Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'humor'

English Word: humor

Key Russian Translations:

• юмор [ˈjumor] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday contexts like media and conversations]

Frequency: Medium (юмор is a borrowed word from English, frequently appearing in modern Russian media, literature, and casual speech, but less common in formal or classical texts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; it involves recognizing loanwords and basic noun inflections, which may challenge beginners but is straightforward for intermediate learners)

Pronunciation (Russian):

юмор: [ˈjumor]

Note on юмор: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'y' sound is similar to the English 'y' in "yes." Pronunciation can vary slightly by region, with a softer 'r' in some dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The quality of being amusing, comic, or witty (e.g., in entertainment or personality)

Translation(s) & Context:

• юмор - Used in informal and formal contexts to describe comedic elements, such as in jokes, films, or personal traits; common in everyday Russian speech.

Usage Examples:

• У него отличное чувство юмора, и он всегда умеет разрядить обстановку.

  He has a great sense of humor and always knows how to lighten the mood.

• Этот фильм полон юмора и сатиры, что делает его очень популярным.

  This film is full of humor and satire, which makes it very popular.

• В русской литературе юмор часто сочетается с иронией, как у Чехова.

  In Russian literature, humor is often combined with irony, as in Chekhov's works.

• Её юмор помог ей справиться со стрессом в трудные времена.

  Her humor helped her cope with stress during difficult times.

• Юмор в этой рекламе делает продукт более привлекательным для молодёжи.

  The humor in this advertisement makes the product more appealing to youth.

Meaning 2: Less common, archaic sense referring to bodily fluids (e.g., in historical medical contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• гумор (rarely used) - Primarily in historical or medical discussions; not informal and often replaced by more specific terms like "жидкости."

Usage Examples:

• В древней медицине гумор считался ключевым элементом здоровья.

  In ancient medicine, humor was considered a key element of health.

• Современная наука отвергает теорию четырёх гуморов.

  Modern science rejects the theory of the four humors.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For the primary translation "юмор," which is a masculine noun (мужской род), it follows standard Russian noun declension patterns. It is indeclinable in some contexts due to its borrowed nature, but typically inflects as a regular masculine noun ending in a consonant.

Note: For the less common "гумор," it follows similar masculine patterns but is rarely inflected in modern usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • остроумие (wit; more intellectual and subtle than юмор, often used in literary contexts)
  • шутливость (playfulness; emphasizes light-heartedness in informal settings)
• Antonyms:
  • серьёзность (seriousness; implies a lack of levity)
  • трусость (cowardice, in contexts where humor might involve bravery, though less direct)

Related Phrases:

• чувство юмора - A sense of humor; often used to describe someone's personality trait.
• чёрный юмор - Black humor; refers to dark or ironic comedy, common in Russian cinema.
• юмористический рассказ - Humorous story; used in literature to denote funny narratives.

Usage Notes:

"Юмор" directly corresponds to the English "humor" in its comedic sense and is a loanword, making it easy for English speakers to remember. However, it is typically used in informal contexts; for formal writing, opt for more native equivalents like "остроумие." Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as "юмор" is masculine. When choosing between translations, use "юмор" for general amusement and "шутливость" for playful interactions.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Treating "юмор" as an unchangeable word and not inflecting it in sentences, e.g., saying "без юмор" instead of "без юмора."
  Correct: Use the genitive form: "без юмора" (without humor). Explanation: Russian nouns require case agreement, so learners must apply declensions.
• Mistake: Confusing "юмор" with "юморист" (a humorist or comedian) and using it interchangeably.
  Correct: "Юморист" refers to a person, while "юмор" is the concept; e.g., say "Он юморист" for "He is a humorist," not "Он юмор."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "юмор" often reflects a wry or satirical edge, influenced by historical events like Soviet-era censorship, where humor was a subtle way to critique society (e.g., in works by writers like Zoshchenko). It plays a key role in social bonding, as Russians value "чувство юмора" as a desirable trait, but it can sometimes be self-deprecating or ironic, differing from the more straightforward American style.

Related Concepts:

• сатира (satire)
• ирония (irony)
• анекдот (anecdote or joke)