Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gaffe'

English Word: gaffe

Key Russian Translations:

• оплошность [ɐˈpɫoʂnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal]
• ляп [lʲap] - [Informal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in written and spoken contexts, especially in literature or discussions about social etiquette, but not everyday casual speech).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding nuanced social contexts; for 'оплошность', it aligns with B1 due to formal vocabulary, while 'ляп' is slightly easier at A2 for informal use).

Pronunciation (Russian):

оплошность: [ɐˈpɫoʂnəsʲtʲ]

Note on оплошность: The 'ш' sound (as in [ʂ]) is a retroflex fricative, similar to 'sh' in 'shoe' but with a more rolled tongue; be careful with the stress on the second syllable.

ляп: [lʲap]

Note on ляп: The 'л' is palatalized ([lʲ]), which is a soft 'l' sound common in Russian; it's straightforward but can be tricky for English speakers used to non-palatalized 'l'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A social blunder or embarrassing mistake

Translation(s) & Context:

• оплошность - Used in formal or written contexts, such as professional settings or literature, to describe a polite but awkward error.
• ляп - Applied in informal, everyday conversations to denote a clumsy or humorous mistake.

Usage Examples:

• Он совершил оплошность, забыв имя гостя на приёме.

  He made a gaffe by forgetting the guest's name at the reception.

• Её ляп на вечеринке всех рассмешил, но она покраснела.

  Her gaffe at the party made everyone laugh, but she turned red.

• В дипломатии даже маленькая оплошность может привести к серьёзным последствиям.

  In diplomacy, even a small gaffe can lead to serious consequences.

• Мой ляп в разговоре с другом был безобидным, но забавным.

  My gaffe in the conversation with my friend was harmless but funny.

• Оплошность политика в интервью стала заголовком новостей.

  The politician's gaffe in the interview became the headline news.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'оплошность' is a feminine noun (3rd declension) and follows standard Russian noun inflections. It changes based on case and number. 'ляп' is also a masculine noun but is less inflected in casual use.

For 'оплошность' (feminine singular):

'ляп' is invariant in many contexts as an informal term, but as a masculine noun, it can inflect as: Nominative - ляп; Genitive - ляпа; etc. It is less commonly inflected due to its slang nature.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: ошибка (general mistake), прокол (blunder, often in a professional sense) - 'прокол' implies a more critical error than 'оплошность'.
• Antonyms: точность (accuracy) - Emphasizes precision and avoids any error.

Related Phrases:

• Сделать оплошность - To make a gaffe; used in formal contexts to describe unintentional social errors.
• Нарваться на ляп - To stumble into a blunder; an informal phrase implying a humorous or unexpected mistake.
• Оплошность в этикете - A gaffe in etiquette; highlights social norms in Russian culture.

Usage Notes:

'Оплошность' is the more precise translation for 'gaffe' in formal English-Russian correspondence, as it conveys a socially embarrassing mistake without vulgarity. Use 'ляп' for casual, everyday situations to match informal English equivalents. Be mindful of context: in Russian, these words often appear in narratives or critiques, and they may carry a tone of mild criticism. When choosing between translations, opt for 'оплошность' in written or professional settings, and 'ляп' in spoken language to align with Russian speakers' preferences for register.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'оплошность' in informal speech, which can sound overly formal or pretentious. Correct: Switch to 'ляп' for casual contexts, e.g., Incorrect: "Я сделал оплошность на вечеринке" (too stiff); Correct: "Я ляпнул на вечеринке" (more natural). Explanation: Russian speakers prioritize register to avoid awkwardness.
• Error: Misinflecting 'оплошность' in cases, such as using nominative in all positions. Correct: In genitive, say "из-за оплошности" instead of "из-за оплошность". Explanation: Proper inflection ensures grammatical accuracy in Russian sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, a 'gaffe' like 'оплошность' often ties to the importance of social etiquette and collectivism. For instance, in settings like formal gatherings or diplomatic events, such mistakes can reflect poorly on one's upbringing or group, emphasizing the cultural value of 'культура поведения' (culture of behavior). This contrasts with more individualistic societies where gaffes might be overlooked.

Related Concepts:

• этикет
• социальный промах
• культура общения