Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'nonfiction'

English Word: nonfiction

Key Russian Translations:

• нонфикшн [nɐnˈfɪkʃn] - [Informal, borrowed term from English, commonly used in modern media]
• документальная литература [dəkʊmɛnˈtalʲnəjə lʲɪtʲɪrəˈturə] - [Formal, used in academic and literary contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Frequently encountered in educational, publishing, and media discussions, but less common in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR standards; requires familiarity with literary terminology and basic Russian noun inflections for 'документальная литература', while 'нонфикшн' is straightforward for English speakers)

Pronunciation (Russian):

нонфикшн: [nɐnˈfɪkʃn]

документальная литература: [dəkʊmɛnˈtalʲnəjə lʲɪtʲɪrəˈturə]

Note on нонфикшн: This is a borrowed word from English, so its pronunciation closely mirrors the English original. Stress on the second syllable may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Literature or written works based on facts, real events, and non-imaginary content, as opposed to fiction.

Translation(s) & Context:

• нонфикшн - Used in informal, contemporary contexts like online articles, book reviews, or casual discussions about genres.
• документальная литература - Applied in formal settings, such as academic papers, library classifications, or educational curricula, emphasizing factual and documentary styles.

Usage Examples:

• Я предпочитаю читать нонфикшн, так как это помогает узнать реальные факты из истории.

  I prefer reading nonfiction because it helps me learn real facts from history.

• В современном мире нонфикшн часто включает биографии знаменитых учёных.

  In the modern world, nonfiction often includes biographies of famous scientists.

• Документальная литература в русской библиотеке охватывает темы от науки до политики.

  Documentary literature in Russian libraries covers topics from science to politics.

• Мой любимый жанр — нонфикшн, где авторы делятся личными опытами без вымысла.

  My favorite genre is nonfiction, where authors share personal experiences without fiction.

• Школьная программа включает документальную литературу для развития критического мышления.

  The school curriculum includes documentary literature to develop critical thinking.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'нонфикшн': This is an indeclinable noun borrowed from English, meaning it does not change form based on case, number, or gender. It remains the same in all contexts (e.g., nominative: нонфикшн; genitive: нонфикшн).

For 'документальная литература': This is a phrase where 'документальная' is an adjective agreeing with 'литература' (a feminine noun). 'Литература' follows standard first-declension patterns for feminine nouns. Below is a table of inflections for 'литература' in its basic forms:

Note: 'Документальная' changes to agree with 'литература' in gender, number, and case, making it a regular adjective inflection.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • документалистика (documentary style, often used interchangeably in media contexts)
  • научно-популярная литература (popular science literature, with a focus on educational content; differs slightly by emphasizing science)
  • фактическая литература (factual literature, a more general term)
• Antonyms:
  • художественная литература (fiction literature, directly opposite as it involves imaginative storytelling)

Related Phrases:

• Научно-популярная книга (A popular science book; refers to nonfiction works that make complex topics accessible to the general public).
• Биографическая литература (Biographical literature; a subset of nonfiction focusing on real-life stories of individuals).
• Мемуары и автобиографии (Memoirs and autobiographies; common nonfiction genres for personal narratives in Russian culture).

Usage Notes:

Use 'нонфикшн' for informal or international contexts, as it's a direct borrow and aligns closely with English 'nonfiction'. It's ideal in casual conversations or when discussing modern publishing. Conversely, 'документальная литература' is preferred in formal writing or education, as it captures the essence of factual, evidence-based content. Be mindful of context: in Russian, nonfiction often implies educational value, so pair it with genres like biographies. When choosing between translations, opt for 'нонфикшн' if the audience is younger or online-savvy, and 'документальная литература' for traditional literary discussions.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'нонфикшн' with 'художественная литература': English learners might mistakenly use 'нонфикшн' to mean fiction. Incorrect: "Я читаю нонфикшн, но это вымышленная история" (I read nonfiction, but it's a made-up story). Correct: "Я читаю художественную литературу, но это вымышленная история" – Explanation: 'Нонфикшн' specifically denotes fact-based works, so ensure the context emphasizes reality over imagination.

• Improper inflection: Forgetting to decline 'литература' in phrases, e.g., saying "из нонфикшн" instead of "из документальной литературы". Incorrect: "Я интересуюсь нонфикшн" (in a genitive context). Correct: "Я интересуюсь документальной литературой" – Explanation: While 'нонфикшн' doesn't inflect, 'литература' must follow Russian case rules for grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, nonfiction like 'документальная литература' holds significant value in education and national identity, often tied to historical events such as the Soviet era's emphasis on scientific and biographical works. Terms like 'нонфикшн' have gained popularity post-1990s with globalization, reflecting Russia's integration of Western literary influences, but traditional forms remain rooted in factual storytelling as a tool for moral and intellectual development.

Related Concepts:

• биография (biography)
• мемуары (memoirs)
• научная литература (scientific literature)
• очерк (essay or sketch)