Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'notoriety'

English Word: notoriety

Key Russian Translations:

• известность /ɪzˈvʲestnəstʲ/ - [Formal]
• плохая слава /ˈploxəj ˈslavə/ - [Informal, often used in everyday conversation]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in media, literature, and discussions about public figures)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of nuanced connotations and basic Russian noun declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

известность: /ɪzˈvʲestnəstʲ/ (The stress is on the second syllable; note the palatalized 'v' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.)

Note on известность: The 'з' is pronounced as a voiced 'z', and the word ends with a soft 't' sound. Practice with native speakers for accuracy.

плохая слава: /ˈploxəj ˈslavə/ (Stress on the first syllable of each word; 'х' is a guttural sound similar to Scottish 'ch' in 'loch'.)

Note on плохая слава: This phrase is compound; ensure the adjective 'плохая' agrees in gender with the noun it modifies.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: State of being famous or well-known, especially for something negative or disreputable

Translation(s) & Context:

• известность - Used in formal contexts, such as news articles or academic discussions, to describe unwanted fame.
• плохая слава - Applied in informal settings, like casual conversations, to emphasize a bad reputation.

Usage Examples:

• Его известность в мире искусства связана с несколькими скандалами.

  His notoriety in the art world is linked to several scandals.

• Эта актриса приобрела плохую славу из-за своих эксцентричных выходок.

  This actress gained notoriety due to her eccentric antics.

• Известность политика растёт, но не всегда в положительном смысле.

  The politician's notoriety is growing, but not always in a positive sense.

• В маленьком городе плохая слава распространяется быстро.

  In a small town, notoriety spreads quickly.

• Его известность как художника омрачается обвинениями в плагиате.

  His notoriety as an artist is overshadowed by accusations of plagiarism.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns. 'Известность' is a feminine noun in the third declension, which follows standard patterns for abstract nouns. It inflects based on case, number, and gender agreement.

'Плохая слава' is a phrase where 'плохая' is an adjective that must agree with 'слава' (also feminine). 'Слава' inflects as follows:

The adjective 'плохая' changes accordingly, e.g., плохой славы (genitive).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • популярность (popularity, but with negative undertones; less formal)
  • репутация (reputation; broader and can be neutral or negative)
• Antonyms:
  • анонимность (anonymity; lack of fame)
  • хорошая репутация (good reputation; positive counterpart)

Related Phrases:

• Приобрести известность - To gain notoriety (literally: to acquire fame; often implies negative context).
• Плохая слава следует за ним - Notoriety follows him (a common expression for enduring bad reputation).
• Известность в узких кругах - Notoriety in certain circles (refers to fame within a specific group).

Usage Notes:

'Известность' directly corresponds to 'notoriety' in its negative sense and is preferred in formal writing, while 'плохая слава' is more colloquial. Always ensure adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the noun in Russian sentences. For English learners, note that Russian lacks articles, so context defines the nuance. Choose 'известность' for neutral or semi-formal discussions and 'плохая слава' for everyday speech to convey stronger negativity.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'известность' without proper declension, e.g., saying "известность политика" instead of "известность политика" (correct, but often misplaced in sentences).
  Correct: "Известность этого политика растёт." (Explanation: Ensure the noun is in the correct case; here, it's nominative.)
• Error: Confusing with positive fame, e.g., translating as just 'слава' without qualifiers.
  Correct: Use 'плохая слава' to specify negativity. (Explanation: 'Слава' alone means 'glory' or 'fame', which can be positive, so add adjectives for accuracy.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, notoriety often ties to historical figures or events, such as the 'bad fame' of certain Soviet-era dissidents or modern celebrities. It reflects a society where public image is heavily influenced by media and state narratives, emphasizing the importance of context in understanding personal or national reputation.

Related Concepts:

• репутация
• популярность
• скандал