Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'glutton'

English Word: glutton

Key Russian Translations:

• обжора [ɐbˈʐorə] - [Informal, often used in everyday speech to describe excessive eating]
• чревоугодник [t͡ɕrʲɪvəʊˈuɡədnʲɪk] - [Formal, literary or religious contexts, implying moral excess]
• прожорливый [prəʐɐrˈlʲivɨj] - [Adjective form, Informal, when describing behavior rather than a person]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in casual conversations about food, health, or criticism, but not in formal or everyday neutral contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and contextual nuances, with variations in formality making it moderately challenging for learners)

Pronunciation (Russian):

обжора: [ɐbˈʐorə]

чревоугодник: [t͡ɕrʲɪvəʊˈuɡədnʲɪk]

прожорливый: [prəʐɐrˈlʲivɨj]

Note on обжора: The 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in English 'measure', and can be tricky for beginners; stress falls on the second syllable.

Note on чревоугодник: Pronounce the initial 'ч' as a voiceless palatal fricative, like 'ch' in 'church'; this word has a more archaic feel.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person who eats or drinks excessively (primary meaning).

Translation(s) & Context:

• обжора - Used in informal, everyday contexts, such as family discussions or light-hearted criticism, to describe habitual overeating.
• чревоугодник - Applied in more formal or moralistic contexts, like literature or religious texts, emphasizing gluttony as a vice.
• прожорливый - Used as an adjective in descriptive sentences, often in informal settings to modify nouns or behaviors.

Usage Examples:

• Мой брат – настоящий обжора; он всегда берет добавку на ужине.

  My brother is a real glutton; he always takes seconds at dinner.

• В старых русских сказках чревоугодник часто наказывается за свою жадность.

  In old Russian folktales, a glutton is often punished for their greed.

• Она прожорливая, как обжора, и никогда не отказывается от десерта.

  She is as gluttonous as a glutton and never turns down dessert.

• Обжора в нашей компании всегда заказывает слишком много еды в ресторане.

  The glutton in our group always orders way too much food at the restaurant.

• Чревоугодник из романа Толстого символизирует пороки общества.

  The glutton in Tolstoy's novel symbolizes the vices of society.

Secondary meaning: Someone who is excessively greedy (in a broader sense, though less common).

Translation(s) & Context:

• прожорливый - In contexts involving not just food but resources, e.g., in business or daily life, to imply wasteful consumption.

Usage Examples:

• Этот прожорливый бизнесмен скупает все акции, словно обжора на пиру.

  This gluttonous businessman buys up all the stocks, like a glutton at a feast.

• Прожорливый ребенок тратит карманные деньги на сладости, не думая о будущем.

  The gluttonous child spends pocket money on sweets without thinking about the future.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"обжора" is a masculine noun that follows the standard first declension pattern for Russian nouns. It changes based on case and number. "чревоугодник" is also masculine and follows a similar pattern. "прожорливый" is an adjective and agrees with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and case.

Note: These words do not have irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward once basic declension rules are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: чревоугодник (more formal, with a moral connotation), прожорливый (adjective for behavior), обжорство (noun for the act)
• Antonyms: воздержанный (restrained, especially in eating), умеренный (moderate)

Explanation: "чревоугодник" as a synonym emphasizes ethical aspects, while "воздержанный" is often used in health or dietary contexts to contrast with gluttony.

Related Phrases:

• объедаться до отвала - Meaning: To eat until completely full, often implying gluttony in social settings.
• чревоугодие - Meaning: The sin of gluttony, used in religious or philosophical discussions.
• прожорливый аппетит - Meaning: An insatiable appetite, describing someone with gluttonous tendencies.

Usage Notes:

"Обжора" directly corresponds to the English "glutton" in informal contexts but carries a slightly humorous or derogatory tone in Russian, so use it cautiously in conversations. "Чревоугодник" is more aligned with formal or biblical references and should be chosen when discussing moral excesses. For adjectives like "прожорливый," ensure agreement with the noun in gender, number, and case. In general, these words are more common in spoken Russian than written, and learners should note regional variations in pronunciation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "обжора" in formal writing, e.g., saying "Он обжора" instead of "Он чревоугодник" in a literary context. Correct: "Он чревоугодник" – Explanation: "Обжора" is too casual and may sound inappropriate in serious discussions.

• Error: Failing to decline the noun, e.g., saying "Я видел обжора" instead of "Я видел обжору" in accusative case. Correct: "Я видел обжору" – Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook.

• Error: Confusing with "жадный" (greedy), assuming it means the same as "glutton." Correct: Use "обжора" for eating specifically – Explanation: "Жадный" refers to general greed, not just food.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, gluttony is often linked to traditional folklore and proverbs, such as "Не все коту масленица" (Not every day is a feast), emphasizing moderation. Words like "чревоугодник" draw from Orthodox Christian teachings, where excess is seen as a sin, reflecting historical influences on language and social norms.

Related Concepts:

• жадность (greed)
• воздержание (abstinence)
• объедение (overindulgence)