Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'kitsch'

English Word: kitsch

Key Russian Translations:

• кич /kɪtʃ/ - [Borrowed term, Informal, Often used in cultural or artistic contexts]

Frequency: Low (Primarily encountered in discussions of art, design, or pop culture; not everyday vocabulary)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B2) - As a borrowed word, it's accessible to learners with a basic grasp of Russian vocabulary and pronunciation, but context-specific usage requires cultural familiarity

Pronunciation (Russian):

кич: /kɪtʃ/

Note on кич: The pronunciation closely mirrors the English "kitsch," with stress on the first syllable. Be mindful of the 'ч' sound, which is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to the 'ch' in "loch" in Scottish English. Variations may occur in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Tacky or low-quality art, decor, or items that are overly sentimental or ostentatious.

Translation(s) & Context:

• кич - Used in informal discussions about modern art, fashion, or consumer goods, often with a critical or humorous tone.

Usage Examples:

• Этот старый плакат — типичный кич из 80-х годов.

  This old poster is typical kitsch from the 80s.

• В её квартире полно кичевых сувениров, купленных на рынке.

  Her apartment is full of kitschy souvenirs bought at the market.

• Критики часто называют такие фильмы чистым кичем, но они популярны среди молодежи.

  Critics often call such films pure kitsch, but they are popular among young people.

• Дизайнер избегает кич в своей работе, предпочитая минимализм.

  The designer avoids kitsch in their work, preferring minimalism.

• Этот фестиваль празднует кич как форму народного искусства.

  This festival celebrates kitsch as a form of folk art.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Кич" is a masculine noun (from English loanword) and follows standard Russian noun declension patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. It is not irregular but may vary based on case and number. Below is a table of its basic inflections:

Note: As a borrowed word, it may not always follow strict inflections in informal usage, but the above represents standard forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: вульгарный (vulgarny) - Often implies poor taste; пошлый (poshlyy) - Suggests something tacky or cheap, with a connotation of moral lowliness.
• Antonyms: элегантный (elegantnyy) - Elegant or refined; изысканный (izyskannyi) - Sophisticated or exquisite.

Related Phrases:

• кич-стиль - A style characterized by excessive ornamentation; often used in fashion or design contexts.
• чистый кич - Pure kitsch; refers to something that embodies the concept without irony.
• кичевые штучки - Kitsch items or trinkets; commonly used for cheap decorative objects.

Usage Notes:

"Кич" directly corresponds to the English "kitsch" as a borrowed term, making it useful for discussing cultural or aesthetic topics. It is typically informal and carries a slightly negative connotation, so use it in contexts like art criticism or casual conversations about design. Be aware of grammatical agreement with adjectives and cases in Russian sentences. When choosing between synonyms like "пошлый," opt for "кич" if the focus is on visual or artistic elements rather than moral judgment.

Common Errors:

• Error: Mispronouncing "кич" as /kɪʃ/ instead of /kɪtʃ/, which softens the 'ч' sound. Correct: Always use the hard palatal fricative for 'ч'. Example of error: Saying "киш" (wrong) vs. "кич" (correct). This can make the word sound like "kish," which isn't standard.

• Error: Using it in formal writing without context, as it's informal. Correct: In essays, pair it with explanations, e.g., "Этот дизайн можно назвать кичем" (This design can be called kitsch) instead of overusing it in academic settings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "кич" is often associated with Soviet-era aesthetics, where mass-produced, overly decorative items symbolized consumerism. It reflects a critique of superficiality in art, similar to Western pop culture, and is frequently discussed in contexts like contemporary Russian cinema or street art, highlighting tensions between high and low culture.

Related Concepts:

• авангард (avant-garde)
• масскульт (mass culture)
• поп-арт (pop art)