Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dissolute'

English Word: dissolute

Key Russian Translations:

• распутный [rɐˈsputnɨj] - [Formal, often used in literary or moral discussions]
• развратный [rɐzˈvrɑtnɨj] - [Informal, emphasizes moral corruption]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature and formal writing, but less so in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections and nuanced vocabulary; for 'распутный', it's standard, but for 'развратный', similar rules apply)

Pronunciation (Russian):

распутный: [rɐˈsputnɨj]

Note on распутный: The stress falls on the second syllable ('pu'), which is a common feature in Russian adjectives. Be mindful of the soft 't' sound.

развратный: [rɐzˈvrɑtnɨj]

Note on развратный: The 'r' is rolled, and the vowel in the second syllable can vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Immoral or lacking in moral restraint

Translation(s) & Context:

• распутный - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe someone with loose morals, often implying a lifestyle of indulgence.
• развратный - Applied in more everyday or critical discussions, highlighting depraved behavior in social settings.

Usage Examples:

• Он жил распутной жизнью, игнорируя все социальные нормы.

  He lived a dissolute life, ignoring all social norms.

• Её развратные привычки стали причиной семейных конфликтов.

  Her dissolute habits became the cause of family conflicts.

• В романе главный герой изображён как распутный аристократ, погрязший в пороках.

  In the novel, the main character is depicted as a dissolute aristocrat mired in vices.

• Развратный образ жизни этого политика вызвал общественный скандал.

  The dissolute lifestyle of this politician caused a public scandal.

• Молодой человек, ведя распутную жизнь, потерял уважение друзей.

  The young man, leading a dissolute life, lost the respect of his friends.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'распутный' and 'развратный' are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern with some irregularities in certain forms. Below is a table for 'распутный' (the rules apply similarly to 'развратный'):

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular forms, but always agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: развратный (similar but more intense), порочный (vicious, often in moral contexts), греховный (sinful, with a religious connotation)
• Antonyms: добродетельный (virtuous), нравственный (moral), чистый (pure)

Related Phrases:

• распутный образ жизни - A dissolute way of life; often used to describe excessive indulgence in pleasures.
• развратные привычки - Dissolute habits; refers to persistent immoral behaviors in daily routines.
• погрязший в распутстве - Mired in dissoluteness; a phrase from literature indicating deep moral decay.

Usage Notes:

These translations, such as 'распутный', directly correspond to 'dissolute' in English by emphasizing a lack of moral restraint, but they are more commonly used in formal, literary, or judgmental contexts in Russian. Avoid using them in casual conversations to prevent sounding overly dramatic. When choosing between 'распутный' and 'развратный', opt for 'распутный' in neutral descriptions and 'развратный' for stronger accusations. Always ensure adjective agreement with the noun in gender, number, and case for grammatical accuracy.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the adjective without proper inflection, e.g., saying "распутный женщина" instead of "распутная женщина". Correct: Russian adjectives must agree with the noun; here, it should be feminine form "распутная" for "женщина" (woman).

• Error: Confusing with similar words like 'распущенный' (which means unkempt or loose), leading to misuse in moral contexts. Correct: Use 'распутный' for ethical implications, and explain the difference to avoid semantic errors.

• Error: Overusing in informal speech, which can make it sound unnatural. Correct: Reserve for written or formal settings, as in "Он вёл распутную жизнь" instead of everyday talk.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'распутный' often appear in classic literature, such as in Dostoevsky's novels, where they describe characters struggling with moral dilemmas. This reflects a historical emphasis on personal ethics and societal judgment, stemming from Orthodox Christian influences, and can carry a deeper connotation of spiritual downfall beyond mere behavioral description.

Related Concepts:

• грех (sin)
• мораль (morality)
• порок (vice)