Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'indulgent'

English Word: indulgent

Key Russian Translations:

• благосклонный [bləɡɐˈsklon.nɨj] - [Formal; used in contexts requiring politeness or literary expression]
• попустительный [pə.pʊˈstʲi.tʲi.vɨj] - [Informal; often in everyday conversations about parenting or behavior]

Frequency: Medium; these translations appear in literature, psychological discussions, and casual talk but are not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives.

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate); involves understanding nuances of adjectives and their declensions, which may vary slightly between translations.

Pronunciation (Russian):

благосклонный: [bləɡɐˈsklon.nɨj]

Note on благосклонный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("sklon"), and the "г" is pronounced as a soft [ɡ]. This word may have slight regional variations in speed.

попустительный: [pə.pʊˈstʲi.tʲi.vɨj]

Note on попустительный: The "тʲ" indicates a palatalized 't', which can be tricky for English speakers; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Tending to be lenient, tolerant, or permissive (e.g., in parenting, criticism, or self-indulgence)

Translation(s) & Context:

• благосклонный - Used in formal or written contexts, such as describing a benevolent authority figure or in literary analysis.
• попустительный - Applied in informal settings, like everyday discussions about over-leniency in relationships or education.

Usage Examples:

• Его благосклонное отношение к подчиненным помогло создать дружелюбную атмосферу в офисе.

  His indulgent attitude towards his subordinates helped create a friendly atmosphere in the office.

• Родители были попустительны к капризам ребенка, что иногда приводило к проблемам.

  The parents were indulgent towards the child's whims, which sometimes led to problems.

• В этом обществе люди часто проявляют благосклонность к традициям, забывая о необходимости изменений.

  In this society, people often show indulgence towards traditions, forgetting the need for change.

• Она попустительно отнеслась к опозданию друга, но это не значит, что она всегда такая.

  She was indulgent about her friend's lateness, but that doesn't mean she's always like that.

• Благосклонный учитель позволил ученикам пересдать экзамен, демонстрируя понимание их усилий.

  The indulgent teacher allowed the students to retake the exam, showing understanding of their efforts.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "благосклонный" and "попустительный" are adjectives, which decline based on gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow the standard first-declension pattern for adjectives, with no irregularities. Below is a table for "благосклонный" as an example; "попустительный" follows the same rules.

For "попустительный", replace the root as needed (e.g., Nominative Masculine: попустительный). These adjectives do not change in comparative forms without additional suffixes.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • терпимый (terpimyy) - Similar but emphasizes endurance; used in contexts of tolerance.
  • снисходительный (snisxoditel'nyy) - Implies a condescending form of indulgence, often with a slight negative connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • строгий (strogiy) - Strict or severe.
  • суровый (surovyj) - Harsh or stern, especially in disciplinary contexts.

Related Phrases:

• благосклонное отношение - A benevolent or indulgent attitude; used to describe permissive behavior in social interactions.
• попустительный подход - An overly lenient approach; common in educational or parenting contexts to highlight potential downsides.
• быть благосклонным к кому-то - To be indulgent towards someone; a phrase emphasizing kindness in relationships.

Usage Notes:

Choose "благосклонный" for more formal or positive connotations, as it aligns closely with English "indulgent" in literary or professional settings. "Попустительный" is better for informal, everyday use, especially when implying potential negatives like spoiling. Be mindful of context: in Russian, these words often require agreement in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify. For example, if the English phrase is "an indulgent parent," you might say "благосклонный родитель" ( masculine) or "благосклонная родительница" (feminine). Avoid direct word-for-word translation; instead, focus on the nuance to ensure natural expression.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "благосклонный" with "снисходительный": English learners might overuse "снисходительный" thinking it means the same, but it often carries a patronizing tone. Correct usage: Use "благосклонный" for neutral indulgence (e.g., "Он был снисходительным" [He was condescending] vs. "Он был благосклонным" [He was indulgent]).

• Forgetting declension: A common mistake is using the base form in all cases, e.g., saying "Я видел благосклонный" instead of "Я видел благосклонного" in accusative. Correct: Always decline based on the sentence structure to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts of indulgence like "благосклонность" often tie into family dynamics and historical traditions, such as the emphasis on parental authority in literature by authors like Tolstoy. It can reflect a balance between sternness and warmth, contrasting with Western individualism, where indulgence might be seen as more permissive without the same cultural expectations of reciprocity.

Related Concepts:

• терпение (patience)
• снисхождение (condescension or mercy)
• строгость (strictness)