Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'flattery'

English Word: flattery

Key Russian Translations:

• льст [lʲst] - [Informal, used in everyday contexts]
• прихлебательство [prʲɪx.lʲɪ.bə.tʲɪlʲ.stvə] - [Formal, literary or critical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, conversations, and media but not as frequent as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and contextual nuances, with "льст" being slightly easier and "прихлебательство" more challenging due to its length and formality)

Pronunciation (Russian):

льст: [lʲst]

прихлебательство: [prʲɪx.lʲɪ.bə.tʲɪlʲ.stvə]

Note on льст: The initial [lʲ] sound is a palatalized 'l', which can be tricky for English speakers; it sounds softer than the English 'l' in "love". Pronounce it with the tongue touching the alveolar ridge while slightly raising it toward the palate.

Note on прихлебательство: This word has multiple syllables; stress falls on the third syllable ("bə"), and the [x] is a guttural sound like in Scottish "loch".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Excessive or insincere praise

Translation(s) & Context:

• льст - Used in informal settings, such as casual conversations about social interactions.
• прихлебательство - Applied in formal or written contexts, like essays or critiques, to denote obsequious behavior.

Usage Examples:

• Его льст раздражала меня, потому что она была явно неискренней. (His flattery annoyed me because it was obviously insincere.)

  English Translation: His flattery annoyed me because it was obviously insincere.

• В политике прихлебательство часто используется для получения выгоды. (In politics, flattery is often used to gain advantages.)

  English Translation: In politics, flattery is often used to gain advantages. This example shows the word in a broader, strategic context.

• Она не терпит льст от коллег, предпочитая честные отзывы. (She doesn't tolerate flattery from colleagues, preferring honest feedback.)

  English Translation: She doesn't tolerate flattery from colleagues, preferring honest feedback. Here, it's used in a professional setting.

• Прихлебательство в отношениях может разрушить доверие со временем. (Flattery in relationships can erode trust over time.)

  English Translation: Flattery in relationships can erode trust over time. This demonstrates a personal, emotional context.

• Его речь была полна льст, но аудитория быстро разоблачила её. (His speech was full of flattery, but the audience quickly saw through it.)

  English Translation: His speech was full of flattery, but the audience quickly saw through it. This highlights the word in a public speaking scenario.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"льст" is a feminine noun in Russian, following the standard first declension pattern with regular inflections. It changes based on case and number. "прихлебательство" is also a neuter noun and follows a similar pattern but is less commonly inflected due to its abstract nature.

Note: These forms are regular, but always check context for proper usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • подхалимаж [pədxɐlʲɪmaʐ] (more intense, implying sycophancy)
  • льстивость [lʲstʲɪvəstʲ] (emphasizing the flattering quality)
• Antonyms:
  • честность [t͡ɕʲɪstnəstʲ] (honesty, direct opposite)
  • критика [krʲɪtʲɪkə] (criticism, contrasting with praise)

Related Phrases:

• льстить ушам [lʲstʲɪtʲ uʂɐm] - Literal: "to flatter the ears"; Meaning: To say pleasing but insincere things.
• прихлебатель в обществе [prʲɪx.lʲɪ.bə.tʲɪlʲ.ʂʲ v ɐpɕʲʂʲɪstvʲɪ] - Meaning: A flatterer in society; refers to someone who uses flattery socially for gain.
• не поддаваться на льст [nʲɪ pəddɐ.vɐ.t͡sə nɐ lʲst] - Meaning: Not to give in to flattery; a common expression for resisting insincere praise.

Usage Notes:

• "льст" is the most direct equivalent to "flattery" in informal English-Russian contexts, but it carries a slightly negative connotation, similar to "bootlicking." Use it in spoken language or casual writing.
• "прихлебательство" is more formal and is often reserved for literary or analytical discussions, making it a better match for academic English contexts.
• Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences; as a feminine noun, it must agree with adjectives and verbs accordingly (e.g., "Эта льст вредна" – This flattery is harmful).
• When choosing between translations, opt for "льст" in everyday scenarios and "прихлебательство" when emphasizing manipulation or insincerity in professional settings.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "льст" with the verb "льстить" (to flatter), leading to incorrect sentence structure. For example, English learners might say "Я льст" instead of "Я пользуюсь льстью."
  Correct: Use "льст" as a noun only; e.g., "Его льст не сработала" (His flattery didn't work).
  Explanation: "льстить" is a verb, so ensure proper part of speech alignment.
• Error: Forgetting declensions, such as using nominative in all cases; e.g., saying "без льст" instead of "без льсти" (without flattery).
  Correct: "Без льсти" in genitive case.
  Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English lacks, so practice with tables to avoid this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, flattery (e.g., "льст") is often viewed with suspicion, stemming from historical contexts like the Soviet era where excessive praise could indicate insincerity or hidden agendas. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on authenticity and directness in communication, contrasting with more polite but indirect styles in some Western cultures.

Related Concepts:

• подхалим [pədxɐlʲɪm] (sycophant)
• комплимент [kəmplʲɪmʲɛnt] (compliment, but with a more positive connotation)
• лицемерие [lʲɪt͡sʲɪmʲɛrʲɪjə] (hypocrisy)