Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'humiliating'

English Word: humiliating

Key Russian Translations:

• унизительный [u.nʲɪ.zʲɪˈtʲi.lʲn.ɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• позорный [pɐˈzor.nɨj] - [Informal, Often used in emotional contexts]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are encountered in literature, media, and everyday discussions about emotions, but not as commonly as basic vocabulary.

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) - Involves understanding adjectives with emotional connotations; for 'унизительный', it's B2, while 'позорный' might be slightly easier at B1 due to its more straightforward usage.

Pronunciation (Russian):

унизительный: [u.nʲɪ.zʲɪˈtʲi.lʲn.ɨj]

позорный: [pɐˈzor.nɨj]

Note on унизительный: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("tʲi"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized consonants; pronounce it with a soft 'l' sound.

Note on позорный: The 'o' in the first syllable is pronounced as a short, open vowel, similar to "paw" in English.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Causing someone to feel ashamed, embarrassed, or to lose dignity, often in social or personal contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• унизительный - Used in formal writing or discussions to describe situations that degrade someone's self-respect, such as in legal or psychological contexts.
• позорный - Applied in informal or emotional speech to express strong disapproval, like in everyday conversations about failures or scandals.

Usage Examples:

• Это было унизительное поражение для команды.

  This was a humiliating defeat for the team.

• Его унизительное поведение на публике шокировало всех.

  His humiliating behavior in public shocked everyone.

• Позорный инцидент в школе оставил у него глубокий след.

  The humiliating incident at school left a deep mark on him.

• Она чувствовала себя позорной после унизительного отказа.

  She felt humiliatingly rejected after the shameful refusal.

• Унизительное обращение с сотрудниками недопустимо в любой компании.

  Humiliating treatment of employees is unacceptable in any company.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'унизительный' and 'позорный' are adjectives, which in Russian inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for hard-stem adjectives.

For 'унизительный' (a hard-stem adjective):

For 'позорный' (also a hard-stem adjective, with similar patterns):

These adjectives do not have irregular forms but must agree with the noun in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • стыдный - Similar to 'shameful', often used interchangeably but with a focus on personal embarrassment.
  • унижающий - More active form, implying the act of humiliating.
• Antonyms:
  • гордый - Conveys pride or honor.
  • почетный - Means honorable or respected.

Related Phrases:

• унизительное обращение - Humiliating treatment; Used in contexts of abuse or discrimination.
• позорный поступок - Shameful act; Common in moral or ethical discussions.
• унижающее сравнение - Humiliating comparison; Often in psychological or social scenarios.

Usage Notes:

'Унизительный' is a more formal and precise translation of 'humiliating', ideal for written contexts like essays or reports, while 'позорный' is better for informal speech to express strong emotions. Always ensure the adjective agrees with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and case. For English speakers, note that Russian culture may emphasize collective shame, so these words can carry broader social implications. Choose 'унизительный' for situations involving dignity loss and 'позорный' for outright disgrace.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using the wrong gender form, e.g., saying "унизительная" for a masculine noun. Correct: Match it to the noun, like "унизительный человек". Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree, unlike English adjectives.
• Mistake: Confusing with verbs, e.g., using "унижать" (to humiliate) instead of the adjective. Correct: For 'humiliating' as an adjective, use "унизительный". Explanation: This changes the sentence structure and meaning.
• Mistake: Overusing in casual contexts; e.g., saying "позорный день" when a milder word suffices. Correct: Reserve for strong situations. Explanation: It can sound overly dramatic if not appropriate.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'унизительный' and 'позорный' often tie into concepts of honor and collective identity, influenced by historical events like the Soviet era. Expressing humiliation publicly can be seen as more taboo, emphasizing the importance of maintaining dignity in social interactions.

Related Concepts:

• стыд (shame)
• унижение (humiliation)
• позор (disgrace)