Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'notorious'

English Word: notorious

Key Russian Translations:

• ноториозный [nɐ.tɐˈrʲi.əznɨj] - [Formal, often used in written or journalistic contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in formal writing, news, and literature, but less frequent in everyday spoken Russian)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with borrowed words and adjective forms, as per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ноториозный: [nɐ.tɐˈrʲi.əznɨj]

Note on ноториозный: The stress falls on the third syllable ('ri'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the rolled 'r' sound. Pronunciation may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Famous or well-known, typically for something negative or undesirable, such as a bad reputation or criminal acts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ноториозный - Used in formal contexts to describe someone or something with a widely recognized negative fame, such as in legal, historical, or media discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Он — ноториозный преступник, которого разыскивает полиция по всему миру.

  He is a notorious criminal whom the police are searching for worldwide.

• Эта ноториозная банда совершила множество ограблений в Москве.

  This notorious gang has committed numerous robberies in Moscow.

• В истории России есть ноториозные фигуры, чьи действия до сих пор обсуждаются.

  In Russian history, there are notorious figures whose actions are still discussed today.

• Её ноториозная репутация помешала ей получить работу в престижной компании.

  Her notorious reputation prevented her from getting a job at a prestigious company.

• Ноториозный случай коррупции вскрылся во время расследования.

  The notorious case of corruption came to light during the investigation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Ноториозный' is an adjective borrowed from English/French, and it follows the standard patterns for first-declension adjectives in Russian. It changes based on gender, number, and case. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This adjective is relatively regular, but English learners should pay attention to case agreement with nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • прославленный (proslavlennyj) - More neutral or positive, implying fame, but can be used ironically for negative contexts.
  • заслуживший дурную славу (zasluzhivshiy durnuyu slavu) - A phrase meaning "deserving of bad fame," often used in formal descriptions.
• Antonyms:
  • неизвестный (neizvestnyj) - Unknown or obscure.
  • славный (slavnyj) - Famous in a positive way, honorable.

Related Phrases:

• ноториозный преступник - A notorious criminal; Used in legal or crime-related contexts to describe well-known offenders.
• ноториозная репутация - A notorious reputation; Common in discussions about public figures or scandals.
• ноториозный случай - A notorious case; Refers to infamous events, like in history or investigations.

Usage Notes:

'Ноториозный' directly corresponds to the negative connotation of 'notorious' in English, making it a precise translation for contexts involving infamy. However, in Russian, it is more formal and less common in casual speech; prefer it in written media or professional settings. When choosing between translations, use 'ноториозный' for borrowed or international flavors, but opt for native phrases like 'заслуживший дурную славу' for more authentic Russian expression. Be mindful of grammatical agreement: always adjust for gender, number, and case to match the noun it describes.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'ноториозный' in a positive context, e.g., "Он ноториозный герой" (meaning "He is a notorious hero"), which implies negativity and can confuse the intended positive meaning.

  Correct: Instead, use "славный герой" for a positive famous hero. Explanation: 'Ноториозный' inherently carries a negative shade, so it should only be used for infamous figures to avoid miscommunication.

• Error: Forgetting case agreement, e.g., saying "Я видел ноториозный" instead of "Я видел ноториозного" when referring to a masculine noun in the accusative case.

  Correct: "Я видел ноториозного преступника." Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with the nouns they modify, which is a common pitfall for English speakers used to invariant adjectives.

Cultural Notes:

'Ноториозный' is a borrowed word from English/French, often appearing in Russian media when discussing international figures or events, such as notorious criminals in global history (e.g., Al Capone). In Russian culture, it reflects a fascination with infamy, as seen in literature like Dostoevsky's works, where characters' notorious deeds highlight moral complexities.

Related Concepts:

• прославленный
• злодей
• скандал