Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'heinous'

English Word: heinous

Key Russian Translations:

• гнусный /ˈɡnusnɨj/ - [Formal, often used in literary or legal contexts]
• позорный /pɐˈzornɨj/ - [Informal, emphasizing shame or disgrace]

Frequency: Medium (Common in formal writing and discussions about morality, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjectives and nuanced vocabulary, though basic forms are straightforward)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гнусный: /ˈɡnusnɨj/

Note on гнусный: The stress is on the first syllable; the 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in rapid speech.

позорный: /pɐˈzornɨj/

Note on позорный: Stress falls on the second syllable; the 'з' is a voiced alveolar fricative, similar to 'z' in English "zoo".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Extremely wicked, vile, or morally reprehensible (often describing actions or behaviors).

Translation(s) & Context:

• гнусный - Used in formal, literary, or legal contexts to denote something deeply offensive or abominable, such as a crime.
• позорный - Applied in more everyday or informal situations to highlight disgrace, but can overlap with heinous in severity.

Usage Examples:

• Это был гнусный поступок, который шокировал всю страну.

  This was a heinous act that shocked the entire country.

• Гнусный замысел преступника был раскрыт полицией.

  The heinous scheme of the criminal was uncovered by the police.

• Позорный инцидент в истории оставил неизгладимый след.

  The heinous incident in history left an indelible mark.

• Его позорные действия не могут быть оправданы никакими обстоятельствами.

  His heinous actions cannot be justified by any circumstances.

• Гнусный обман разрушил доверие между друзьями.

  The heinous deception destroyed trust between friends.

Meaning: Atrocious or hateful in a less formal sense (e.g., describing personal offenses).

Translation(s) & Context:

• гнусный - Suitable for emphasizing moral disgust in narratives or opinions.
• позорный - Often used in emotional or conversational settings to express public shame.

Usage Examples:

• Её гнусные слова ранили меня до глубины души.

  Her heinous words wounded me to the core.

• Позорное поведение на вечеринке стало темой разговоров.

  The heinous behavior at the party became the talk of the town.

• Гнусный юмор в фильме не всем пришёлся по вкусу.

  The heinous humor in the film wasn't to everyone's taste.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "гнусный" and "позорный" are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for short and long forms.

Note: These follow regular adjective declension patterns. No irregularities, but ensure agreement with the noun in all cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мерзкий (merzkyy) - Similar to heinous but often implies disgust; used for something vile or repulsive.
  • отвратительный (otravitel'nyy) - Emphasizes revulsion; slightly more intense in everyday contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • благородный (blagorodnyy) - Noble or honorable, contrasting the moral depravity.
  • добродетельный (dobrodetel'nyy) - Virtuous, highlighting the opposite ethical quality.

Related Phrases:

• Гнусный обман - A heinous deception; used in contexts of fraud or betrayal.
• Позорное пятно - A heinous stain (figuratively, on one's reputation); common in discussions of scandals.
• Гнусный заговор - A heinous conspiracy; often in historical or political narratives.

Usage Notes:

"Гнусный" is the closest direct translation for "heinous" in formal contexts, such as legal or literary discussions, due to its emphasis on moral repugnance. "Позорный" is better for situations involving public shame or informal criticism. Be mindful of context: Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they describe. For English learners, choose "гнусный" when the evil is profound and calculated, and "позорный" for more emotional or social implications. Avoid overusing these in casual speech, as they carry a strong negative connotation.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "гнусный" with "грубый" (grubyy, meaning rude or coarse): Learners might use "грубый" for a heinous act, but it's less severe. Error: "Это грубый поступок." (This is incorrect for heinous.) Correct: "Это гнусный поступок." Explanation: "Грубый" implies impoliteness, not deep moral evil.

• Forgetting adjective agreement: Saying "гнусный женщина" instead of "гнусная женщина" (heinous woman). Error: "Гнусный женщина." Correct: "Гнусная женщина." Explanation: Adjectives must match the noun's gender; here, feminine requires "-ая".

• Overgeneralizing synonyms: Using "отвратительный" interchangeably with "гнусный", which can downplay the moral aspect. Error: "Отвратительный преступление." (Though grammatically correct, it's less precise.) Correct: "Гнусное преступление." Explanation: "Отвратительный" focuses on physical repulsion, not ethical horror.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "гнусный" often appear in literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works) to describe profound moral corruption, reflecting historical emphasis on ethical introspection in Russian society. It can carry a sense of existential dread, tied to themes of sin and redemption in Orthodox traditions, making it more than just descriptive—it's evocative of deeper human flaws.

Related Concepts:

• зло (zlo) - Evil
• преступление (prestupleniye) - Crime
• нравственный (nravstvennyy) - Moral