Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ignominy'

English Word: ignominy

Key Russian Translations:

• позор [ˈpozər] - [Formal, often used in literary or public contexts]
• бесчестие [bʲɪʂʲeˈstʲiʲe] - [Formal, typically in moral or historical discussions]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary, journalistic, and formal speech, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and nuanced emotional vocabulary, with "позор" being slightly easier than "бесчестие" for learners)

Pronunciation (Russian):

позор: [ˈpozər]

Note on позор: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the 'o' sound, which is like the 'o' in "more." Variations may occur in regional dialects.

бесчестие: [bʲɪʂʲeˈstʲiʲe]

Note on бесчестие: This word has a palatalized 's' sound (like 'sh' in "she"), and the stress is on the third syllable; it's a longer word, so practice syllable breaks for fluency.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Public shame or dishonor (the primary meaning of ignominy)

Translation(s) & Context:

• позор - Used in contexts involving public disgrace, such as scandals or failures, often in formal writing or speeches.
• бесчестие - Applied to situations of moral loss of honor, like in historical or ethical discussions, emphasizing personal integrity.

Usage Examples:

• Он пережил позор поражения в финале турнира.

  He endured the ignominy of defeat in the tournament final.

• Для семьи это бесчестие стало причиной разрыва всех связей.

  For the family, this ignominy led to the breaking of all ties.

• Публичный позор политика был показан в новостях.

  The public ignominy of the politician was featured in the news.

• Её бесчестие из-за обмана разрушило карьеру.

  Her ignominy due to deception ruined her career.

• В истории России позор отступления часто упоминается в уроках.

  In Russian history, the ignominy of retreat is often mentioned in lessons.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "позор" (a masculine noun) and "бесчестие" (a neuter noun) follow standard Russian declension patterns. "Позор" is a second-declension noun and inflects regularly by case and number, while "бесчестие" is less common and follows third-declension rules with some irregularities.

Note: "Бесчестие" does not have a plural form in most contexts due to its abstract nature, making it less variable than "позор."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • стыд [stɨd] - Similar to позор but more personal and emotional; used for individual shame.
  • унижение [unʲɪʐeˈnʲiʲe] - Implies humiliation, often with a sense of degradation; slightly more intense than бесчестие.
• Antonyms:
  • честь [t͡ɕesʲtʲ] - Honor or dignity, directly opposite in moral contexts.
  • слава [ˈslava] - Glory or fame, contrasting with public shame.

Related Phrases:

• Публичный позор - Public ignominy; refers to shame exposed to the public eye.
• Потеря бесчестия - Loss of honor; a phrase emphasizing the consequences of ignominious actions.
• Жить в позоре - To live in ignominy; used for ongoing disgrace in personal narratives.

Usage Notes:

Ignominy corresponds closely to "позор" in public or social contexts and "бесчестие" in ethical or historical ones. Choose "позор" for everyday formal language, as it's more versatile, but opt for "бесчестие" when discussing moral integrity. Be mindful of the formal register; these words are rarely used in casual conversation. Grammatically, they function as nouns and must agree in case with surrounding elements, e.g., in prepositional phrases.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "позор" with "стыд": Learners often use "позор" interchangeably with "стыд," but "стыд" is more internal (personal embarrassment), while "позор" is external (public). Incorrect: "Я чувствую позор" (I feel ignominy) – Better: "Я чувствую стыд." Correct: "Его позор был публичным."
• Misinflecting nouns: Forgetting case endings, e.g., using nominative "позор" in a genitive context like "из-за позор" instead of "из-за позора." This can make sentences grammatically incorrect and hard to understand.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "позор" and "бесчестие" are deeply tied to historical values of honor and collective reputation, as seen in literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works). Public shaming has been a tool in societal norms, reflecting the importance of community judgment in Russian history.

Related Concepts:

• честь (honor)
• унижение (humiliation)
• поражение (defeat)