Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'prodigal'

English Word: prodigal

Key Russian Translations:

• Расточительный /ra.stɐˈt͡ɕi.tʲi.vɨj/ - [Adjective, Formal]
• Блудный /ˈblud.nɨj/ - [Adjective, Literary, Biblical context]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, formal writing, and discussions of morality or finance)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for both translations, as they involve understanding nuanced adjectives and cultural references

Pronunciation (Russian):

Расточительный: /ra.stɐˈt͡ɕi.tʲi.vɨj/

Note on Расточительный: This word has stress on the third syllable ("t͡ɕi"), which can be tricky for learners due to Russian's variable stress patterns. It may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Блудный: /ˈblud.nɨj/

Note on Блудный: The initial stress on "blud" is straightforward, but the word is often used in fixed phrases, so pronunciation remains consistent in context.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Wasteful or extravagant (referring to someone who spends money or resources recklessly)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Расточительный - Used in formal or financial contexts to describe excessive spending, often with a negative connotation.

Usage Examples:

• Он был расточительным в расходах на развлечения. (He was prodigal with his spending on entertainment.)

  He was wasteful with his spending on entertainment.

• Её расточительный образ жизни привёл к финансовым проблемам. (Her prodigal lifestyle led to financial problems.)

  Her extravagant lifestyle resulted in financial difficulties.

• Расточительный подход к ресурсам неуместен в кризис. (A prodigal approach to resources is inappropriate during a crisis.)

  A wasteful approach to resources is not suitable in times of crisis.

• Молодой наследник стал расточительным после получения богатства. (The young heir became prodigal after inheriting wealth.)

  The young heir turned extravagant upon receiving his inheritance.

• Расточительный ужин в ресторане обошёлся в круглую сумму. (The prodigal dinner at the restaurant cost a fortune.)

  The extravagant dinner at the restaurant was very expensive.

Meaning 2: The Prodigal Son (biblical or metaphorical reference to someone who returns after straying)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Блудный - Primarily used in literary or religious contexts, such as the Bible's parable, to denote wandering or moral deviation.

Usage Examples:

• Блудный сын вернулся домой после долгих скитаний. (The prodigal son returned home after long wanderings.)

  The wayward son came back home after years of roaming.

• В этой истории главный герой — блудный сын, ищущий прощения. (In this story, the main character is the prodigal son seeking forgiveness.)

  In this narrative, the protagonist is the prodigal son in search of redemption.

• Блудный путь часто приводит к прозрению. (The prodigal path often leads to enlightenment.)

  The wayward journey frequently results in self-realization.

• Она описала свою жизнь как историю блудного сына. (She described her life as the story of a prodigal son.)

  She portrayed her life as that of a wayward individual.

• Блудный персонаж в романе символизирует потерянную душу. (The prodigal character in the novel symbolizes a lost soul.)

  The wayward figure in the book represents a spiritually lost person.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are adjectives, which in Russian typically inflect based on gender, number, and case. "Расточительный" is a regular adjective following the first declension pattern, while "Блудный" is also regular but often used in fixed phrases.

Note: These adjectives do not change irregularly, making them straightforward for learners, but always adjust for agreement with the noun they modify.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Экстравагантный (extravagant, with a flair of style), Бесхозяйственный (wasteful, implying poor management) - Экстравагантный often connotes positive excess, while Бесхозяйственный is more negative.
• Antonyms: Экономный (economical, thrifty), Осторожный (cautious, in spending)

Related Phrases:

• Расточительство - Wastefulness (a noun form, used to describe excessive spending or behavior; meaning: the act of being prodigal with resources).
• Блудный сын - The Prodigal Son (a fixed phrase from the Bible; meaning: a wayward person who returns home, often symbolizing redemption).
• Расточительный образ жизни - Prodigal lifestyle (meaning: a life of extravagance and waste).

Usage Notes:

"Расточительный" directly corresponds to the wasteful aspect of "prodigal" and is best used in modern, everyday contexts like finance or personal habits. "Блудный" is more literary and tied to biblical or metaphorical meanings, so reserve it for stories or discussions of morality. In formal Russian, ensure adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they describe. When choosing between translations, opt for "Расточительный" for general wastefulness and "Блудный" for themes of wandering or return.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "Блудный" with "Продажный" (meaning corrupt or venal), thinking it implies moral corruption rather than wandering. Correct usage: Use "Блудный" for the biblical sense, e.g., "Блудный сын" instead of "Продажный сын" (which would mean "corrupt son").
• Another error is failing to inflect the adjective properly, e.g., saying "Расточительный женщина" instead of "Расточительная женщина" (feminine form). Correct: Always match gender, as in "Расточительная" for feminine nouns.

Cultural Notes:

"Блудный" is deeply rooted in Russian Orthodox culture, deriving from the Bible's Parable of the Prodigal Son, which emphasizes themes of forgiveness and redemption. In Russian literature and folklore, it often symbolizes personal growth through error, reflecting broader Slavic cultural values of repentance and family reconciliation.

Related Concepts:

• Раскаяние (repentance)
• Скитания (wanderings)
• Экстравагантность (extravagance)