Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'libelous'

English Word: libelous

Key Russian Translations:

• клеветнический [klʲɪvʲɪtʲˈnʲitɕɪskʲɪj] - [Formal, Legal contexts]
• диффамационный [dʲɪfɐmɐˈtɕɪskʲɪj] - [Formal, Borrowed from English/French, Used in modern legal writing]

Frequency: Low (Primarily encountered in legal, journalistic, or formal written contexts; not common in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding formal vocabulary and legal nuances; for 'клеветнический', it may be B2, while 'диффамационный' could be C1 for advanced learners due to its borrowed nature)

Pronunciation (Russian):

клеветнический: [klʲɪvʲɪtʲˈnʲitɕɪskʲɪj]

Note on клеветнический: The stress falls on the third syllable ('ni'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized consonants. Pronounce it with a soft 'l' sound.

диффамационный: [dʲɪfɐmɐˈtɕɪskʲɪj]

Note on диффамационный: This word has a French influence, so the 'f' is pronounced as in English, but the ending softens in rapid speech. Be mindful of the hard 'tɕ' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Relating to written defamation or statements that damage someone's reputation through false claims.

Translation(s) & Context:

• клеветнический - Used in formal legal or journalistic contexts, often in written media to describe libelous content.
• диффамационный - Applied in modern, international legal discussions, such as in contracts or online defamation cases.

Usage Examples:

• Он опубликовал клеветнический материал в газете, что привело к судебному иску.

  He published a libelous article in the newspaper, which led to a lawsuit.

• Эта диффамационная кампания в интернете разрушила репутацию компании.

  This defamatory campaign on the internet destroyed the company's reputation.

• Клеветнический текст в блоге был признан недопустимым в суде.

  The libelous text in the blog was deemed inadmissible in court.

• Диффамационные заявления политика вызвали общественный скандал.

  The defamatory statements by the politician sparked a public scandal.

• В книге содержится клеветнический портрет исторической фигуры, основанный на ложных фактах.

  The book contains a libelous portrayal of a historical figure based on false facts.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'клеветнический' and 'диффамационный' are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Russian adjectives follow standard patterns, with 'клеветнический' being a regular adjective and 'диффамационный' also following regular rules due to its borrowed status.

For 'диффамационный', the inflections are identical in pattern: e.g., диффамационный (masc.), диффамационная (fem.), etc. These adjectives do not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • оскорбительный (oskorbitel'nyy) - More general, implying insult rather than specific defamation.
  • порочащий (porochashchiy) - Often used in legal contexts for discrediting.
• Antonyms:
  • похвальный (pohval'nyy) - Meaning praiseworthy or complimentary.
  • нейтральный (neytral'nyy) - Neutral, lacking any defamatory tone.

Related Phrases:

• Клеветническая кампания - A smear campaign; often used in political or media contexts to describe organized defamation.
• Диффамационные заявления - Defamatory statements; refers to public or legal accusations that harm reputation.
• Распространять клеветническую информацию - To spread libelous information; common in discussions about misinformation online.

Usage Notes:

'Клеветнический' directly corresponds to 'libelous' in English, emphasizing written or published defamation, while 'диффамационный' is a more modern equivalent often seen in international contexts. Use 'клеветнический' in formal Russian legal writing or journalism, as it aligns with traditional Russian terminology. Be cautious with context: in everyday speech, these words are rare and may sound overly formal. When choosing between translations, opt for 'клеветнический' for native Russian flavor and 'диффамационный' when discussing global legal standards. Grammatically, these adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'клеветнический' (written defamation) with 'клевета' (general slander, which can be verbal). Error: Using 'клевета' for written content. Correct: 'Клеветнический текст' instead of 'Клевета текст'. Explanation: 'Клевета' is a noun for slander, not an adjective, so it doesn't modify nouns directly.

• Mispronouncing the stress in 'клеветнический' by placing it on the wrong syllable, leading to incomprehension. Error: [klʲɪvʲɪˈtʲnʲitɕɪskʲɪj] (wrong stress). Correct: [klʲɪvʲɪtʲˈnʲitɕɪskʲɪj]. Explanation: Proper stress is crucial in Russian for clear communication.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and law, libel (клевета or клеветнический content) is taken seriously, often linked to the country's history of censorship and state-controlled media. Under Russian law, publishing false information that harms someone's reputation can lead to criminal charges, reflecting a cultural emphasis on protecting personal honor, which differs from some Western approaches where free speech is prioritized.

Related Concepts:

• клевета (slander)
• ослава (disgrace)
• диффамация (defamation as a broader concept)