Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'muckrake'

English Word: muckrake

Key Russian Translations:

• разоблачение [rəzɐˈblat͡ɕɪnʲe] - [Formal, used in journalistic or legal contexts]
• копаться в грязи [kɐˈpat͡sə vʲ ˈɡrʲazʲi] - [Informal, idiomatic, often in everyday speech or slang]

Frequency: Low (This term and its equivalents are not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation but appear in media, literature, or discussions about journalism and ethics.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for the primary translation; C1 (Advanced) for idiomatic uses, as it involves understanding nuanced contexts and Russian declensions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

разоблачение: [rəzɐˈblat͡ɕɪnʲe]

копаться в грязи: [kɐˈpat͡sə vʲ ˈɡrʲazʲi]

Note on разоблачение: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("bla"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized consonants. Pronounce it with a soft 'ch' sound as in 'church'.

Note on копаться в грязи: This phrase has a more fluid, conversational rhythm; the 'г' is guttural, similar to the 'g' in 'go'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The act of exposing scandals, corruption, or wrongdoing, often through investigative journalism.

Translation(s) & Context:

• разоблачение - Used in formal settings like news reports or legal discussions, emphasizing systematic exposure of hidden issues.
• копаться в грязи - Applied in informal or metaphorical contexts, such as criticizing someone's prying into personal matters.

Usage Examples:

• Журналист провел разоблачение коррупции в правительстве.

  The journalist carried out an exposure of corruption in the government.

• Его стиль журналистики — это копаться в грязи, чтобы найти сенсации.

  His journalism style involves digging into dirt to find sensations.

• Разоблачение финансовых махинаций шокировало общественность.

  The exposure of financial schemes shocked the public.

• Не стоит копаться в грязи чужой жизни; это неэтично.

  Don't dig into the dirt of someone else's life; it's unethical.

• Книга стала классическим разоблачением социальной несправедливости.

  The book became a classic exposure of social injustice.

Idiomatic or metaphorical use in broader contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• разоблачение - In metaphorical senses, such as revealing personal secrets in literature.
• копаться в грязи - Often used figuratively to describe gossip or invasive behavior.

Usage Examples:

• Её разоблачение тайных мотивов друга привело к конфликту.

  Her exposure of her friend's hidden motives led to a conflict.

• Люди любят копаться в грязи знаменитостей в социальных сетях.

  People love digging into the dirt of celebrities on social media.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Разоблачение" is a neuter noun in the second declension. It follows standard Russian noun patterns with regular inflections based on case and number. Below is a table of its declensions:

"Копаться в грязи" is a phrase where "копаться" is a verb (imperfective aspect) that conjugates regularly. For example:

• Present tense: Я копаюсь, ты копаешься, он/она копается, etc.
• It is invariable in its idiomatic form but changes with the verb "копаться". No irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: разоблачать (to expose), экспозиция (exposition), обличение (denunciation) - Note: "Обличение" is more formal and carries a moral tone.
• Antonyms: сокрытие (concealment), защита (protection) - These imply hiding rather than revealing.

Related Phrases:

• Провести разоблачение - To carry out an exposure; often used in investigative contexts.
• Копаться в чужой грязи - To dig into someone else's dirt; implies invasive gossip with a negative connotation.
• Жёлтая пресса и разоблачения - Yellow press and exposures; refers to sensationalist media practices.

Usage Notes:

"Разоблачение" directly corresponds to the journalistic sense of "muckrake," focusing on formal, ethical exposure, while "копаться в грязи" is more colloquial and can imply unethical prying. In Russian, choose "разоблачение" for professional or written contexts to maintain neutrality, and avoid "копаться в грязи" in formal settings due to its negative undertones. Be mindful of declensions when using in sentences, as Russian grammar requires case agreement. For English users, note that Russian often pairs this with verbs like "провести" for actions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "разоблачение" without proper declension, e.g., saying "в разоблачение" instead of "в разоблачении" (prepositional case). Correct: "Обсуждение разоблачении" should be "Обсуждение разоблачения" in genitive. Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, which English speakers often overlook.
• Error: Confusing with synonyms, e.g., using "обличение" when a neutral term is needed, as it implies moral judgment. Correct: Opt for "разоблачение" in neutral journalism contexts. Explanation: This can alter the tone, making the statement more accusatory.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "разоблачение" often evokes historical contexts like Soviet-era dissident literature or modern anti-corruption campaigns, such as those led by figures like Alexei Navalny. It carries a sense of heroism in exposing systemic issues, but can also be viewed skeptically as sensationalism, reflecting Russia's complex media landscape.

Related Concepts:

• коррупция (corruption)
• жёлтая пресса (yellow press)
• расследование (investigation)