Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'opprobrium'

English Word: opprobrium

Key Russian Translations:

• Позор [ˈpozər] - [Formal; often used in contexts of public shame or disgrace]
• Осуждение [ɐˈsudʐənʲɪje] - [Formal; typically implies moral or social condemnation]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in literature, media, and formal discussions, but not in everyday casual speech.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and nuanced vocabulary. For 'Позор', it may feel more accessible, while 'Осуждение' could edge towards B2+ due to its derivational forms.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Позор: [ˈpozər]

Note on Позор: The stress falls on the first syllable; be cautious with the 'о' sound, which is a mid-back vowel. In rapid speech, it may soften to [pɐˈzor].

Осуждение: [ɐˈsudʐənʲɪje]

Note on Осуждение: The 'ж' is a voiced palatal fricative; practice with native speakers to master the soft consonants. This word has a common stress pattern in Russian nouns.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Strong disapproval, shame, or public reproach directed at someone or something.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Позор - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe public disgrace, often in historical or moral discussions.
• Осуждение - Applied in social or ethical scenarios, such as criticizing behavior in media or legal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Его речь вызвала всеобщий позор в обществе, так как она противоречила моральным нормам.

  His speech brought general opprobrium in society, as it contradicted moral norms.

• Политические деятели подверглись осуждению за коррупцию, что привело к массовым протестам.

  The political figures faced opprobrium for corruption, leading to mass protests.

• В истории России позор часто ассоциируется с поражениями в войнах, как в случае с Крымской войной.

  In Russian history, opprobrium is often associated with defeats in wars, as in the case of the Crimean War.

• Её действия навлекли на семью осуждение соседей, но она не отступила от своих убеждений.

  Her actions brought opprobrium upon her family from the neighbors, but she did not back down from her beliefs.

• Социальные сети amplifфицируют позор, превращая личные ошибки в публичные скандалы.

  Social media amplifies opprobrium, turning personal mistakes into public scandals.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Позор' is a masculine noun (3rd declension), while 'Осуждение' is a neuter noun. Both follow standard Russian inflection patterns, but 'Позор' has irregular aspects in certain forms due to its root.

Note: 'Позор' is invariant in some poetic or archaic uses, meaning it may not change in certain contexts, while 'Осуждение' follows regular neuter patterns without irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Срам [sram] - Similar to 'позор' but often more intense, implying moral filth.
  • Бесчестие [bʲɪʂɕesʲtʲɪje] - Focuses on loss of honor, with a historical connotation in Russian culture.
• Antonyms:
  • Честь [tɕesʲtʲ] - Honor or respect, directly opposite in moral contexts.
  • Слава [ˈslava] - Glory or fame, contrasting with public shame.

Related Phrases:

• Публичный позор - Public opprobrium; often used in media to describe widespread criticism.
• Подвергнуться осуждению - To face opprobrium; common in legal or social discussions.
• Нанести позор - To bring opprobrium; implies causing shame to someone else.

Usage Notes:

• 'Позор' aligns closely with the public, shaming aspect of 'opprobrium', making it ideal for historical or literary contexts, while 'Осуждение' emphasizes judgment and is better for ethical debates.
• Be mindful of register: Both are formal, so avoid in casual conversations; in Russian, overuse can sound dramatic.
• When choosing between translations, opt for 'Позор' if the focus is emotional disgrace, and 'Осуждение' for intellectual or moral critique.
• Grammatically, these nouns require appropriate case agreement, e.g., in prepositional phrases like "в позоре" (in opprobrium).

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'Позор' with 'Срам': Learners might use 'Срам' interchangeably, but it's more vulgar. Correct: Use 'Позор' for formal shame. Error example: "Его срам был публичным" (incorrectly intensifying); Correct: "Его позор был публичным".
• Improper inflection: English speakers often forget case changes, e.g., saying "в позор" instead of "в позоре". Explanation: Always adjust for prepositional phrases to avoid grammatical errors.
• Overgeneralizing to plural: Assuming 'Позоры' is always used; in fact, it's rare. Correct: Stick to singular in most contexts unless specifying multiple instances.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'Позор' carry deep historical weight, often linked to events such as the Soviet era's public shaming or literary works by authors like Dostoevsky, where opprobrium reflects societal judgment and personal redemption themes.

Related Concepts:

• Стыд [styd] - Shame
• Честь [tɕesʲtʲ] - Honor
• Критика [krʲitʲika] - Criticism