Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'foible'

English Word: foible

Key Russian Translations:

• причуда [prʲɪˈtʃʊdə] - [Informal, used for light-hearted or everyday descriptions of quirks]
• странность [strɐnˈnostʲ] - [Formal, often in literary or psychological contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in everyday conversation, literature, and psychology, but not as common as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract personality traits and nuanced vocabulary. For 'причуда', it may be slightly easier at B1 due to its informal use, while 'странность' aligns more with B2 for formal contexts.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

причуда: [prʲɪˈtʃʊdə]

Note on причуда: The stress falls on the second syllable ('тʃʊ'), which is common in Russian feminine nouns. Be mindful of the soft 'ч' sound, similar to the English 'ch' in 'church'.

странность: [strɐnˈnostʲ]

Note on странность: Stress on the third syllable ('nostʲ'), with a palatalized 'н' that can be tricky for learners. The 'тʲ' ending indicates a soft consonant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A minor weakness or eccentricity in someone's character

Translation(s) & Context:

• причуда - Typically used in informal, everyday contexts to describe harmless quirks, such as personal habits or behaviors.
• странность - Employed in more formal or analytical contexts, like psychology or literature, to denote peculiar traits that might be seen as odd or unexplained.

Usage Examples:

• Его причуда — всегда носить разноцветные носки, что забавляет друзей.

  His foible is always wearing mismatched socks, which amuses his friends.

• В её характере есть странность: она коллекционирует старые ключи без видимой причины.

  In her character, there's a foible: she collects old keys without any apparent reason.

• Причуда этого писателя проявляется в его эксцентричных сюжетах.

  This writer's foible shows in his eccentric plotlines.

• Такая странность в поведении может указывать на глубокие личностные особенности.

  Such a foible in behavior might indicate deeper personality traits.

• Не суди его строго; это просто причуда, а не серьёзный недостаток.

  Don't judge him harshly; it's just a foible, not a serious flaw.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'причуда' and 'странность' are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard first-declension patterns. 'Причуда' is a common noun that inflects regularly, while 'странность' also inflects but may vary slightly in formal usage.

These nouns do not have irregular inflections, making them straightforward for learners. Always adjust for gender and number agreement with adjectives and verbs in sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • каприз (kapriz) - Similar to 'причуда' but implies a more whimsical or capricious nature.
  • особенность (osobennost') - A neutral term for a unique trait, often used interchangeably with 'странность' in formal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • достоинство (dostoinstvo) - Highlights strengths or virtues, contrasting with any weakness implied by 'foible'.
  • норма (norma) - Refers to normal or standard behavior, opposing eccentricities.

Related Phrases:

• странная причуда - A strange foible; often used to describe an unusual habit in a light-hearted way.
• причуда характера - Foible of character; refers to personality quirks in psychological discussions.
• необъяснимая странность - Unexplainable foible; used for mysterious or puzzling behaviors.

Usage Notes:

'Foible' translates most directly to 'причуда' in informal settings, where it conveys a playful or affectionate tone, much like in English. For more formal or analytical contexts, 'странность' is preferable, as it aligns with discussions in literature or psychology. Be cautious with context: in Russian, these words can carry a slightly negative connotation if overused, so pair them with positive modifiers to maintain neutrality. When choosing between translations, opt for 'причуда' in everyday speech and 'странность' in written or professional scenarios. Grammatically, ensure agreement in gender, number, and case, as both are feminine nouns.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'причуда' with 'привычка' (habit): Learners might misuse 'привычка' thinking it means a minor flaw, but it simply means a routine. Correct usage: Say 'Его причуда — это странное хобби' (His foible is this strange hobby) instead of 'Его привычка — это странное хобби' (His habit is this strange hobby). Explanation: 'Привычка' lacks the eccentric connotation.

• Overlooking case inflections: For example, incorrectly using the nominative 'причуда' in a genitive context, like saying 'Я не люблю причуда' instead of 'Я не люблю причуду'. Correct: 'Я не люблю эту причуду' (I don't like this foible). Explanation: Russian requires precise case agreement for clarity.

• Using 'странность' too formally in casual talk: This can sound overly academic; opt for 'причуда' to avoid stiffness. Example error: 'Твоя странность раздражает' (Your foible annoys me) might come off as judgmental; better: 'Твоя причуда забавная' (Your foible is amusing).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'причуда' often appear in literature, such as in the works of Chekhov or Gogol, where eccentric behaviors reflect deeper human quirks. This reflects a cultural appreciation for individualism, but it can also hint at societal norms where such 'foibles' are tolerated yet scrutinized, especially in historical contexts like Soviet-era psychology.

Related Concepts:

• характер (character)
• личность (personality)
• недостаток (flaw)
• особенность (peculiarity)