Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'opprobrious'

English Word: opprobrious

Key Russian Translations:

• оскорбительный /ɐˈskorbʲɪtʲɪlʲnɨj/ - [Formal]
• порочащий /pɐˈrot͡ɕaɕːɪj/ - [Formal, Legal Contexts]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are encountered in formal writing, literature, and discussions, but not in everyday casual conversation.

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) - Requires understanding of Russian adjectives and their inflections; the primary translation "оскорбительный" is straightforward for learners at this level, while "порочащий" may be slightly more advanced due to its specific connotations.

Pronunciation (Russian):

оскорбительный: /ɐˈskorbʲɪtʲɪlʲnɨj/

Note on оскорбительный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("bʲɪtʲ"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'bʲ' sound; practice with native audio to master the soft consonants.

порочащий: /pɐˈrot͡ɕaɕːɪj/

Note on порочащий: The 't͡ɕ' sound is a palatal affricate, similar to 'ch' in 'church', but softer; variations may occur in dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Expressing contempt, reproach, or insult, often in a formal or derogatory manner.

Translation(s) & Context:

• оскорбительный - Used in contexts involving verbal abuse or derogatory language, such as in legal, social, or literary discussions.
• порочащий - Applied in more formal or legal settings, implying defamation or damage to reputation.

Usage Examples:

• В своей речи он применил оскорбительный язык, который шокировал аудиторию.

  In his speech, he used opprobrious language that shocked the audience.

• Её комментарии были порочащими, что привело к судебному разбиратству.

  Her comments were opprobrious, leading to a legal dispute.

• Оскорбительный тон письма ясно указывал на его раздражение.

  The opprobrious tone of the letter clearly indicated his irritation.

• Порочащий материал в газете был удалён по требованию редакции.

  The opprobrious material in the newspaper was removed at the editor's request.

• Он избегал оскорбительных выражений, чтобы не провоцировать конфликт.

  He avoided opprobrious expressions to prevent provoking a conflict.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for short and long forms.

Note: These adjectives follow regular patterns, but learners should note case changes in phrases, e.g., in accusative or genitive constructions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • обидный - Similar but often implies personal hurt rather than formal insult.
  • ругательный - Focuses on swearing or cursing, with a more vulgar connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • похвальный - Means praiseworthy or complimentary.
  • вежливый - Means polite or courteous.

Related Phrases:

• оскорбительный комментарий - An opprobrious comment; used in online discussions or critiques to denote insulting feedback.
• порочащий акт - An opprobrious act; refers to actions that damage someone's reputation, often in legal contexts.
• оскорбительное выражение - Opprobrious expression; common in literary or formal speech to describe derogatory phrases.

Usage Notes:

"Оскорбительный" is the most direct translation for "opprobrious" in everyday formal contexts, while "порочащий" is better for legal or reputational scenarios. English users should note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which has no direct equivalent in English. For example, use "оскорбительный" in formal writing but avoid it in casual speech to prevent misunderstandings. When choosing between translations, opt for "порочащий" if the context involves defamation laws, which are prominent in Russian culture.

• Grammar tip: Always inflect the adjective, e.g., "оскорбительная речь" for feminine nouns.
• Context guidance: In Russian media, these words often appear in discussions of free speech versus insult.

Common Errors:

English learners often fail to inflect adjectives correctly. For instance, they might say "оскорбительный женщина" (incorrect) instead of "оскорбительная женщина" (correct, with feminine agreement). Error: Using the masculine form universally. Correct: Match the noun's gender, as in "Его оскорбительное поведение" (neuter). Another common mistake is confusing with nouns like "оскорбление" (insult), leading to misuse in sentences; always verify the part of speech.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "оскорбительный" carry significant legal weight due to strict anti-insult laws, stemming from Soviet-era regulations. Public figures or media often face lawsuits for opprobrious statements, reflecting a cultural emphasis on protecting personal honor and reputation, which differs from more permissive free speech norms in English-speaking countries.

Related Concepts:

• ругательство
• диффамация
• обидчивость