Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dishonour'

English Word: dishonour

Key Russian Translations:

• позор [ˈpozər] - [Formal, often used in contexts of public or moral shame]
• бесчестие [bʲɪʂɕeˈstʲije] - [Formal, emphasizing loss of honor or integrity]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, formal discussions, and historical contexts, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and formal vocabulary; бесчестие may be slightly harder at B2 due to its less common usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

позор: [ˈpozər]

Note on позор: The stress falls on the first syllable; be careful with the 'o' sound, which is pronounced as in "pot." Variations in regional accents may soften the 'r' sound.

бесчестие: [bʲɪʂɕeˈstʲije]

Note on бесчестие: This word has a palatalized 's' sound (like 'sh' in "she"), and the stress is on the third syllable. It's a longer word, so practice syllable breaks for fluency.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To bring shame or loss of honor to someone or something

Translation(s) & Context:

• позор - Used in contexts involving public disgrace, such as scandals or moral failures.
• бесчестие - Applied in more abstract or formal settings, like legal or ethical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Его действия принесли позор всей семье.

  His actions brought dishonor to the entire family.

• Позор такого поступка очевиден для всех.

  The dishonor of such an act is obvious to everyone.

• Это бесчестие разрушило его репутацию.

  This dishonor destroyed his reputation.

• В истории России позор поражений часто вдохновлял реформы.

  In Russian history, the dishonor of defeats often inspired reforms.

Meaning 2: A state of being without honor or respect

Translation(s) & Context:

• позор - In noun form, referring to a shameful event or condition.
• бесчестие - Emphasizing a deeper, more enduring loss of integrity.

Usage Examples:

• Позор войны оставил неизгладимый след в их жизнях.

  The dishonor of war left an indelible mark on their lives.

• Бесчестие коррупции подрывает доверие общества.

  The dishonor of corruption undermines societal trust.

• Этот позор не забудется поколениями.

  This dishonor will not be forgotten by generations.

• Бесчестие предательства ощущается как глубокая рана.

  The dishonor of betrayal feels like a deep wound.

• В литературе позор часто служит катализатором для героев.

  In literature, dishonor often serves as a catalyst for heroes.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "позор" and "бесчестие" are masculine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard masculine declension patterns. "Позор" is a third-declension noun and inflects regularly, while "бесчестие" also inflects but is less common and can vary slightly in formal contexts.

Note: These nouns do not change for gender but must agree in case with other words in the sentence. If used in compounds or with adjectives, further adjustments may be needed.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: стыд [styd] (shame, more emotional); унижение [unizhenie] (humiliation, implying degradation)
• Antonyms: честь [chest'] (honor, directly opposite in formal contexts)

Related Phrases:

• Позор нации [Pozor natsii] - Disgrace to the nation; used in historical or political contexts to describe events that shame a country.
• Бесчестие чести [Beschestie chesti] - Dishonor of honor; a paradoxical phrase often in literature to highlight irony.
• Принести позор [Prinesli pozor] - To bring dishonor; a common expression in everyday formal speech.

Usage Notes:

"Позор" and "бесчестие" both translate to "dishonour," but "позор" is more versatile and commonly used in spoken and written Russian for immediate, public shame, while "бесчестие" is reserved for deeper, ethical or historical dishonor. In English, "dishonour" often carries a British spelling, but the concepts align closely. Be mindful of context: use "позор" in personal or social scenarios and "бесчестие" in formal or abstract ones. Grammatically, both nouns require case agreement, so learners should practice declensions to avoid errors in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "позор" interchangeably with "стыд" without considering nuance. For example, a learner might say "Я чувствую позор" when meaning "I feel ashamed," but "стыд" is more appropriate for personal emotion. Correct: Use "позор" for external dishonor, like "Это позор для общества."

• Error: Incorrect declension, such as saying "в позор" instead of "в позоре" in prepositional case. Explanation: Russian requires proper case endings; the correct form is "в позоре" (in dishonor), which helps the sentence flow naturally.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "позор" and "бесчестие" are deeply tied to themes of honor and collective identity, as seen in literature (e.g., Tolstoy's works) and history (e.g., the Great Patriotic War). Dishonor is often viewed as a communal issue, not just personal, reflecting Russia's emphasis on social harmony and historical resilience.

Related Concepts:

• честь [chest']
• достоинство [dostoinstvo]
• репутация [reputatsiya]