Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ignominious'

English Word: ignominious

Key Russian Translations:

• Позорный [pɐˈzor.nɨj] - [Formal; used for public disgrace or shameful events]
• Стыдный [ˈstɨd.nɨj] - [Informal; used in everyday contexts for personal embarrassment]
• Опозоренный [ɐ.pɐˈzo.rɛ.nɨj] - [Formal; used to describe someone or something that has been disgraced]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are encountered in literature, news, and formal discussions, but not in casual everyday speech.

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) - Requires understanding of abstract concepts like shame and disgrace; varies slightly by translation (e.g., "Позорный" is B2, while "Стыдный" might be B1 for simpler contexts).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Позорный: [pɐˈzor.nɨj]

Стыдный: [ˈstɨd.nɨj]

Опозоренный: [ɐ.pɐˈzo.rɛ.nɨj]

Note on Позорный: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the "о" sound, which can vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Deserving or causing public disgrace or shame (primary meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Позорный - Used in formal contexts, such as historical or political discussions, to describe events that bring public shame.
• Стыдный - Applied in informal or personal settings, like family conversations, to express embarrassment.
• Опозоренный - Often used in narrative or literary contexts to describe individuals or actions that have been publicly humiliated.

Usage Examples:

• Это было позорное поражение для команды. (This was an ignominious defeat for the team.)

  This was an ignominious defeat for the team, highlighting a public failure in a competitive context.

• Его стыдное поведение шокировало всех. (His ignominious behavior shocked everyone.)

  His ignominious behavior shocked everyone, showing how the word can describe personal actions in social settings.

• Опозоренный политик ушёл из публичной жизни. (The ignominious politician left public life.)

  The ignominious politician left public life, illustrating the word's use for long-term consequences of disgrace.

• Позорный инцидент в истории страны не забыт. (The ignominious incident in the country's history is not forgotten.)

  The ignominious incident in the country's history is not forgotten, demonstrating its application to historical events.

Related secondary meaning: Marked by humiliation or loss of dignity

Translation(s) & Context:

• Стыдный - In contexts involving personal dignity, such as interpersonal relationships.
• Опозоренный - For situations involving public exposure and loss of status.

Usage Examples:

• Её стыдное признание изменило всё. (Her ignominious confession changed everything.)

  Her ignominious confession changed everything, focusing on personal humiliation.

• Опозоренный герой книги стал символом падения. (The ignominious hero of the book became a symbol of downfall.)

  The ignominious hero of the book became a symbol of downfall, used in literary narratives.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are adjectives or participles, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. "Позорный" and "Стыдный" are standard adjectives, while "Опозоренный" is a passive participle that follows adjective patterns.

Note: These follow standard first-declension adjective patterns and do not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Бесчестный (dishonorable; more intense, implying moral failure)
  • Порочащий (discrediting; used in legal or formal contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • Честный (honorable)
  • Почётный (honorary or respected)

Related Phrases:

• Позорный акт (An ignominious act) - A shameful action that brings public disgrace.
• Стыдное признание (An ignominious confession) - A humiliating admission in personal or public settings.
• Опозоренный путь (An ignominious path) - A disgraced or shameful journey, often metaphorical in literature.

Usage Notes:

"Ignominious" corresponds most closely to "Позорный" in formal English-Russian translations, especially for public or historical contexts. Use "Стыдный" for more informal, everyday situations where personal embarrassment is key. Be mindful of gender and case agreements in Russian sentences, as adjectives must match the noun they describe. For example, choose "Позорный" over "Опозоренный" if the focus is on the inherent quality rather than the result of an action. In spoken Russian, these words can carry strong emotional weight, so they're best avoided in polite small talk.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "Позорный" interchangeably with "Стыдный" without considering context. Incorrect: "Его позорное поведение в семье" (implies public shame, which might not fit a private family setting). Correct: "Его стыдное поведение в семье" – Explanation: "Стыдный" is more appropriate for personal, non-public scenarios to avoid overstating the level of disgrace.
• Mistake: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., using "Позорный" in the wrong case. Incorrect: "Я думаю о позорный событие" (wrong case). Correct: "Я думаю о позорном событии" (genitive case) – Explanation: Russian requires agreement in case, number, and gender, which English learners often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "Позорный" often tie into historical concepts of honor and shame, influenced by literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works). Public disgrace can have lasting social implications, reflecting collectivist values where individual actions affect family or community reputation.

Related Concepts:

• Честь (honor)
• Бесчестие (dishonor)
• Стыд (shame)