Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fool'

English Word: fool

Key Russian Translations:

• дурак [ˈdurək] - [Informal, Masculine, Often used in everyday conversation to describe a silly or unwise person]
• дура [ˈdurə] - [Informal, Feminine, Equivalent for female subjects, with similar connotations]
• глупец [ˈglupʲɛts] - [Formal, Neutral gender, Used in more polite or literary contexts to imply foolishness without strong insult]

Frequency: Medium (Common in casual speech and literature, but varies by context; highly frequent in informal Russian dialogues)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of gender agreement and contextual nuances. For 'дурак' and 'дура', it's straightforward but context-dependent; 'глупец' may be easier for beginners due to its neutrality)

Pronunciation (Russian):

дурак: [ˈdurək]

дура: [ˈdurə]

глупец: [ˈglupʲɛts]

Note on дурак: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the final 'k' sound, which can soften in fast speech. Variations may occur in dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person who acts unwisely or lacks judgment

Translation(s) & Context:

• дурак - Used in informal settings, such as casual conversations or humor, to lightly mock someone's mistake without severe offense.
• дура - Applied specifically to females in the same context, emphasizing gender agreement in Russian nouns.
• глупец - Employed in formal writing or polite discussions to describe foolishness in a more refined manner, avoiding direct insult.

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда забывает ключи; он настоящий дурак. (He always forgets his keys; he's a real fool.)

  English: He always forgets his keys; he's a real fool.

• Моя подруга купила подделку, она же дура! (My friend bought a fake; she's such a fool!)

  English: My friend bought a fake; she's such a fool!

• В этой книге главный герой — глупец, который учится на ошибках. (In this book, the main character is a fool who learns from his mistakes.)

  English: In this book, the main character is a fool who learns from his mistakes.

• Не будь дураком, подумай перед тем, как действовать. (Don't be a fool; think before you act.)

  English: Don't be a fool; think before you act.

• Эта глупая ошибка стоила нам победы. (This foolish mistake cost us the victory.)

  English: This foolish mistake cost us the victory. (Here, 'глупец' implies a more general sense of folly.)

A jester or clown in historical or theatrical contexts

Translation(s) & Context:

• дурак - In cultural or historical references, like in Russian folklore, to describe a court jester or comedic figure.

Usage Examples:

• В старинных русских сказках дурак часто побеждает злодея. (In old Russian folktales, the fool often defeats the villain.)

  English: In old Russian folktales, the fool often defeats the villain.

• Этот актёр играет роль дурака в пьесе. (This actor plays the role of a fool in the play.)

  English: This actor plays the role of a fool in the play.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These words are primarily nouns and follow standard Russian declension patterns. 'Дурак' and 'дура' are third-declension nouns that change based on case, number, and gender. 'Глупец' is a masculine noun with regular patterns.

Note: These words do not change in plural forms as frequently in modern usage, but 'дураки' (plural of дурак) is common for groups.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • болван (more emphatic, implying stupidity)
  • идиот (stronger, often pejorative)
  • простак (neutral, suggesting naivety)
• Antonyms:
  • умный (smart, intelligent)
  • мудрый (wise, experienced)

Related Phrases:

• Дурак на дураке сидит и дурака валяет (A fool sits on a fool and plays the fool) - Refers to foolish behavior compounding; English explanation: Describes a situation where one person's folly enables another's.
• Не будь дураком (Don't be a fool) - A common admonition; English explanation: Used to advise against unwise actions.
• Глупец в маске (A fool in disguise) - Implies hidden foolishness; English explanation: Refers to someone pretending to be wise but acting foolishly.

Usage Notes:

'Fool' in English can be translated as 'дурак', 'дура', or 'глупец' in Russian, but selection depends on context, gender, and formality. For instance, 'дурак' is informal and masculine, so use it in casual speech but avoid in professional settings. Always ensure gender agreement in Russian sentences. If the context is humorous or literary, 'глупец' might be more appropriate. Common grammatical note: These nouns require correct case endings, e.g., in prepositional phrases like "о дураке" (about the fool).

Common Errors:

• Using 'дурак' for females: Error - Она дурак (incorrect); Correct - Она дура. Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in gender, so learners often forget this and use the masculine form universally.
• Overusing in formal contexts: Error - В докладе он глупец (awkward); Correct - Use 'неразумный' in formal writing. Explanation: 'Глупец' can sound outdated or overly dramatic; opt for synonyms to match tone.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'дурак' often appear in folktales and proverbs, where the 'fool' character (e.g., Ivan the Fool) represents cleverness through simplicity. This reflects a cultural trope of wisdom in apparent foolishness, differing from English connotations which might emphasize negativity more directly.

Related Concepts:

• глупость (foolishness)
• наивность (naivety)
• безрассудство (recklessness)