Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'disdain'

English Word: disdain

Key Russian Translations:

• презрение [prʲɪˈzre.nʲɪ.jə] - [Formal, Noun]
• презирать [prʲɪˈzʲi.rətʲ] - [Formal, Verb, Used in contexts expressing active contempt]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary, formal, or emotional contexts, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract emotions and nuanced vocabulary; for 'презрение', it's straightforward as a noun, but 'презирать' involves verb conjugation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

презрение: [prʲɪˈzre.nʲɪ.jə]

Note on презрение: The stress falls on the third syllable ('zre'), which is common in Russian neuter nouns; be careful with the soft 'н' sound.

презирать: [prʲɪˈzʲi.rətʲ]

Note on презирать: The verb has a soft 'з' in the root, and the infinitive ending is standard; pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A feeling of contempt or scorn for someone or something considered unworthy (Noun form).

Translation(s) & Context:

• презрение - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe a deep-seated feeling of disdain, often in philosophical or emotional discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Его презрение к несправедливости было очевидным.

  His disdain for injustice was evident.

• В её глазах читалось презрение к слабости.

  In her eyes, there was disdain for weakness.

• Презрение аристократов к простому народу было традицией.

  The disdain of aristocrats for the common people was a tradition.

• Это презрение к правилам часто приводит к проблемам.

  This disdain for rules often leads to problems.

2. To regard with contempt or scorn (Verb form).

Translation(s) & Context:

• презирать - Used as a verb in formal contexts to indicate an active rejection or looking down upon something, often in narratives or debates.

Usage Examples:

• Он презирал тех, кто предавал свои идеалы.

  He disdained those who betrayed their ideals.

• Она презирала несправедливость, но старалась не показывать этого.

  She disdained injustice but tried not to show it.

• Многие презирают слабость, но не все признают это.

  Many disdain weakness, but not everyone admits it.

• Презирать богатство не значит быть бедным.

  To disdain wealth does not mean to be poor.

• Он презирал рутину и всегда искал приключения.

  He disdained routine and always sought adventures.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'презрение' (neuter noun, second declension):

This noun follows standard neuter patterns with no irregularities. It is invariable in form for gender but changes by case and number.

For 'презирать' (first conjugation verb):

This verb is regular and follows the pattern for -ать verbs. It conjugates based on tense, aspect, and person.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: отвращение [Used for stronger disgust], пренебрежение [Milder, implying neglect rather than active contempt]
• Antonyms: уважение [Respect; implies admiration in contrast to disdain], любовь [Love; directly opposes negative emotions]

Related Phrases:

• с презрением смотреть - To look with disdain; Used in descriptions of facial expressions or attitudes.
• презирать кого-либо - To disdain someone; A common phrase in literary contexts for personal rejection.
• презрение к обществу - Disdain for society; Often appears in philosophical or social critiques.

Usage Notes:

'Презрение' directly corresponds to the noun form of 'disdain' and is best used in formal writing or speech, avoiding casual conversations to prevent sounding overly dramatic. 'Презирать' aligns with the verb form and should be conjugated based on subject and tense; choose it over synonyms like 'отвращение' when the contempt is intellectual rather than visceral. In Russian culture, these words often carry a literary connotation, so they are ideal for essays or novels but less common in everyday dialogue. When deciding between translations, consider the context: use 'презрение' for static feelings and 'презирать' for actions.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing 'презрение' with 'отвращение' and using it interchangeably. Correct: 'Презрение' implies intellectual contempt, while 'отвращение' suggests physical disgust. Example: Incorrect - "Я испытываю отвращение к несправедливости" (if you mean disdain, not nausea); Correct - "Я испытываю презрение к несправедливости".
• Mistake: Incorrect verb conjugation, e.g., saying 'презираю' as 'презират' in present tense. Correct: Always end with '-ю' for first person singular. Example: Incorrect - "Я презират это"; Correct - "Я презираю это". This error often stems from overgeneralizing English verb forms.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature, such as in the works of Dostoevsky, 'презрение' and 'презирать' often reflect themes of social inequality and moral judgment. For instance, characters in 19th-century novels frequently express disdain towards societal norms, highlighting cultural tensions between the elite and the masses. This adds a layer of historical depth, making these words more than mere translations—they evoke Russia's introspective literary tradition.

Related Concepts:

• ненависть
• пренебрежение
• гнев