Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pariah'

English Word: pariah

Key Russian Translations:

• изгой [ɪzˈɡoj] - [Formal, Literary; used to describe social outcasts]
• отверженный [ɐtˈvʲerʐənnɨj] - [Formal; often implies emotional or moral rejection]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literary, historical, or formal discussions, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract social concepts and noun inflections, though basic forms are straightforward for learners at this level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

изгой: [ɪzˈɡoj]

отверженный: [ɐtˈvʲerʐənnɨj]

Note on изгой: The stress falls on the second syllable ('ɡoj'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft 'г' sound; it sounds like a voiced velar fricative in some dialects.

Note on отверженный: Pay attention to the palatalized 'т' and 'ж' sounds, which are common in Russian but may require practice.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person who is despised, rejected, or ostracized by society.

Translation(s) & Context:

• изгой - Used in formal or literary contexts, often to describe someone excluded from social groups due to behavior or circumstances.
• отверженный - Applied in emotional or moral contexts, such as in literature or discussions of social injustice, emphasizing abandonment.

Usage Examples:

• Он стал изгоем в своем сообществе после скандала.

  He became a pariah in his community after the scandal.

• В романе главный герой изображён как отверженный, борющийся с обществом.

  In the novel, the main character is depicted as a pariah struggling against society.

• Из-за своих убеждений она превратилась в социального изгоя.

  Due to her beliefs, she turned into a social pariah.

• Отверженный миром, он нашел solace в искусстве.

  Rejected by the world, he found solace in art.

• В истории России многие реформаторы становились изгоями за свои идеи.

  In Russian history, many reformers became pariahs for their ideas.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Изгой" is a masculine noun in the second declension, which follows regular patterns in Russian. It changes based on case and number. "Отверженный" is an adjective that agrees with the noun it modifies and also inflects regularly.

For "изгой" (singular):

Plural form of "изгой" is less common but follows: Nominative - изгои, Genitive - изгоев, etc.

For "отверженный" (as an adjective, it changes by gender, number, and case):

Both words are regular, making them relatively easy to learn, but ensure agreement with nouns in sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • отверженный (similar to 'pariah' but with a focus on abandonment)
  • пария (a direct borrowing, used in modern contexts for exact equivalence)
  • изгнанник (emphasizes exile, slightly more formal)
• Antonyms:
  • любимец (favorite, someone who is adored)
  • герой (hero, someone celebrated)

Related Phrases:

• Социальный изгой - A social pariah; refers to someone excluded from society due to norms or events.
• Стать отверженным - To become rejected; used in narratives of personal downfall.
• Изгой общества - Outcast of society; a common phrase in discussions of marginalization.

Usage Notes:

"Изгой" directly corresponds to "pariah" in formal English contexts, making it the preferred translation for literary or historical uses. "Отверженный" is more versatile and can imply emotional rejection, so choose based on context—use "изгой" for social exclusion and "отверженный" for personal abandonment. Both are neutral to formal in register, avoiding slang, and require proper noun agreement in Russian sentences. For English learners, pay attention to case changes to avoid grammatical errors in complex sentences.

• Always consider the gender and number of the subject when using "отверженный" as an adjective.
• In spoken Russian, these words are rare in casual conversation; they're more common in writing or debates.

Common Errors:

• Mistaking "изгой" for "изгнанник": Learners often confuse the two, thinking they mean the same. Error: Using "изгнанник" to mean a general outcast (e.g., "Он изгнанник" for "He is a pariah"). Correct: "Он изгой" – "Изгнанник" specifically means "exile," implying physical removal, while "изгой" is about social status.
• Improper inflection: Forgetting to change cases, e.g., saying "Я видел изгой" instead of "Я видел изгоя" in accusative case. Explanation: Russian requires case agreement; the correct form ensures the sentence flows grammatically.
• Overusing in informal settings: Treating "отверженный" as casual slang, which it isn't. Error: "Он отверженный парень" in everyday talk. Correct: Reserve for formal contexts to maintain appropriateness.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "изгой" often evoke historical contexts such as the Soviet era's dissidents or exiles, reflecting themes of isolation in literature by authors like Dostoevsky. It carries a deep connotation of societal judgment, highlighting Russia's emphasis on community and conformity, which can make such figures tragic heroes in stories.

Related Concepts:

• изгнанник
• отщепенец
• социальный пария