Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dishonourable'

English Word: dishonourable

Key Russian Translations:

• бесчестный [bʲɪsˈt͡ɕestnɨj] - [Formal; used in ethical or legal contexts]
• постыдный [pɐˈstɨdnɨj] - [Formal; often implies public shame]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, historical discussions, and ethical debates, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective inflections and formal vocabulary; for 'бесчестный', it's B2, while 'постыдный' is also B2 due to similar grammatical patterns)

Pronunciation (Russian):

бесчестный: [bʲɪsˈt͡ɕestnɨj]

Note on бесчестный: Pay attention to the 'ч' sound, which is a voiceless palatal fricative (similar to 'ch' in Scottish 'loch'). Stress falls on the third syllable.

постыдный: [pɐˈstɨdnɨj]

Note on постыдный: The 'ы' vowel is a centralized high vowel, which can be tricky for English speakers; stress is on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Lacking honor, integrity, or moral principles; often used to describe actions, behavior, or individuals that are shameful or unethical.

Translation(s) & Context:

• бесчестный - Used in formal or serious contexts, such as legal, historical, or moral discussions, to emphasize a breach of honor.
• постыдный - Applied in contexts involving public disgrace or social judgment, often with a connotation of embarrassment.

Usage Examples:

• Его бесчестные действия привели к потере доверия общества.

  His dishonourable actions led to a loss of public trust. (This example shows the word in a formal ethical context, describing behavior.)

• В истории есть множество примеров постыдных поступков, которые изменили судьбы наций.

  In history, there are many dishonourable deeds that changed the fates of nations. (Here, it illustrates historical usage with a broader scope.)

• Бесчестный политик был осужден за коррупцию.

  The dishonourable politician was convicted of corruption. (This demonstrates the word in a legal or political setting.)

• Постыдное поведение на работе может разрушить карьеру.

  Dishonourable behavior at work can ruin a career. (This example highlights social consequences and everyday professional contexts.)

• В литературе бесчестный герой часто становится антигероем.

  In literature, a dishonourable character often becomes an anti-hero. (This shows the word in cultural or narrative contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'бесчестный' and 'постыдный' are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for first-declension adjectives, with some irregularities in spelling. They agree with the nouns they modify.

Note: These adjectives do not change in predicative position (e.g., "Он бесчестен" - He is dishonourable), but they must agree when attributive.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • позорный (more emphasis on public humiliation; often used in emotional contexts)
  • недостойный (implies unworthiness, with a focus on moral standards)
• Antonyms:
  • честный (honest)
  • достойный (worthy)

Related Phrases:

• бесчестный поступок - A dishonourable act; used to describe unethical behavior in narratives or legal discussions.
• постыдное поведение - Shameful conduct; often in contexts of social norms or personal regret.
• бесчестная сделка - A dishonourable deal; refers to agreements that violate ethical standards.

Usage Notes:

'Бесчестный' is the most direct translation of 'dishonourable' and is preferred in formal or historical contexts, while 'постыдный' adds a layer of public shame. Both words are typically used in written Russian or formal speech; avoid them in casual conversations to prevent sounding overly dramatic. Grammatically, ensure the adjective agrees with the noun in gender, number, and case. When choosing between translations, use 'бесчестный' for moral integrity issues and 'постыдный' for socially embarrassing situations.

Common Errors:

• Using the adjective without proper inflection: For example, saying "бесчестный женщина" (incorrect) instead of "бесчестная женщина" (correct). Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with the noun's gender; this error stems from English's lack of gender agreement.
• Confusing with synonyms: Learners might overuse 'позорный' when 'бесчестный' is more appropriate, e.g., saying "позорный политик" for a dishonourable politician, which implies more public ridicule than moral failure. Correct usage: Stick to 'бесчестный' for ethical breaches.
• Overgeneralizing: Mistakenly using these words in positive contexts, like "бесчестный герой" to mean a flawed hero without negative connotation, which can confuse native speakers. Correct: Always pair with negative contexts for accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts of honor and dishonor are deeply rooted in historical traditions, such as those from the imperial era or Soviet times, where personal integrity could affect one's social standing. Words like 'бесчестный' often evoke themes from literature (e.g., in works by Tolstoy or Dostoevsky), reflecting the cultural emphasis on moral accountability and the consequences of shameful actions in community life.

Related Concepts:

• честность (honesty)
• достоинство (dignity)
• позор (shame)