Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lucre'

English Word: lucre

Key Russian Translations:

• нажива [nɐˈʐɨvə] - [Informal, often used in literary or negative contexts]
• прибыль [ˈprʲibɨlʲ] - [Formal, neutral, but less emphatic on negative connotations]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday conversation; more prevalent in literature, business, or ethical discussions.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of nuanced meanings and cultural implications. For 'нажива', it may be slightly more challenging due to its idiomatic usage; for 'прибыль', it's closer to A2 if focusing on basic vocabulary.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

нажива: [nɐˈʐɨvə]

Note on нажива: The stress falls on the second syllable ('ʐɨ'). This word has a soft 'ж' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers as it's similar to the 'zh' in 'measure' but softer.

прибыль: [ˈprʲibɨlʲ]

Note on прибыль: The initial 'п' is palatalized, and the stress is on the first syllable. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Money or wealth, especially ill-gotten or pursued with greed (negative connotations).

Translation(s) & Context:

• нажива - Used in contexts involving unethical gain, such as in literature or discussions about corruption. Common in informal or expressive language.
• прибыль - Applied in more neutral or business settings, but can imply negative undertones if context suggests greed.

Usage Examples:

• Он гонится за наживой, забывая о морали.

  He is chasing after lucre, forgetting about morals.

• В этом бизнесе главная цель — нажива, а не общее благо.

  In this business, the main goal is lucre, not the common good.

• Прибыль от сделки была огромной, но она имела вкус наживы.

  The profit from the deal was enormous, but it had the taste of lucre.

• Не стоит жертвовать дружбой ради прибыли.

  Don't sacrifice friendship for the sake of lucre.

• Грязная нажива разрушила его репутацию.

  Dirty lucre destroyed his reputation.

Meaning 2: General reference to material gain or profit in a less pejorative sense.

Translation(s) & Context:

• прибыль - Used in everyday business or financial contexts without strong negative implications.

Usage Examples:

• Компания фокусируется на прибыли, игнорируя социальные последствия.

  The company focuses on lucre, ignoring social consequences.

• Прибыль от инвестиций помогла ему расширить бизнес.

  The lucre from investments helped him expand his business.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'нажива' is a feminine noun (3rd declension) and undergoes regular inflection based on Russian case and number systems. 'прибыль' is also a feminine noun but follows a different pattern due to its ending.

Note: These are regular inflections. 'нажива' does not change in some poetic or fixed expressions, making it appear invariant in certain contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • богатство (bogatstvo) - More general term for wealth, but can imply excess.
  • выгода (vygoda) - Benefit or advantage, often in a transactional sense; differs from 'нажива' by being less negative.
• Antonyms:
  • бедность (bednost') - Poverty, directly opposing the concept of wealth.
  • нищета (nishcheta) - Destitution, emphasizing extreme lack.

Related Phrases:

• Грязная нажива - (Dirty lucre) A phrase used to describe illicit or unethical wealth, often in moral or legal discussions.
• Погоня за прибылью - (Chase for lucre) Refers to the relentless pursuit of profit, highlighting potential greed.
• Легкая нажива - (Easy lucre) Implies quick, effortless gain that may be suspicious or immoral.

Usage Notes:

When translating 'lucre' to Russian, 'нажива' is preferred for contexts with negative ethical implications, as it captures the greed aspect, while 'прибыль' suits neutral business scenarios. Be mindful of the formal/informal divide: 'нажива' is more literary and less common in casual speech. Grammatically, both nouns require agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying words. English speakers should note that Russian often pairs these words with verbs like 'гнаться' (to chase) to emphasize pursuit.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'нажива' interchangeably with 'прибыль' without considering context. For example, learners might say "Я ищу прибыль" when meaning illicit gain, but this sounds neutral. Correct: Use 'нажива' for negative connotations, e.g., "Я ищу наживу" vs. Incorrect: "Я ищу прибыль" in a greedy context.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, such as using the nominative form in all cases. For instance, saying "гонится за наживой" correctly, but mistakenly saying "гонится за нажива" in genitive contexts. Explanation: Always adjust for case; this is a common pitfall for non-native speakers due to Russian's complex declension system.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'нажива' often appear in literature (e.g., in works by Dostoevsky) to critique materialism and moral decay, reflecting historical themes of serfdom and rapid industrialization. It carries a deeper connotation of societal corruption, which may resonate in discussions of modern economic inequalities.

Related Concepts:

• жадность (zhadnost') - Greed
• корысть (koryst') - Self-interest or avarice
• богатство (bogatstvo) - Wealth