Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'prig'

English Word: prig

Key Russian Translations:

• Ханжа [xanʐa] - [Informal, often used in everyday conversations to denote hypocrisy]
• Фарисей [fa'rʲisʲej] - [Formal, literary or religious contexts, implying self-righteous behavior]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in casual speech but appears in literature, media, or discussions about social behavior.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of nuanced vocabulary and cultural connotations. For 'Ханжа', it's B2; for 'Фарисей', it might lean towards C1 due to its biblical undertones.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Ханжа: [xanʐa]

Фарисей: [fa'rʲisʲej]

Note on Ханжа: The initial 'x' sound is a voiceless velar fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish "loch". It's a common challenge for English speakers due to the guttural pronunciation.

Note on Фарисей: The 'rʲ' indicates a palatalized 'r', which softens the sound; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A self-righteous, smugly moralistic person who pretends to have high moral standards.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Ханжа - Used in informal, everyday contexts to criticize someone hypocritical in their actions, such as in social or family settings.
• Фарисей - Applied in more formal or intellectual discussions, often with a historical or religious connotation, like in literature or debates.

Usage Examples:

• Он такой ханжа, всегда осуждает других за мелкие ошибки, но сам скрывает свои пороки.

  He is such a prig, always condemning others for minor faults but hiding his own vices.

• В этом обществе полно фарисеев, которые проповедуют мораль, но не следуют ей в жизни.

  In this society, there are plenty of prigs who preach morality but don't follow it in life.

• Не будь ханжей; если ты критикуешь кого-то, начни с самоанализа.

  Don't be a prig; if you're criticizing someone, start with self-analysis.

• Её фарисейское поведение на публике контрастирует с реальностью.

  Her priggish behavior in public contrasts with reality.

• Ханжа в семье – это тот, кто жалуется на чужие привычки, игнорируя свои.

  A prig in the family is someone who complains about others' habits while ignoring their own.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'Ханжа' and 'Фарисей' are nouns. 'Ханжа' is a feminine noun (2nd declension), while 'Фарисей' is masculine (1st declension). Russian nouns inflect based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table for their key inflections:

Note: These follow regular declension patterns, but 'Фарисей' may vary slightly in poetic or archaic usage. If the word is used in plural, it can indicate multiple such individuals.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Сноб [snob] - Often implies elitism; Лицемер [lʲitsʲimʲɛr] - More general for hypocrite, with subtle differences in connotation based on context.
• Antonyms: Открытый человек [open person] - Suggests honesty and transparency; Искренний [iskrenniy] - Meaning sincere, contrasting the pretentious nature.

Related Phrases:

• Ханжеский образ жизни - A hypocritical way of life; often used to describe inconsistent moral behavior in daily routines.
• Фарисейские манеры - Priggish manners; refers to overly self-righteous etiquette in social interactions.
• Быть ханжей в мелочах - To be a prig about trifles; highlights nitpicking in minor matters.

Usage Notes:

'Ханжа' and 'Фарисей' both translate to 'prig' but with nuances: 'Ханжа' is more colloquial and fits informal English equivalents like 'hypocrite', while 'Фарисей' carries a formal, almost biblical tone, similar to 'Pharisee' in English. Use 'Ханжа' in everyday conversations to avoid sounding overly literary. Be cautious with context; these words are negative and can offend. For learners, choose based on the setting—informal for 'Ханжа' and formal for 'Фарисей'. Grammatically, they decline as standard nouns, so pay attention to case agreements in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'Ханжа' in formal writing, which might sound too casual. Correct: Opt for 'Фарисей' in essays or professional contexts. Example of error: "В статье он назвал политика ханжей" (incorrectly informal). Correct: "В статье он назвал политика фарисеем" – This maintains a appropriate tone.

• Error: Forgetting declension, e.g., saying "Я видел ханжа" instead of "Я видел ханжу" in accusative case. Explanation: Russian requires case agreement; always check the sentence structure to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'Ханжа' and 'Фарисей' often appear in literature and satire, such as in the works of Chekhov or Dostoevsky, to criticize societal hypocrisy. 'Фарисей' draws from biblical references, reflecting historical distrust of religious pretense, which can help English users understand deeper social critiques in Russian media.

Related Concepts:

• Снобизм
• Лицемерие
• Моральный фанатизм