Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'patsy'

English Word: patsy

Key Russian Translations:

• жертва /ˈʐɨrtva/ - [Informal, often used in everyday contexts for a person who is exploited or blamed]
• козёл отпущения /kɐˈzøl ɐtpuˈʂenʲijə/ - [Formal, idiomatic expression, used in literary or serious discussions]

Frequency: Medium (Common in conversational Russian, especially in media and literature, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun cases for "жертва" and idiomatic expressions for "козёл отпущения").

Pronunciation (Russian):

жертва: /ˈʐɨrtva/ (The "ж" is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the "s" in "measure"; stress on the first syllable.)

Note on жертва: Be cautious with the rolled "р" sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations in speed may soften the vowels.

Audio: []

козёл отпущения: /kɐˈzøl ɐtpuˈʂenʲijə/ (Stress on the third syllable of the compound; "щ" is a voiceless alveolo-palatal fricative.)

Note on козёл отпущения: This is a phrase, so pronounce it as a unit; the "й" in "отпущения" is a palatal approximant, like "y" in "yes".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A person who is unfairly blamed or used as a scapegoat.

Translation(s) & Context:

• жертва - Used in informal contexts to describe someone manipulated in everyday situations, such as in arguments or workplace scenarios.
• козёл отпущения - Applied in formal or historical contexts, like legal or biblical references, to denote a designated blame-taker.

Usage Examples:

• Он стал жертвой обстоятельств и потерял работу. (He became a victim of circumstances and lost his job.)

  English: He became a victim of circumstances and lost his job. (This example shows "жертва" in a nominative case, illustrating personal misfortune.)

• В этой истории главный герой — козёл отпущения для всей группы. (In this story, the main character is the scapegoat for the entire group.)

  English: In this story, the main character is the scapegoat for the entire group. (Demonstrates the idiomatic use in narrative contexts.)

• Она не хотела быть жертвой чужих интриг. (She didn't want to be a patsy in others' intrigues.)

  English: She didn't want to be a patsy in others' intrigues. (Highlights "жертва" in a genitive context, showing relational dynamics.)

• Компания сделала из него козла отпущения, чтобы избежать скандала. (The company made him the scapegoat to avoid a scandal.)

  English: The company made him the scapegoat to avoid a scandal. (Example of formal usage in professional settings.)

• Как жертва мошенников, он теперь осторожен с инвестициями. (As a patsy of scammers, he is now cautious with investments.)

  English: As a patsy of scammers, he is now cautious with investments. (Shows "жертва" in an instrumental case, emphasizing the role.)

Meaning 2: A gullible or easily manipulated person (more slangy in English).

Translation(s) & Context:

• жертва - In casual speech, to imply naivety or vulnerability in social interactions.

Usage Examples:

• Не будь жертвой — проверь договор перед подписью. (Don't be a patsy — check the contract before signing.)

  English: Don't be a patsy — check the contract before signing. (Illustrates imperative use for advice.)

• Он всегда жертва своих друзей, которые его обманывают. (He's always a patsy to his friends who deceive him.)

  English: He's always a patsy to his friends who deceive him. (Shows possessive context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "жертва" (a feminine noun, 1st declension), it undergoes regular case changes. "Козёл отпущения" is a fixed phrase but inflects as a noun phrase.

"Козёл отпущения" does not inflect as a unit but follows standard noun rules: e.g., Genitive: козла отпущения.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пострадавший (postradavshiy) - More neutral, for someone who has suffered.
  • мишень (mishen') - Implies a target, often in contexts of blame.
• Antonyms:
  • обвинитель (obviniteĺ) - The accuser or blamer.
  • защитник (zashchitnik) - A defender or protector.

Related Phrases:

• Стать жертвой обмана (Stat' zhertvoy obmana) - To become a victim of deception; used for situations of fraud.
• Козёл отпущения в политике (Kozël otpushcheniya v politike) - Scapegoat in politics; refers to public figures taking blame.
• Жертва обстоятельств (Zhertva obstoyatel'stv) - Victim of circumstances; a common expression for bad luck.

Usage Notes:

"Жертва" directly corresponds to "patsy" in informal English but should be used with appropriate cases in Russian sentences to avoid grammatical errors. For formal contexts, "козёл отпущения" is preferred as it carries a biblical connotation. Choose based on the setting: informal for daily conversations and formal for written or professional use. Note that Russian often requires prepositions with cases, e.g., "жертвой" in instrumental for "as a patsy".

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "жертва" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я жертва" instead of "Я стал жертвой" in a sentence requiring genitive.
  Correct: "Он был жертвой системы." (He was a patsy of the system.)
  Explanation: English speakers often overlook Russian case requirements, leading to ungrammatical structures.
• Mistake: Literal translation of "patsy" as "пэтси" (a made-up word), instead of using established Russian equivalents.
  Correct: Use "жертва" or the full phrase.
  Explanation: This results from direct transliteration; always opt for idiomatic Russian expressions.

Cultural Notes:

The phrase "козёл отпущения" originates from the Bible (Leviticus), symbolizing a ritual where sins are transferred to a goat. In Russian culture, it's often used in literature and media to critique social injustices, reflecting a historical emphasis on collective responsibility in Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• обман (obman) - Deception
• интрига (intriga) - Intrigue
• ответственность (otvetstvennost') - Responsibility