Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'illiberal'

English Word: illiberal

Key Russian Translations:

• узколобый /uzkəlóbɨj/ - [Informal, often used in everyday discussions to denote narrow-mindedness]
• не либеральный /nʲe lʲibʲerálʲnɨj/ - [Formal, typically in academic or political contexts]

Frequency: Medium - This term appears in discussions about politics, society, and ideology, but not in casual everyday conversation.

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) - Requires understanding of nuanced adjectives and cultural contexts; for "узколобый", it's B2 due to informal connotations, while "не либеральный" is also B2 as it involves compound structures.

Pronunciation (Russian):

узколобый: /uzkəlóbɨj/

Note on узколобый: The stress falls on the third syllable ("ló"), which can be tricky for learners as Russian stress is not always predictable. Pronounce the "у" as a short "u" sound.

Audio: []

не либеральный: /nʲe lʲibʲerálʲnɨj/

Note on не либеральный: The "не" is a prefix meaning "not," and the word is pronounced with a soft "л" sound; pay attention to the palatalization in "лʲ".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Not open to new ideas, tolerant, or liberal in views; often implies narrow-mindedness or conservatism in opinions.

Translation(s) & Context:

• узколобый - Used in informal settings, such as debates or personal descriptions, to criticize someone's rigid thinking without broader evidence.
• не либеральный - Applied in formal contexts like essays or political analysis, emphasizing a lack of liberal principles.

Usage Examples:

• Его узколобые взгляды на образование мешают прогрессу.

  His illiberal views on education hinder progress. (This example shows the word in a sentence criticizing outdated opinions.)

• В этой стране политика часто бывает не либеральной, что приводит к социальным конфликтам.

  In this country, politics is often illiberal, leading to social conflicts. (Illustrates use in a broader, formal context discussing societal issues.)

• Она считает его узколобым за отказ от новых технологий.

  She considers him illiberal for refusing new technologies. (Demonstrates interpersonal use, highlighting refusal of innovation.)

• Не либеральные меры правительства вызывают протесты среди молодежи.

  The government's illiberal measures are causing protests among the youth. (Shows application in political discourse with plural implications.)

• Его не либеральный подход к искусству ограничивает творчество.

  His illiberal approach to art limits creativity. (Exemplifies use in cultural or creative contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "узколобый" and "не либеральный" are adjectives in Russian, which typically follow standard adjectival declension patterns. Russian adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify. "узколобый" is an irregular adjective in terms of its base form but follows general rules. "не либеральный" is a negated form and declines like "либеральный".

Note: These adjectives do not change for verbs but must agree with nouns. If the adjective is used predicatively, it may remain in its base form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • консервативный (conservative) - Similar but implies a structured ideology; often used in formal contexts.
  • ретроградный (reactionary) - Emphasizes resistance to change, with a stronger negative connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • либеральный (liberal) - Direct opposite, meaning open-minded and progressive.
  • открытый (open) - More general, implying receptiveness to new ideas.

Related Phrases:

• узколобые взгляды - Illiberal views; used to describe rigid opinions in debates.
• не либеральная политика - Illiberal policy; refers to restrictive governmental measures.
• узколобость мышления - Narrow-mindedness in thinking; a common phrase for cognitive rigidity.

Usage Notes:

"Illiberal" in English often corresponds to "узколобый" in informal Russian contexts, where it conveys personal judgment, while "не либеральный" is more neutral and factual, suitable for academic writing. Choose "узколобый" for everyday conversations to add emotional weight, but avoid it in formal settings to prevent sounding biased. Grammatically, ensure the adjective agrees with the noun in gender, number, and case. For example, if discussing a female subject, use "узколобая". Be aware that Russian culture values directness, so these terms might appear in heated discussions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "узколобый" in formal writing without context, e.g., saying "Он узколобый лидер" when a more neutral term is needed. Correct: Use "не либеральный лидер" instead. Explanation: "Узколобый" has a pejorative tone, which can make the statement overly judgmental in professional contexts.

• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "узколобый женщина" (incorrect; should be "узколобая женщина"). Correct: Always decline the adjective to match the noun's gender. Explanation: Russian requires strict agreement, and mismatches can confuse native speakers or mark you as a learner.

• Error: Overusing "не либеральный" as a direct translation without nuance, e.g., translating "illiberal democracy" as "не либеральная демократия" when "авторитарная демократия" might be more precise. Correct: Consider context; use synonyms if the meaning shifts. Explanation: Direct translations can overlook cultural subtleties in Russian political discourse.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "узколобый" often arise in discussions about historical events, such as the Soviet era's ideological rigidity, which emphasized conformity over individual freedoms. This can carry a subtle critique of authoritarian tendencies, reflecting ongoing debates in modern Russian society about liberalism versus traditionalism.

Related Concepts:

• авторитаризм (authoritarianism)
• консерватизм (conservatism)
• интолерантность (intolerance)