Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'infamous'

English Word: infamous

Key Russian Translations:

• злославный [zlɐˈslavnɨj] - [Formal, used in descriptive or historical contexts]
• прославленный [prəslavˈlʲɛnnɨj] - [Informal, but only in negative contexts; implies notoriety]

Frequency: Medium - This word is not everyday vocabulary but appears in literature, news, and discussions about history or public figures.

Difficulty: B2 - Intermediate level, as it requires understanding nuances of connotation and context; for "злославный," it's straightforward, while "прославленный" in a negative sense may need more advanced comprehension.

Pronunciation (Russian):

злославный: [zlɐˈslavnɨj]

прославленный: [prəslavˈlʲɛnnɨj]

Note on злославный: The stress is on the third syllable; be careful with the 'зл' cluster, which can be tricky for English speakers as it combines 'z' and 'l' sounds.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Well-known for a bad quality, action, or reputation

Translation(s) & Context:

• злославный - Used in formal writing, historical descriptions, or legal contexts to denote someone or something notorious for negative reasons.
• прославленный - Applied informally in everyday speech when emphasizing negative fame, often in storytelling or casual discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Он стал злославным вором, укравшим национальные сокровища.

  He became an infamous thief who stole national treasures.

• Эта прославленная в дурном смысле актриса всегда попадает в скандалы.

  This infamous actress is always involved in scandals.

• Злославный режим правителя привел к массовым протестам.

  The infamous regime of the ruler led to mass protests.

• Прославленный негативно художник создал шедевры, но его личная жизнь была полной хаоса.

  The infamous artist created masterpieces, but his personal life was full of chaos.

• В истории злославный король известен своими жестокими законами.

  In history, the infamous king is known for his cruel laws.

Meaning: Famous in a disreputable way (e.g., in media or public opinion)

Translation(s) & Context:

• злославный - Common in media reports or biographical contexts to highlight negative public perception.
• прославленный - Used in informal conversations, such as gossip or social media, to imply bad fame without formal tone.

Usage Examples:

• Злославный политик был осужден за коррупцию.

  The infamous politician was convicted of corruption.

• Ее прославленная в плохом смысле карьера закончилась скандалом.

  Her infamous career ended in scandal.

• Этот злославный инцидент изменил всю отрасль.

  This infamous incident changed the entire industry.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "злославный" and "прославленный" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow standard patterns for declension. "Злославный" is a regular adjective, while "прославленный" is also regular but derived from a verb, so it maintains similar inflections.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • известный (izvestnyy) - More neutral, but can imply negative fame; often used interchangeably in contexts.
  • прославленный (in negative sense) - Subtle difference: implies a mix of fame and infamy, common in literary language.
• Antonyms:
  • славный (slavnyy) - Meaning glorious or reputable.
  • известный в хорошем смысле (izvestnyy v khoroshem smysle) - Not a single word, but implies positive fame.

Related Phrases:

• злославная репутация - Infamous reputation; used in discussions about public figures or historical events.
• прославленный в дурном смысле человек - A person infamous for bad reasons; common in biographical contexts.
• злославные деяния - Infamous deeds; refers to notorious actions in history or literature.

Usage Notes:

"Злославный" directly corresponds to "infamous" in formal English contexts, emphasizing a bad reputation, while "прославленный" is better for informal or narrative uses where fame is tainted. Always consider the context: in Russian, adjectives like these must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify. For English learners, choose "злославный" for precise translations in writing, as "прославленный" might imply a more positive undertone if not qualified. Be cautious with register—use these in descriptive or historical texts rather than casual conversation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "злославный" without proper case agreement, e.g., saying "злославный женщина" instead of "злославная женщина" (for feminine noun).

  Correct: злославная женщина - Explanation: Russian adjectives must inflect to match the noun's gender; this is a common mistake for beginners due to English's lack of cases.

• Error: Confusing with "славный," translating it as "infamous" when it means "glorious."

  Correct: Use "злославный" for negative connotations; Explanation: "Славный" is positive, so swapping them changes the meaning entirely, leading to misunderstandings in context.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "злославный" often appear in discussions of historical figures, such as Ivan the Terrible, who is frequently described as infamous for his ruthless rule. This reflects Russia's rich history of associating fame with moral judgment, where notoriety can stem from both achievements and atrocities, influencing modern perceptions in media and literature.

Related Concepts:

• репутация (reputatsiya) - Reputation
• скандал (skandal) - Scandal
• известность (izvestnost') - Fame