Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'incest'

English Word: incest

Key Russian Translations:

• Инцест [ɪnˈtsɛst] - [Formal, Legal contexts]

Frequency: Low (This term is rarely used in everyday conversation due to its sensitive and taboo nature, appearing mostly in legal, psychological, or academic discussions.)

Difficulty: C1 (Advanced) - Requires familiarity with formal Russian vocabulary and cultural sensitivities; suitable for learners at an upper-intermediate level or higher.

Pronunciation (Russian):

Инцест: [ɪnˈtsɛst]

Note on Инцест: The stress falls on the second syllable ('tsɛst'). Pronunciation may vary slightly in rapid speech, but it's generally straightforward for Russian speakers. Pay attention to the 'ц' sound, which is a voiceless alveolar affricate.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Sexual relations between close relatives, often prohibited by law or social norms.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Инцест - Used in formal, legal, or medical contexts to describe the act or concept, emphasizing its taboo status in Russian society.

Usage Examples:

• В некоторых культурах инцест считается серьёзным табу, но в истории человечества встречались редкие исключения.

  In some cultures, incest is considered a serious taboo, but there have been rare exceptions in human history.

• Психологи изучают последствия инцеста для ментального здоровья пострадавших.

  Psychologists study the consequences of incest on the mental health of victims.

• Закон строго наказывает за инцест, чтобы защитить уязвимых членов семьи.

  The law strictly punishes incest to protect vulnerable family members.

• В литературе инцест иногда используется как сюжетный элемент для исследования моральных дилемм.

  In literature, incest is sometimes used as a plot element to explore moral dilemmas.

• Обсуждение инцеста в обществе должно быть осторожным, чтобы избежать травматизации.

  Discussion of incest in society should be cautious to avoid causing trauma.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Инцест" is a masculine noun in Russian and follows standard third-declension patterns for borrowed words. It is relatively unchanging in its base form but can inflect for case and number as needed. Below is a table outlining its basic declensions:

Note: As a loanword, its inflections are regular but not frequently used in plural form due to the nature of the concept.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Близкородственные связи (blizkorodstvennye svyazi) - Refers to close familial relations, often in a more euphemistic or broader context.
  • Родственный интим (rodstvennyi intim) - Emphasizes the intimate aspect, used in psychological discussions.
• Antonyms:
  • Нормальные семейные отношения (normal'nye semeynye otnosheniya) - Normal family relationships, highlighting healthy dynamics.
  • Экзогамные связи (ekzogamnye svyazi) - Exogamous relationships, referring to unions outside one's family or group.

Related Phrases:

• Запрет на инцест (zapret na intsest) - Prohibition of incest; a common legal or anthropological phrase referring to societal bans.
• Последствия инцеста (posledstviya intsesta) - Consequences of incest; used in discussions about psychological or social impacts.
• Инцест в мифологии (intsest v mifologii) - Incest in mythology; often appears in cultural studies to discuss ancient stories.

Usage Notes:

This term corresponds directly to the English "incest" but is highly sensitive in Russian culture, where it is taboo and often discussed only in professional contexts like law, psychology, or academia. Always use "инцест" in formal settings; avoid casual conversation to prevent offense. When choosing translations, "инцест" is the most precise, but euphemisms like "близкородственные связи" may be preferred for sensitivity. Grammatically, it functions as a noun and requires appropriate case agreement in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "инцест" in informal or everyday language, which can lead to discomfort or misunderstanding. Correct usage: Reserve it for formal discussions, e.g., instead of saying "Это инцест" in a casual chat, avoid the topic altogether. Example of error: "Мой друг говорил об инцесте на вечеринке" (incorrect in social settings). Correct: Discuss in a professional context like "В юридических текстах обсуждается инцест".

• Error: Misinflecting the word, such as using the wrong case. For instance, saying "Я боюсь инцест" instead of "Я боюсь инцеста" in genitive contexts. Explanation: Always check the required case based on the sentence structure to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, incest is a profound taboo rooted in historical, religious, and legal traditions, similar to many societies. It is often linked to Orthodox Christian values and Soviet-era family laws, which reinforced strict familial norms. Discussions may evoke strong emotions, and media portrayals, like in literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works), use it to explore moral complexities, highlighting its role in broader ethical debates.

Related Concepts:

• Семья (sem'ya) - Family
• Табу (tabu) - Taboo
• Моральные дилеммы (moral'nye dilemmy) - Moral dilemmas
• Психологическая травма (psikhologicheskaya travma) - Psychological trauma