Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'filth'

English Word: filth

Key Russian Translations:

• грязь [ɡrʲazʲ] - [Informal; commonly used in everyday contexts for physical or metaphorical dirt]
• нечистота [nʲɪˈt͡ɕɪstətə] - [Formal; often in medical or scientific contexts]
• мерзость [mʲɪrˈzostʲ] - [Informal; specifically for moral or ethical filth, such as obscenity]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations are encountered in daily conversation, literature, and media, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary like "water".)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun inflections and contextual nuances, per CEFR standards. For 'грязь', it's B1; for 'нечистота', it might edge toward B2 due to formal usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

грязь: [ɡrʲazʲ]

нечистота: [nʲɪˈt͡ɕɪstətə]

мерзость: [mʲɪrˈzostʲ]

Note on грязь: The 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like a soft 'g' in "go", but with a slight guttural quality. Variations in regional accents may soften the 'з' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Literal Meaning: Physical dirt or uncleanliness

Translation(s) & Context:

• грязь - Used in everyday situations to describe actual dirt, such as on surfaces or in environments; common in informal speech.
• нечистота - Applied in more formal or technical contexts, like hygiene or sanitation.

Usage Examples:

• На улице после дождя всюду грязь.

  On the street after the rain, there's filth everywhere.

• Эта грязь на кухне привлекает насекомых.

  This filth in the kitchen attracts insects.

• Из-за нечистоты в доме мы заболели.

  Because of the filth in the house, we got sick.

• Грязь с улицы налипла на обувь.

  The filth from the street stuck to the shoes.

Metaphorical Meaning: Moral or ethical obscenity, vulgarity

Translation(s) & Context:

• мерзость - Used for something repulsive in a moral sense, like explicit content; informal and expressive.
• грязь - Can extend to metaphorical filth, such as in discussions of corruption or indecency.

Usage Examples:

• Эта книга полна мерзости и не подходит для детей.

  This book is full of filth and isn't suitable for children.

• В политике слишком много грязи и коррупции.

  In politics, there's too much filth and corruption.

• Интернет полон мерзости, которую нужно фильтровать.

  The internet is full of filth that needs to be filtered.

• Грязь в средствах массовой информации шокирует общество.

  The filth in the media shocks society.

• Такая мерзость не должна быть в публичном пространстве.

  Such filth shouldn't be in the public domain.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily nouns. 'Грязь' is a feminine noun in the third declension, which follows standard patterns but has irregularities in plural forms. 'Нечистота' is also feminine and follows first declension rules. 'Мерзость' is feminine and second declension. Below is a table for 'грязь' as an example; others are similar but with minor variations.

For 'нечистота', it is invariable in some contexts but follows standard feminine patterns. 'Мерзость' has no major irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • грязь (similar to 'filth' as dirt, but more neutral)
  • нечистота (formal synonym, often used in hygiene contexts)
  • пошлость (implies vulgarity, with a connotation of tastelessness)
• Antonyms:
  • чистота (cleanliness, directly opposite to physical filth)
  • благородство (nobility, opposite to moral filth)

Related Phrases:

• Грязные руки - A common phrase meaning "dirty hands," often metaphorically for involvement in wrongdoing; used in contexts of guilt or corruption.
• Полная грязи - Means "full of filth," referring to something contaminated or morally depraved.
• Мерзость жизни - An idiomatic expression for "the filth of life," describing the unpleasant aspects of existence, often in literature.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'filth' translations like 'грязь' are versatile but context-dependent: use 'грязь' for everyday dirt and 'мерзость' for ethical implications to match the English nuance. Be mindful of gender agreements in sentences, as these are feminine nouns (e.g., "эта грязь" for "this filth"). In formal writing, opt for 'нечистота' to avoid sounding casual. English speakers might confuse it with 'dirty' (грязный), which is an adjective, so ensure the noun form is used correctly.

• Choose 'мерзость' for emotional intensity in metaphorical contexts.
• Avoid overusing in polite conversation, as it can carry strong negative connotations.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse inflections: for example, incorrectly saying "гряз" instead of "грязь" in nominative singular, which sounds incomplete. Correct usage: "Это грязь" (This is filth), not "Это грязи." Another error is confusing it with adjectives, like using "грязь" when "грязный" (dirty) is needed, e.g., "грязь дом" instead of "грязный дом." Explanation: Russian nouns require proper case endings, so always check the context for genitive or accusative forms to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'грязь' and 'мерзость' often appear in literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works) to symbolize moral decay or societal issues, reflecting historical themes of purification and redemption in Russian Orthodoxy. This adds a layer of depth, where 'filth' isn't just physical but a metaphor for spiritual uncleanliness, influencing expressions in art and daily life.

Related Concepts:

• чистота
• загрязнение
• пошлость
• коррупция