Meaning 2: In a pitiful or wretched state (e.g., describing something in poor condition).

Translation(s) & Context:

• жалкий - Common in informal speech or literature to describe physical or emotional wretchedness.

Usage Examples:

• Жалкий дом на окраине города нуждается в ремонте. (Zhalkiy dom na okrainy goroda nuzhdaetsya v remonte.)

  The deplorable house on the outskirts of the city needs repairs. (Shows use in describing physical state.)

• Ее жалкий вид после аварии тронул всех. (Yeyo zhalkiy vid posle avarii tronul vsekh.)

  Her deplorable appearance after the accident touched everyone. (Illustrates emotional context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations ("постыдный", "жалкий", "гнусный") are adjectives, which follow standard Russian adjective inflection patterns. Russian adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify. They have full and short forms, but the short form is less common.

These adjectives are regular and do not have irregular inflections, making them straightforward for learners once basic patterns are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: позорный [pozornyy] (more emphatic, implying public shame); мерзкий [merzkiy] (disgusting, similar to гнусный)
• Antonyms: похвальный [pokhvalnyy] (praiseworthy); достойный [dostoynyy] (worthy)

Related Phrases:

• Постыдный акт (Postydnyy akt) - A deplorable act; used in legal or moral discussions to denote shameful behavior.
• Жалкий вид (Zhalkiy vid) - A deplorable appearance; common in everyday language for describing someone's poor state.
• Гнусный замысел (Gnusnyy zamysel) - A deplorable scheme; implies a vile plan in narrative contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Постыдный" is the closest direct equivalent to "deplorable" in formal contexts, emphasizing moral judgment, while "жалкий" leans towards pity and is better for informal or emotional descriptions. Choose based on context: use "гнусный" for situations involving revulsion. Be aware of Russian adjective agreement rules, as they must match the noun's gender, number, and case. In spoken Russian, these words can carry strong emotional weight, so they are often used in persuasive or rhetorical speech.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "жалкий" interchangeably with "постыдный", thinking they mean the same thing. Correct: "Жалкий" implies pity (e.g., "жалкий человек" = a pitiful person), while "постыдный" means shameful (e.g., "постыдный поступок" = a deplorable act). Explanation: This confusion arises from overlapping English nuances; always check the context to avoid softening the intended criticism.

• Error: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., saying "постыдный женщина" instead of "постыдная женщина". Correct: "Постыдная женщина" (feminine form). Explanation: Russian requires agreement, so learners must identify the noun's gender first.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "постыдный" often appear in literature and media to critique social or political issues, reflecting a historical emphasis on moral integrity (e.g., in works by Dostoevsky). They can carry connotations of collective shame, especially in discussions of national events, helping to convey deeper societal values.

Related Concepts:

• скандальный (skandalnyy)
• неприемлемый (nepriyemlemyy)
• позор (pozor)