Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'monologue'

English Word: monologue

Key Russian Translations:

• монолог [mɐˈnoloɡ] - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literary, theatrical, and everyday discussions of speech or performance)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves basic noun inflections and vocabulary related to arts and communication)

Pronunciation (Russian):

монолог: [mɐˈnoloɡ]

Note on монолог: The stress falls on the third syllable ("lo"), which is a common feature in Russian words ending in -лог. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A long speech by one actor in a play, or a piece of writing expressing one person's thoughts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• монолог - Used in theatrical, literary, or psychological contexts, such as in plays or internal reflections. [Formal; often in written or performed arts]

Usage Examples:

• В пьесе Шекспира Гамлет произносит знаменитый монолог о жизни и смерти.

  In Shakespeare's play, Hamlet delivers his famous monologue about life and death.

• Её внутренний монолог был полон сомнений и размышлений о будущем.

  Her inner monologue was full of doubts and reflections about the future.

• В современном театре монолог часто используется для раскрытия характера персонажа.

  In modern theater, a monologue is often used to reveal a character's personality.

• Писатель включил монолог в роман, чтобы показать мысли протагониста.

  The writer included a monologue in the novel to illustrate the protagonist's thoughts.

• Во время лекции профессор перешёл в монолог, не давая аудитории вставить слово.

  During the lecture, the professor shifted into a monologue, not allowing the audience to interject.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Монолог" is a masculine noun (3rd declension) with regular inflections. It changes based on case and number, as is typical for Russian nouns. Below is a table of its primary inflections:

Note: The plural forms are used when referring to multiple monologues, such as in a collection of speeches.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • речь (rɛt͡ɕ) - A general speech, but less specific to solo performance.
  • самообличение (sɐməɐblʲit͡ɕenʲje) - Self-revelation, often in a confessional context; implies deeper introspection.
• Antonyms:
  • диалог (dʲiɐˈloɡ) - Conversation between two or more people.

Related Phrases:

• Внутренний монолог - Internal monologue; used in psychology and literature to describe self-talk. (Refers to thoughts within one's mind.)
• Театральный монолог - Theatrical monologue; a speech in a play or performance. (Common in stage arts.)
• Монолог на сцене - Monologue on stage; implies a dramatic delivery. (Often used in acting contexts.)

Usage Notes:

"Монолог" directly corresponds to the English "monologue" in meaning, particularly in artistic and literary contexts. It is typically used in formal settings like theater, literature, or psychology, and should be distinguished from "диалог" for conversations. When using in sentences, pay attention to case inflections based on the sentence structure—for example, use the genitive case after prepositions like "о" (about). If multiple translations exist, choose "монолог" for precise theatrical references, but "речь" for broader speech acts.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "монолог" with "диалог": Learners might incorrectly use "монолог" when meaning a back-and-forth conversation. Incorrect: "Они вели монолог." (They had a monologue.) Correct: "Они вели диалог." (They had a dialogue.) Explanation: "Монолог" implies a single speaker, so ensure the context matches.
• Misinflecting the noun: Forgetting case changes, e.g., saying "о монолог" instead of "о монологе". Incorrect: "Я думаю о монолог." Correct: "Я думаю о монологе." Explanation: The prepositional case requires the ending "-е" for this noun.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, monologues are prominent in literature and theater, as seen in the works of playwrights like Anton Chekhov and Alexander Pushkin. They often serve as a tool for deep character development and introspection, reflecting Russia's rich tradition of psychological realism in the arts. Understanding this can help English speakers appreciate how monologues in Russian media convey emotional depth and personal philosophy.

Related Concepts:

• диалог
• солилоквиум (if borrowed, though less common; refers to a specific type of monologue)
• монологический