Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'obscenity'

English Word: obscenity

Key Russian Translations:

• Непристойность [nʲɪprʲɪˈstojnostʲ] - [Formal, used in legal or moral contexts]
• Вульгарность [vʊlʲˈɡarnostʲ] - [Informal, often in everyday speech about crude behavior]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in discussions of ethics, media, or law, but not in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract nouns and ethical concepts; for "Непристойность," it may be B2, while "Вульгарность" could be A2 due to simpler usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Непристойность: [nʲɪprʲɪˈstojnostʲ]

Вульгарность: [vʊlʲˈɡarnostʲ]

Note on Непристойность: The stress falls on the third syllable; be careful with the soft 'н' sound, which is palatalized and common in Russian nouns.

Note on Вульгарность: Pronounce the 'г' as a voiced fricative; this word has no major variants but can vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Something offensive, indecent, or vulgar, especially in language or behavior.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Непристойность - Used in formal contexts like legal discussions or censorship, where the focus is on moral or social indecency.
• Вульгарность - Applied in informal settings to describe crude or tasteless expressions, often in everyday critiques.

Usage Examples:

• В фильме было слишком много непристойности, что вызвало общественный скандал.

  In the movie, there was too much obscenity, which caused a public scandal.

• Её вульгарность в речи шокировала гостей на вечеринке.

  Her vulgarity in speech shocked the guests at the party.

• Закон запрещает распространение непристойности в СМИ.

  The law prohibits the dissemination of obscenity in the media.

• Иногда вульгарность используется в комедии для усиления юмора.

  Sometimes vulgarity is used in comedy to enhance the humor.

• Непристойность в искусстве может быть субъективной, в зависимости от культурных норм.

  Obscenity in art can be subjective, depending on cultural norms.

Secondary Meaning: Explicit or profane content in literature or media.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Непристойность - In literary or censorship contexts, emphasizing explicitness.
• Вульгарность - In casual media reviews, focusing on lowbrow elements.

Usage Examples:

• Книга была запрещена из-за содержания непристойности.

  The book was banned due to its content of obscenity.

• Вульгарность в рекламе иногда привлекает внимание, но отпугивает аудиторию.

  Vulgarity in advertising sometimes grabs attention but alienates the audience.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Непристойность" and "Вульгарность" are feminine nouns in Russian, following the standard declension patterns for abstract nouns. They are invariable in gender but change by case and number.

Note: These words do not have irregular inflections and remain unchanged in plural forms, as they are abstract concepts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Грубость (grubost' - rudeness, with a focus on manners)
  • Похабщина (pokhabshchina - indecency, more vulgar connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • Приличие (prilichie - decency, formal opposite)
  • Чистота (chistota - purity, in moral contexts)

Brief note: "Грубость" is often used interchangeably with "Вульгарность" in informal speech but emphasizes behavior over language.

Related Phrases:

• Непристойный язык - Obscene language (refers to profane words in communication).
• Вульгарный юмор - Vulgar humor (used for lowbrow comedy that relies on crudeness).
• Распространение непристойности - Dissemination of obscenity (common in legal or media contexts, implying illegal sharing).

Usage Notes:

"Obscenity" translates most accurately to "Непристойность" in formal or legal English-Russian contexts, where precision is key, but "Вульгарность" is better for everyday informal use. Be mindful of the word's negative connotations in Russian culture, where it often carries moral judgments. In grammar, these nouns are typically used in the singular and require the appropriate case based on the sentence structure (e.g., genitive after prepositions like "из-за"). When choosing between translations, opt for "Непристойность" in written or professional settings and "Вульгарность" in spoken language to match the tone.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Непристойность" in casual conversation as a direct synonym for "Вульгарность." Correct: In informal speech, "Вульгарность" is more natural; e.g., Incorrect: "Его непристойность в шутках" (sounds overly formal). Correct: "Его вульгарность в шутках." Explanation: This mismatch can make speech sound stilted; always consider context and register.

• Error: Forgetting case changes, such as using nominative in all forms. Correct: In a sentence like "Из-за непристойности," ensure genitive form; e.g., Incorrect: "Из-за непристойность." Explanation: Russian requires strict case agreement, which English learners often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "Непристойность" are often linked to historical censorship under the Soviet era, where obscenity in art and media was heavily regulated. This reflects a broader emphasis on public morality, making such terms carry a weight of social judgment that might not be as pronounced in English-speaking contexts.

Related Concepts:

• Цензура (tsenzura - censorship)
• Мораль (moral' - morality)
• Грубый юмор (grubyy yumour - crude humor)