Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mores'

English Word: mores

Key Russian Translations:

• нравы [ˈnra.vɨ] - [Formal, Plural, Used in academic or sociological contexts]
• обычаи [ɐˈbɨ.t͡ɕa.ɪ] - [Formal, Plural, Often interchangeable but more general for customs]

Frequency: Medium (Common in formal writing, literature, and social sciences, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of abstract concepts and Russian noun declensions. For 'нравы': B2 due to its plural form and cultural nuances; for 'обычаи': B1 as it's more straightforward)

Pronunciation (Russian):

нравы: [ˈnra.vɨ]

обычаи: [ɐˈbɨ.t͡ɕa.ɪ]

Note on нравы: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'ы' sound can be challenging for English speakers as it's a back unrounded vowel. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Note on обычаи: The 'ч' is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to the 'ch' in German "ich." Ensure the plural ending is clear.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Social customs, moral traditions, or established behaviors in a society

Translation(s) & Context:

• нравы - Used in formal discussions of societal norms, ethics, or cultural practices, often in a plural sense to denote collective behaviors.
• обычаи - Applied in broader contexts for traditions or customs, suitable for everyday cultural descriptions but still formal.

Usage Examples:

• В России нравы часто определяют повседневное поведение, включая уважение к старшим.

  In Russia, mores often dictate everyday behavior, including respect for elders.

• Эти нравы укоренились в обществе веками и трудно изменить.

  These mores have been entrenched in society for centuries and are hard to change.

• Обычаи и нравы различных регионов России отражают их историческое наследие.

  The customs and mores of different regions in Russia reflect their historical heritage.

• В современной литературе нравы изображаются как зеркало социальных перемен.

  In modern literature, mores are depicted as a mirror of social changes.

• Обычаи, включая нравы гостеприимства, играют ключевую роль в русской культуре.

  Customs, including mores of hospitality, play a key role in Russian culture.

Meaning 2: Ethical standards or unwritten rules governing behavior

Translation(s) & Context:

• нравы - Emphasized in ethical or moral discussions, often implying judgment or analysis.
• обычаи - Less judgmental, focusing on neutral traditions but can overlap in ethical contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Нарушение нравов может привести к социальному ostracism в тесных сообществах.

  Violating mores can lead to social ostracism in close-knit communities.

• Эти обычаи и нравы формируют основу этического кодекса в русской деревне.

  These customs and mores form the basis of the ethical code in a Russian village.

• Нравы бизнеса в России эволюционируют под влиянием глобализации.

  Business mores in Russia are evolving under the influence of globalization.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'нравы' and 'обычаи' are plural nouns in Russian and follow standard masculine plural declension patterns. 'Нравы' is derived from 'нрав' (singular, meaning 'temper' or 'disposition'), but as a plural, it's commonly used for 'mores'. 'Обычаи' is a regular plural of 'обычай' (custom). They exhibit typical noun inflections based on case, number, and gender.

Note: These nouns do not change for number in this context as they are inherently plural, but they follow regular patterns without irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • традиции (traditions; more focused on long-standing practices)
  • обыкновения (habits; everyday routines with subtle differences in connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • инновации (innovations; implies departure from traditional mores)
  • хаос (chaos; lack of structured customs)

Related Phrases:

• Соблюдение нравов - Adherence to mores; Refers to following societal rules in a formal context.
• Нравы общества - Mores of society; Used to discuss cultural norms broadly.
• Обычаи и нравы - Customs and mores; A common phrase combining both concepts for comprehensive cultural description.

Usage Notes:

'Нравы' is the most direct translation for 'mores' in English, capturing the moral and ethical undertones, while 'обычаи' is better for neutral customs. Use 'нравы' in formal or academic writing, as it implies deeper societal implications. Be mindful of Russian's grammatical gender and case requirements; for example, always decline based on context (e.g., genitive for possession). When choosing between translations, opt for 'нравы' if the focus is on ethics, and 'обычаи' for cultural traditions. These words are typically plural, so avoid singular forms unless referring to the base word.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the singular form 'нрав' instead of 'нравы' when translating 'mores'. Correct: 'Нравы' is plural and matches the English concept; Example of error: 'Этот нрав значит...' (incorrect), Correct: 'Эти нравы значат...' (These mores mean...).

• Error: Confusing 'нравы' with 'нравы' in the wrong case, e.g., forgetting to change to genitive. Correct: In a sentence like "Изучение нравов" (Study of mores), ensure proper declension; Example of error: 'Изучение нравы' (wrong), Correct: 'Изучение нравов'.

• Error: Overusing 'обычаи' for ethical contexts. Correct: Reserve it for neutral customs; Example of error: 'Эти обычаи моральны' (imprecise), Correct: 'Эти нравы моральны' for moral mores.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'нравы' often reflects the historical influence of Orthodox Christianity and collectivist traditions, emphasizing community harmony over individualism. For instance, rural Russian 'нравы' might include unspoken rules of hospitality, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works, where they highlight social tensions.

Related Concepts:

• традиции
• этика
• культура
• социальные нормы