Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'insult'

English Word: insult

Key Russian Translations:

• Оскорбление [ɐˈskorbʲlʲɪnʲɪje] - [Noun, Formal]
• Оскорбить [ɐskɐrˈbʲitʲ] - [Verb, Informal or Formal, depending on context]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations, media, and legal contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate for 'Оскорбление'; B2 for 'Оскорбить', as it involves verb conjugation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Оскорбление: [ɐˈskorbʲlʲɪnʲɪje]

Note on Оскорбление: The stress is on the third syllable; the 'б' is palatalized, which can be challenging for beginners. Variations in regional accents may soften the 'р' sound.

Оскорбить: [ɐskɐrˈbʲitʲ]

Note on Оскорбить: The verb form has a strong stress on the second syllable; pay attention to the infinitive ending, which changes in conjugated forms.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: As a noun, referring to an offensive remark or action that hurts someone's dignity.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Оскорбление - Used in formal contexts like legal discussions or everyday arguments to describe verbal or emotional harm.
• Обида - Sometimes interchangeable but less intense, often in personal or emotional settings.

Usage Examples:

• Его оскорбление было настолько резким, что она не смогла сдержать слёз.

  His insult was so sharp that she couldn't hold back her tears.

• В интернете часто встречаются оскорбления, которые нарушают правила сообщества.

  Insults are often encountered online that violate community rules.

• Это оскорбление её чести не должно остаться без последствий.

  This insult to her honor should not go unpunished.

• Оскорбление в общественном месте может привести к административным штрафам.

  An insult in a public place can lead to administrative fines.

Meaning 2: As a verb, meaning to say or do something that offends or humiliates someone.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Оскорбить - Common in both formal and informal contexts, such as arguments or written complaints.
• Обидеть - A milder synonym, used for unintentional offenses in casual conversations.

Usage Examples:

• Он не хотел оскорбить её, но его слова прозвучали слишком грубо.

  He didn't mean to insult her, but his words came across as too harsh.

• В споре она случайно оскорбила его происхождение, что вызвало конфликт.

  In the argument, she accidentally insulted his background, which sparked a conflict.

• Слова политика оскорбили многих граждан, что привело к протестам.

  The politician's words insulted many citizens, leading to protests.

• Не оскорби друга, если не хочешь потерять доверие.

  Don't insult a friend if you don't want to lose their trust.

• Он оскорбил её шуткой, но потом извинился.

  He insulted her with a joke but apologized afterward.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'Оскорбление' (noun, neuter):

This is a neuter noun in the second declension. It follows regular patterns but has no irregularities.

For 'Оскорбить' (verb, imperfective: оскорблять):

This is a first-conjugation verb with regular patterns. It is imperfective; the perfective form is 'Оскорбить'.

Note: The verb does not change for gender in the infinitive form but does in the past tense.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Обида (milder, emotional hurt)
  • Насмешка (mockery, often with humor)
• Antonyms:
  • Комплимент (compliment)
  • Хвала (praise)

Related Phrases:

• Нанести оскорбление - To deliver an insult (used in formal or legal contexts to emphasize intentional harm).
• Оскорбить честь - To insult one's honor (common in discussions of personal dignity or cultural values).
• Публичное оскорбление - Public insult (refers to offenses in open settings, often with legal implications).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'Оскорбление' directly corresponds to the noun form of 'insult' and is often used in legal or formal English translations, while 'Оскорбить' matches the verb form. Be cautious with context: 'Обида' might be a better choice for less severe emotional hurts. In informal speech, these words can vary by region, and 'Оскорбить' should be conjugated based on tense and subject. For English learners, remember that Russian verbs require aspect (imperfective for ongoing actions, perfective for completed ones), so pair 'Оскорбить' with appropriate contexts.

• Choose 'Оскорбление' for static descriptions and 'Оскорбить' for actions.
• Avoid using these in overly casual settings to prevent escalation.

Common Errors:

One common mistake is confusing 'Оскорбление' (noun) with 'Оскорбить' (verb) and using them interchangeably without proper conjugation. For example, learners might say "Я оскорбление тебя" (incorrect) instead of "Я оскорбил тебя" (correct for past tense). Explanation: Russian verbs must agree in person, number, and tense, so always conjugate based on the subject. Another error is overusing 'Обида' as a direct synonym, which can understate the severity in formal contexts.

• Incorrect: "Он оскорбление меня вчера." (Wrong verb form)
• Correct: "Он оскорбил меня вчера." (Proper past tense conjugation)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, insults related to 'Оскорбление' or 'Оскорбить' can carry significant weight, especially if they involve family honor, nationality, or personal integrity. Historically, such offenses were addressed through duels in the 19th century, reflecting a cultural emphasis on dignity. Today, they may lead to legal action under Russian law, highlighting the importance of respectful communication in social interactions.

Related Concepts:

• Клевета (slander)
• Преследование (harassment)
• Унижение (humiliation)