Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'peccadillo'

English Word: peccadillo

Key Russian Translations:

• мелкий проступок [ˈmʲɛlkʲɪj prɐˈstupək] - [Informal, Everyday use]
• пустяковый грех [pʊˈstʲjakəvɨj ɡrʲɛx] - [Formal, Literary or religious contexts]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are encountered in everyday Russian conversations but not as commonly as basic vocabulary; more frequent in literature or discussions about ethics.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - For "мелкий проступок", suitable for intermediate learners; for "пустяковый грех", it may lean towards B2 due to its slightly more formal or archaic connotations.

Pronunciation (Russian):

мелкий проступок: [ˈmʲɛlkʲɪj prɐˈstupək]

пустяковый грех: [pʊˈstʲjakəvɨj ɡrʲɛx]

Note on пустяковый грех: The stress on "пустяковый" can vary slightly in fast speech, potentially shifting to the first syllable; be mindful of the soft sign (ь) which affects pronunciation fluidity.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A minor fault or imperfection, often not considered serious

Translation(s) & Context:

• мелкий проступок - Used in casual, everyday contexts to describe a trivial mistake, such as a small social error in informal settings.
• пустяковый грех - Applied in more formal or moral discussions, like in literature or religious texts, to imply a venial sin without severe consequences.

Usage Examples:

• Он не сердился на её мелкий проступок, так как это было всего лишь забывчивостью.

  He wasn't angry about her peccadillo, as it was just a moment of forgetfulness.

• В повседневной жизни многие пустяковые грехи прощаются без последствий.

  In everyday life, many peccadilloes are forgiven without consequences.

• Этот мелкий проступок не повлиял на их дружбу, ведь все люди совершают ошибки.

  This peccadillo didn't affect their friendship, as everyone makes mistakes.

• Писатель описал персонажа, чьи пустяковые грехи делали его более человечным.

  The writer described a character whose peccadilloes made him more human.

• Она извинилась за мелкий проступок, но друзья посмеялись и не придали этому значения.

  She apologized for the peccadillo, but her friends laughed it off and didn't take it seriously.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "мелкий проступок" (adjective + noun): "Мелкий" is an adjective that agrees with the noun in gender, number, and case. "Проступок" is a masculine noun in the second declension, which follows regular patterns. It does not have irregular forms.

For "пустяковый грех" (adjective + noun): Similar to above, "пустяковый" is an adjective that inflects regularly, and "грех" is a masculine noun with standard second-declension patterns. No irregularities noted.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мелкая ошибка (slight error; more neutral and common in modern speech)
  • незначительный недостаток (insignificant flaw; used in formal critiques)
• Antonyms:
  • серьезный проступок (serious offense; implies greater consequences)
  • тяжелый грех (grave sin; often with moral or religious undertones)

Related Phrases:

• совершить мелкий проступок - To commit a minor offense; used in contexts discussing everyday mistakes.
• простить пустяковый грех - To forgive a peccadillo; common in interpersonal or ethical discussions.
• неприятный мелкий проступок - An unpleasant little fault; highlights negative but trivial aspects.

Usage Notes:

"Мелкий проступок" is the most straightforward translation for "peccadillo" in informal English-Russian contexts, emphasizing triviality without moral weight. Choose "пустяковый грех" for situations involving ethics or literature, as it carries a slight religious connotation. Be aware of grammatical agreement: the adjective must match the noun's case, gender, and number. In spoken Russian, these phrases are often used in narratives or casual advice, but avoid them in highly formal writing unless context demands it.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "большой проступок" (big offense) instead of "мелкий проступок" to translate "peccadillo", which overstates the severity. Correct: Stick to "мелкий" to maintain the sense of triviality. Example of error: "Его большой проступок был прощен" (incorrectly implying a major fault). Correct example: "Его мелкий проступок был прощен" – This ensures the minor nature is preserved.

• Error: Forgetting adjective-noun agreement, e.g., saying "мелкий проступки" in plural. Correct: Use "мелкие проступки" for plural forms. This is common among beginners due to English's lack of declensions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "пустяковый грех" may evoke influences from Orthodox Christianity, where minor sins are often confessed and forgiven without severe penance, contrasting with more rigid interpretations in other traditions. This reflects a broader Russian literary theme of human imperfection, as seen in works by Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, where peccadilloes humanize characters.

Related Concepts:

• грех (sin)
• ошибка (error)
• недостаток (flaw)