Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lampoon'

English Word: lampoon

Key Russian Translations:

• сатира /saˈtʲirə/ - [Formal, Literary]
• насмешка /nəsˈmʲeʃkə/ - [Informal, Everyday]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary, journalistic, or cultural discussions, but not in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of cultural and literary contexts; "сатира" may be slightly more advanced due to its formal usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сатира: /saˈtʲirə/

Note on сатира: The stress falls on the second syllable ("tʲirə"), which is common in Russian nouns. Pay attention to the soft "tʲ" sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

Audio: []

насмешка: /nəsˈmʲeʃkə/

Note on насмешка: Stress is on the third syllable ("mʲeʃkə"). The "ш" sound is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, similar to "sh" in English "shoe."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A sharp satire or parody directed against an individual, institution, or idea.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сатира - Used in formal contexts, such as literature or media, to describe structured satirical works like political cartoons or essays.
• насмешка - Applied in informal settings for lighter, verbal mockery, often in everyday conversations or humor.

Usage Examples:

• Эта книга — классическая сатира на политические деятелей эпохи.

  This book is a classic lampoon of political figures from that era.

• В газете вышла насмешка над коррупцией в правительстве.

  The newspaper published a lampoon mocking government corruption.

• Авторы использовали сатиру, чтобы высмеять социальные нормы.

  The authors used lampoon to ridicule social norms.

• Его насмешка над друзьями была дружеской, но острой.

  His lampoon of his friends was friendly yet sharp.

• Сатира в фильме точно отразила абсурд бюрократии.

  The lampoon in the film accurately depicted the absurdity of bureaucracy.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"сатира" is a feminine noun (3rd declension) and follows standard Russian noun inflections. It changes based on case and number. "насмешка" is also a feminine noun but may have slight variations.

Note: Both words are invariable in gender but change forms regularly as per Russian grammar rules. No irregular inflections here.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пародия (parody) - Often used for humorous imitations, similar to lampoon but lighter.
  • ирония (irony) - Implies subtle mockery, more intellectual than direct satire.
• Antonyms:
  • похвала (praise) - Direct opposite, used for commendation rather than ridicule.
  • хвала (laudation) - Formal praise, contrasting with satirical intent.

Related Phrases:

• политическая сатира - Political lampoon; refers to satire targeting political entities, often in media.
• злая насмешка - Bitter lampoon; used for harsh or malicious mockery in interpersonal contexts.
• сатира на общество - Satirical lampoon of society; common in literature to critique social issues.

Usage Notes:

"Сатира" is the more precise translation for "lampoon" in formal or written contexts, aligning closely with English usage in literature or journalism. "Насмешка" is better for informal, spoken scenarios where the mockery is less structured. English learners should note that Russian satire often carries cultural undertones, so context matters—use "сатира" for artistic works and "насмешка" for everyday banter. Grammatically, both are feminine nouns, so adjectives and verbs must agree in gender and case. When choosing between translations, consider the tone: formal vs. casual.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "сатира" with "насмешка" in formal writing: Incorrect: "В статье была насмешка политиков" (This implies casual mockery). Correct: "В статье была сатира на политиков" (More appropriate for a structured lampoon). Explanation: "Насмешка" can sound too lighthearted for serious contexts, leading to a mismatch in tone.

• Forgetting case agreements: Incorrect: "Я читал сатира" (Grammatical error). Correct: "Я читал сатиру" (Accusative case). Explanation: Russian requires nouns to change based on case, which English speakers often overlook.

• Overusing in casual speech: Incorrect: Using "сатира" in everyday talk as if it were synonymous with light teasing. Explanation: This can make speech sound overly formal; opt for "насмешка" instead for natural flow.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "сатира" has deep roots in literature, as seen in works by authors like Nikolai Gogol or Mikhail Bulgakov, who used lampoon-style satire to critique society and politics under tsarist and Soviet regimes. It often serves as a tool for social commentary, reflecting the historical suppression of free speech, which adds layers of irony and resilience to its usage.

Related Concepts:

• юмор (humor)
• ирония (irony)
• пародия (parody)