Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'libertine'

English Word: libertine

Key Russian Translations:

• развратник [rɐzˈvrætnʲik] - [Informal, Pejorative]
• распутник [rɐˈsputnʲik] - [Formal, Literary]
• либертино [lʲɪˈbʲertʲɪnə] - [Rare, Borrowed from English/French, Neutral]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday conversation; it's more prevalent in literature or formal discussions.)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian nominal inflections and pejorative connotations. For 'либертино', it may be C1 due to its borrowed nature.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

развратник: [rɐzˈvrætnʲik]

распутник: [rɐˈsputnʲik]

либертино: [lʲɪˈbʲertʲɪnə]

Note on развратник: The stress falls on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'н' sound, which can be tricky for non-native speakers.

Note on распутник: Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects, with emphasis on the first syllable in some cases.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A person who is morally unrestrained or indulges in pleasures without regard for social norms.

Translation(s) & Context:

• развратник - Used in informal or negative contexts to describe someone with loose morals, often in everyday speech or media.
• распутник - Applied in formal or literary settings, such as historical texts, to denote a debauched individual.
• либертино - Rare and neutral, typically in intellectual or philosophical discussions, drawing from Western influences.

Usage Examples:

• Он жил как типичный развратник, игнорируя все социальные нормы.

  He lived like a typical libertine, ignoring all social norms.

• В романе главный герой показан как распутник, предающийся удовольствиям.

  In the novel, the main character is depicted as a libertine indulging in pleasures.

• Либертино эпохи Просвещения часто отстаивали свободу от моральных ограничений.

  Libertines of the Enlightenment era often advocated for freedom from moral restrictions.

• Её репутация развратника помешала ей в карьере.

  Her reputation as a libertine hindered her career.

• Распутник в этой истории в конце концов раскаивается в своих поступках.

  The libertine in this story eventually repents for his actions.

Meaning 2: In a broader sense, referring to a free-thinker or someone rejecting traditional authority (less common in Russian).

Translation(s) & Context:

• либертино - Best for this nuance, in philosophical or historical contexts where the term implies intellectual freedom rather than immorality.

Usage Examples:

• Как либертино, он отвергал церковные догмы.

  As a libertine, he rejected church dogmas.

• В салонах XVIII века либертино обсуждали идеи свободы.

  In the salons of the 18th century, libertines discussed ideas of freedom.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are masculine nouns. 'Развратник' and 'распутник' follow standard Russian second-declension patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, while 'либертино' is less inflected as a borrowed word.

Note: These nouns do not change for gender but follow regular patterns; 'либертино' may remain invariant in modern usage due to its foreign origin.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: блудник (more biblical connotation), развратитель (one who corrupts others; slight difference in implying action)
• Antonyms: пуританин (puritan, emphasizing strict morality), благочестивец (pious person, used in religious contexts)

Related Phrases:

• Жизнь развратника - Refers to the lifestyle of a libertine, often implying excess and hedonism.
• Распутный образ жизни - Describes a libertine way of life, commonly used in moral or advisory contexts.
• Либертино общества - Means a society of free-thinkers, with a nod to historical intellectual circles.

Usage Notes:

'Развратник' and 'распутник' are generally pejorative in Russian, unlike the sometimes neutral or positive connotations of 'libertine' in English. Use 'развратник' in informal settings for a direct, everyday equivalent, but opt for 'распутник' in literary or formal writing. 'Либертино' is best for philosophical discussions. Be mindful of context, as these words can carry strong negative judgments. Grammatically, they decline as standard masculine nouns, so ensure correct case agreement in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'развратник' in a positive sense, as if it means a free-spirited person. Correct: развратник (negative, immoral). Explanation: In Russian, this word is inherently pejorative, unlike English 'libertine'; always implies moral criticism.
• Mistake: Failing to inflect properly, e.g., saying "с развратник" instead of "с развратником". Correct: с развратником (instrumental case). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English learners often overlook, leading to grammatical errors.
• Mistake: Confusing with similar words like 'бродяга' (vagabond). Correct: Use развратник for moral looseness specifically. Explanation: 'Бродяга' focuses on wandering, not immorality, so context matters.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'развратник' often appear in 19th-century literature by authors such as Pushkin or Dostoevsky, portraying characters who embody moral decay as a critique of society. This reflects historical tensions between traditional values and emerging ideas of personal freedom, influenced by Western Enlightenment thought.

Related Concepts:

• аморализм (amorality)
• гедонизм (hedonism)
• вольнодумство (free-thinking)