Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'indecent'

English Word: indecent

Key Russian Translations:

• неприличный /nʲɪˈprʲilʲɪtɕnɨj/ - [Informal; Adjective; Used in everyday contexts to describe behavior or language that is offensive or improper]
• непристойный /nʲɪˈprʲistojnɨj/ - [Formal; Adjective; Often used in legal or moral discussions, implying something obscene or inappropriate]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are commonly encountered in literature, media, and everyday conversations, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.

Difficulty: B1 - Intermediate level, as it involves understanding nuances of morality and context; learners at this stage can grasp it with practice, though the formal variant might require B2 for full mastery.

Pronunciation (Russian):

неприличный: /nʲɪˈprʲilʲɪtɕnɨj/

непристойный: /nʲɪˈprʲistojnɨj/

Note on неприличный: The pronunciation features a palatalized 'л' sound (/lʲ/), which can be challenging for English speakers; practice with native audio to master the soft consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Morally offensive, improper, or not conforming to accepted standards of decency.

Translation(s) & Context:

• неприличный - Used in casual conversations about behavior, e.g., in social settings where etiquette is discussed.
• непристойный - Applied in more serious contexts, such as legal or ethical debates, to denote something explicitly obscene.

Usage Examples:

• Его неприличное поведение на вечеринке шокировало всех гостей.

  His indecent behavior at the party shocked all the guests.

• Эта непристойная шутка не подходит для семейного ужина.

  This indecent joke is not suitable for a family dinner.

• В фильме есть сцены, которые многие считают неприличными из-за их откровенности.

  The film has scenes that many consider indecent due to their explicitness.

• Она отказалась смотреть непристойный контент в интернете, чтобы сохранить своё спокойствие.

  She refused to watch indecent content online to maintain her peace of mind.

• Не говори неприличные слова в общественных местах, это может обидеть людей.

  Don't say indecent words in public places, as it might offend people.

Meaning 2: Sexually suggestive or explicit in an inappropriate way.

Translation(s) & Context:

• непристойный - Common in contexts involving media censorship or personal boundaries.

Usage Examples:

• Книга была запрещена за непристойные описания.

  The book was banned for its indecent descriptions.

• В этом шоу иногда появляются непристойные сцены, поэтому оно не для детей.

  This show sometimes features indecent scenes, so it's not for children.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "неприличный" and "непристойный" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for first-declension adjectives, with some irregularities in certain forms. Below is a table for "неприличный" as an example; "непристойный" follows similar rules.

Note: These adjectives do not change in comparative forms unless modified (e.g., "более неприличный" for "more indecent").

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вульгарный - More emphatic, often implying crudeness in addition to indecency.
  • грубый - Used when referring to rude or coarse behavior, with a broader application.
• Antonyms:
  • приличный - Directly opposite, meaning decent or proper.
  • пристойный - Formal antonym, emphasizing acceptability in social norms.

Related Phrases:

• неприличное поведение - Refers to indecent behavior, often in social or ethical contexts.
• непристойный жест - Means an indecent gesture, commonly used in discussions about public decorum.
• неприличная речь - Describes indecent speech, highlighting inappropriate language in conversations.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "неприличный" is a versatile adjective that closely mirrors the English "indecent" in everyday use, but it carries a stronger connotation of social impropriety. Choose "непристойный" for more formal or legal contexts, as it implies a higher degree of offensiveness. Be mindful of gender and case agreements when using these words in sentences. For English learners, note that Russian culture often emphasizes collective decorum, so these terms frequently appear in discussions about public behavior.

• When translating "indecent" in exposure-related contexts, "непристойный" is preferred.
• Avoid overusing these words in polite conversation; they can escalate tensions if not appropriate.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "неприличный" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "неприличный женщина" instead of "неприличная женщина".
  Correct: Ensure agreement with the noun's gender and case.
  Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun they describe; this mistake can make sentences grammatically incorrect and confusing.
• Error: Confusing "неприличный" with "неприятный" (unpleasant), leading to misuse like "неприличный погода" for bad weather.
  Correct: Use "неприятный" for unpleasantness; "неприличный" is for moral indecency.
  Explanation: These words sound similar but have distinct meanings, so context is key to avoid semantic errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "неприличный" often reflect historical influences from Orthodox Christianity and Soviet-era moral standards, where public decency was heavily regulated. Today, they are used in media censorship debates, highlighting ongoing tensions between traditional values and modern freedoms, such as in discussions about art or social media.

Related Concepts:

• вульгарность
• моральность
• этика