Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ignoble'

English Word: ignoble

Key Russian Translations:

• неблагородный [nʲɪˈbləɡərədnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• постыдный [pɐˈstɨdnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective, Used in moral or ethical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear in literary, historical, and formal discussions but are not everyday vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions and nuanced vocabulary, varying slightly by translation.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неблагородный: [nʲɪˈbləɡərədnɨj]

Note on неблагородный: The stress falls on the third syllable; be cautious with the soft 'н' sound, which is palatalized. Variations may occur in rapid speech.

Audio: []

постыдный: [pɐˈstɨdnɨj]

Note on постыдный: The 'ы' sound is a distinctive Russian vowel; pronounce it as a high back unrounded vowel for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Not honorable in character or purpose (e.g., morally base or shameful)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неблагородный - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe actions or people lacking integrity.
• постыдный - Applied in ethical discussions, often implying public shame or disgrace.

Usage Examples:

• Его неблагородные действия шокировали всю семью. (His ignoble actions shocked the entire family.)

  Translation: His ignoble actions shocked the entire family.

• Постыдный поступок политика стал темой новостей. (The ignoble deed of the politician became a news topic.)

  Translation: The ignoble deed of the politician became a news topic.

• В истории часто упоминаются неблагородные предатели. (History often mentions ignoble traitors.)

  Translation: History often mentions ignoble traitors.

• Постыдные интриги разрушили их дружбу. (Ignoble intrigues destroyed their friendship.)

  Translation: Ignoble intrigues destroyed their friendship.

Meaning 2: Of low birth or origin (e.g., not noble in social status)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неблагородный - Used in historical or aristocratic contexts to denote low social standing.

Usage Examples:

• В те времена неблагородные люди не имели доступа к королевскому двору. (In those times, ignoble people did not have access to the royal court.)

  Translation: In those times, ignoble people did not have access to the royal court.

• Его происхождение было неблагородным, но он добился успеха. (His origin was ignoble, but he achieved success.)

  Translation: His origin was ignoble, but he achieved success.

• Постыдный фон семьи не помешал ему стать известным. (The ignoble background of the family did not prevent him from becoming famous.)

  Translation: The ignoble background of the family did not prevent him from becoming famous.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "неблагородный" and "постыдный" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard declension pattern, but they can be irregular in some forms. Below is a table for "неблагородный" as an example; "постыдный" follows similar rules.

For "постыдный", it follows the same pattern but may have slight phonetic variations in certain forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • позорный (more emphatic, implying public disgrace)
  • бесчестный (focused on dishonor)
• Antonyms:
  • благородный (noble, honorable)
  • честивый (honorable, virtuous)

Related Phrases:

• неблагородное поведение (ignoble behavior) - Refers to actions that lack moral integrity.
• постыдная тайна (ignoble secret) - A shameful or discreditable hidden fact.
• неблагородный поступок (ignoble deed) - An act that is base or unworthy.

Usage Notes:

"Неблагородный" directly corresponds to the moral aspect of "ignoble" and is best used in formal or literary contexts, while "постыдный" emphasizes shame and is suitable for ethical discussions. Be mindful of Russian adjective agreement with nouns in gender, number, and case. For English learners, choose "неблагородный" when focusing on character flaws and "постыдный" for public or social implications. Avoid using these in casual conversations, as they carry a formal tone.

Common Errors:

• Error: Forgetting to decline the adjective, e.g., saying "неблагородный дом" instead of "неблагородном доме" in prepositional case. Correct: Use the proper case form to match the noun. Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with the nouns they modify, unlike in English.

• Error: Confusing with similar words like "низкий" (low or base), which can overlap but implies more physical or social inferiority. Correct: Use "неблагородный" for moral aspects. Explanation: This prevents misuse in contexts requiring ethical nuance.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "неблагородный" often evoke historical contexts from the tsarist era, where nobility and honor were tied to social class. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on personal integrity and the legacy of serfdom, helping users understand why such terms carry weight in literature like Tolstoy's works.

Related Concepts:

• честь (honor)
• достоинство (dignity)
• предательство (betrayal)