Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'licentious'

English Word: licentious

Key Russian Translations:

• распутный [rɐˈsputnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• развратный [rɐzvrɐtˈnɨj] - [Informal, Adjective]
• непристойный [nʲɪprʲiˈstojnɨj] - [Semi-formal, Adjective, Used in contexts involving indecency]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in literary, ethical, or legal discussions but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of Russian adjectives and moral vocabulary. For 'распутный', it's B2; for 'развратный', it's also B2 due to similar complexity.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

распутный: [rɐˈsputnɨj]

развратный: [rɐzvrɐtˈnɨj]

непристойный: [nʲɪprʲiˈstojnɨj]

Note on распутный: The stress falls on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'т' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter vowel lengths.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Morally unrestrained or promiscuous

Translation(s) & Context:

• распутный - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe someone with loose morals or excessive indulgence in pleasures.
• развратный - Applied in informal settings to imply corruption or depravity, often with a negative connotation.
• непристойный - Used when referring to behavior that is indecent or improper in social situations.

Usage Examples:

• Его распутный образ жизни шокировал общество.

  His licentious lifestyle shocked society.

• Развратный персонаж в романе символизирует падение морали.

  The licentious character in the novel symbolizes the decline of morals.

• Не стоит вести непристойный разговор в общественном месте.

  It's not worth having a licentious conversation in a public place.

• Распутный герой пьесы в конечном итоге раскаивается в своих действиях.

  The licentious hero of the play eventually repents for his actions.

• Её развратные привычки привели к социальному ostracism.

  Her licentious habits led to social ostracism.

Meaning 2: Lacking in restraint or discipline

Translation(s) & Context:

• распутный - In a broader sense, used to describe unrestrained behavior in non-sexual contexts, such as excessive spending.
• непристойный - Often paired with actions that are socially unacceptable but not necessarily immoral.

Usage Examples:

• Распутное использование ресурсов привело к экологической катастрофе.

  The licentious use of resources led to an ecological disaster.

• Не пристойный подход к работе может повредить твоей карьере.

  A licentious approach to work can harm your career.

• В этом фильме показан распутный путь к успеху.

  This film depicts a licentious path to success.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are adjectives, which in Russian undergo changes based on gender, number, and case. 'Распутный' and 'развратный' follow standard short and long form adjective patterns, while 'непристойный' is similar. They are not irregular but require attention to agreement rules.

For 'непристойный', it follows the same pattern: e.g., непристойный (masc.), непристойная (fem.), etc. These adjectives do not change in invariable contexts like after certain prepositions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: разнузданный (more intense, implying wild behavior), развязный (loose or uninhibited)
• Antonyms: скромный (modest, restrained), целомудренный (chaste, pure)

Related Phrases:

• распутный образ жизни - A licentious lifestyle; refers to a life of moral laxity.
• развратные привычки - Licentious habits; common in discussions of personal vices.
• непристойный жест - A licentious gesture; used in contexts of inappropriate public behavior.

Usage Notes:

'Licentious' directly corresponds to 'распутный' in formal English-Russian translations, especially in literary or ethical contexts. Choose 'развратный' for more everyday or negative connotations. Be mindful of the formal register; these words are rarely used in casual speech. Grammatically, ensure agreement with the noun's gender, number, and case. For English learners, 'распутный' is preferred when translating 'licentious' in historical or philosophical texts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'распутный' interchangeably with 'свободный' (free), which implies liberty rather than moral looseness. Correct: 'Распутный' specifically denotes immorality, e.g., Incorrect: "Свободный человек" for "licentious person"; Correct: "Распутный человек". Explanation: This confusion arises from partial synonyms in English, but in Russian, the moral nuance is stronger.

• Error: Failing to inflect the adjective, e.g., saying "распутный женщина" instead of "распутная женщина". Correct: Always match gender and case. Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with their nouns, unlike in English where adjectives are invariable.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'распутный' often carry strong moral judgments rooted in historical Orthodox Christian values, where personal restraint is emphasized. This can be seen in classic literature by authors like Dostoevsky, where licentious behavior symbolizes societal decay, helping English speakers understand the deeper ethical undertones in Russian texts.

Related Concepts:

• мораль
• этика
• разврат