Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lesbian'

English Word: lesbian

Key Russian Translations:

• лесбиянка [/lʲɪsʲbʲɪˈaŋkə/] - [Informal; Used in everyday contexts to refer to a woman attracted to other women]

Frequency: Medium – This term is not extremely common in casual Russian conversation due to cultural sensitivities, but it appears in discussions about sexuality, media, and social issues.

Difficulty: Intermediate (B2) – Learners at this level should understand social and cultural contexts, as the term involves nuanced vocabulary related to identity and may require knowledge of Russian attitudes toward LGBTQ+ topics.

Pronunciation (Russian):

лесбиянка: /lʲɪsʲbʲɪˈaŋkə/

Note on лесбиянка: The pronunciation features soft consonants (e.g., 'л' as /lʲ/), which can be challenging for English speakers. Stress is on the third syllable. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter vowel sounds.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A woman who is sexually or romantically attracted to other women.

Translation(s) & Context:

• лесбиянка – Used in general, informal contexts to describe a lesbian woman; avoid in formal or sensitive settings due to potential stigma in some Russian-speaking regions.

Usage Examples:

• Она лесбиянка и гордо говорит об этом. (Ona lesbiyanka i gordo govorit ob etom.)

  She is a lesbian and proudly talks about it. (This example shows the term in a self-affirming context.)

• В фильме главная героиня – лесбиянка, живущая в большом городе. (V fil'me glavnaya geroinya – lesbiyanka, zhivushchaya v bol'shom gorode.)

  In the movie, the main character is a lesbian living in a big city. (Demonstrates use in narrative or descriptive settings.)

• Многие известные лесбиянки внесли вклад в историю искусства. (Mnogie izvestnye lesbiyanki vnesli vklad v istoriyu iskusstva.)

  Many famous lesbians have contributed to the history of art. (Illustrates plural form in historical or educational contexts.)

• Её подруга – лесбиянка, но они не обсуждают это открыто. (Ey podруга – lesbiyanka, no oni ne obsuzhdayut eto otkryto.)

  Her friend is a lesbian, but they don't discuss it openly. (Shows the term in interpersonal, cautious conversations.)

• Лесбиянка в этой общине часто сталкивается с дискриминацией. (Lesbiyanka v etoy obshchine chasto stolkayetsya s diskriminatsiyey.)

  A lesbian in this community often faces discrimination. (Highlights social issues and potential negative contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Лесбиянка" is a feminine noun in Russian, belonging to the first declension. It follows regular patterns for feminine nouns ending in -a, with changes in cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular inflections, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • гомосексуалка – More clinical or outdated term, often used in medical or formal contexts; less specific to women.
  • сексуальная меньшинства представительница – A more neutral, descriptive phrase, emphasizing identity in broader discussions.
• Antonyms:
  • гетеросексуалка – Refers to a woman attracted to the opposite sex.
  • биексуалка – Implies attraction to both sexes, contrasting with exclusive same-sex attraction.

Related Phrases:

• Лесбийские отношения – Lesbian relationships; Used to describe romantic partnerships between women.
• Лесбийская культура – Lesbian culture; Refers to aspects of art, history, and community specific to lesbian experiences.
• Признаваться в том, что ты лесбиянка – To come out as a lesbian; A phrase for discussing personal revelation in a supportive context.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "лесбиянка" directly corresponds to the English "lesbian" but should be used cautiously due to varying cultural attitudes in Russian-speaking countries. It is informal and best in progressive or private settings; in formal writing, opt for more neutral phrases like "представительница ЛГБТ-сообщества" to avoid offense. Grammatically, always treat it as a feminine noun with appropriate agreement in adjectives and verbs. When choosing among translations, prefer "лесбиянка" for specificity, but be aware of potential stigma.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the masculine form "лесбиян" instead of "лесбиянка" for a female subject. Incorrect: Он лесбиян. (Wrong gender agreement.) Correct: Она лесбиянка. (Proper feminine form.) Explanation: Russian nouns have grammatical gender, so matching the subject's gender is essential to avoid confusion.

• Error: Overgeneralizing the term in sensitive contexts, such as assuming it's interchangeable with "геи" (gays). Incorrect: Все геи – это лесбиянки. (This mixes terms incorrectly.) Correct: Лесбиянки – часть ЛГБТ-сообщества. (Lesbians are part of the LGBTQ+ community.) Explanation: "Лесбиянка" specifically refers to women, so misuse can lead to inaccurate representations of sexual orientation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia and some Russian-speaking regions, terms like "лесбиянка" are tied to broader LGBTQ+ issues, including historical suppression and current legal restrictions (e.g., laws against "LGBT propaganda"). This can add layers of connotation, making the word not just descriptive but also potentially activist or controversial, unlike its more neutral use in English-speaking contexts.

Related Concepts:

• геи
• трансгендер
• биексуальность
• ЛГБТ-сообщество