Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'profane'

English Word: profane

Key Russian Translations:

• неприличный /nʲɪˈprʲilʲɪtɕnɨj/ - [Informal, often used for obscene or vulgar language]
• кощунственный /kɐʂˈt͡ɕunstvʲɪnɨj/ - [Formal, typically in religious or sacred contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, media, and everyday discussions about language or religion)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of nuanced adjectives and cultural connotations in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неприличный: /nʲɪˈprʲilʲɪtɕnɨj/

Note on неприличный: The stress is on the third syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'л' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

кощунственный: /kɐʂˈt͡ɕunstvʲɪnɨj/

Note on кощунственный: Pronounce the 'щ' as a voiceless postalveolar fricative, similar to 'sh' in 'shoe' but more emphatic; common in formal speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Relating to irreverent or obscene language

Translation(s) & Context:

• неприличный - Used in informal contexts for profane words or expressions in casual conversation or media.
• кощунственный - Less common, but applicable in contexts involving blasphemy or vulgarity in religious discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Он использовал неприличные слова во время спора. (He used profane words during the argument.)

  Translation: He used profane words during the argument.

• В фильме есть сцены с неприличным языком, которые могут шокировать зрителей. (The movie has scenes with profane language that might shock viewers.)

  Translation: The movie has scenes with profane language that might shock viewers.

• Не используй неприличные выражения в общественных местах. (Don't use profane expressions in public places.)

  Translation: Don't use profane expressions in public places.

• Его неприличный юмор не всегда уместен на вечеринках. (His profane humor isn't always appropriate at parties.)

  Translation: His profane humor isn't always appropriate at parties.

Meaning 2: Secular or not connected to religion

Translation(s) & Context:

• неприличный - Rarely used for this meaning; more for vulgarity.
• кощунственный - Primarily for contexts where something is irreverent towards sacred matters.

Usage Examples:

• Это кощунственный подход к религиозным традициям. (This is a profane approach to religious traditions.)

  Translation: This is a profane approach to religious traditions.

• В его книге есть кощунственные описания святых мест. (In his book, there are profane descriptions of holy places.)

  Translation: In his book, there are profane descriptions of holy places.

• Кощунственный юмор в искусстве иногда вызывает споры. (Profane humor in art sometimes sparks controversy.)

  Translation: Profane humor in art sometimes sparks controversy.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "неприличный" and "кощунственный" are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for first-declension adjectives.

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular inflections and follow the standard rules for hard-stem adjectives in Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вульгарный (vulgarnyy) - Similar to неприличный, but more focused on crudeness.
  • богохульный (bogokhulnyy) - Synonymous with кощунственный in religious contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • приличный (prilichnyy) - Decent or proper.
  • святой (svyatoj) - Holy or sacred.

Related Phrases:

• неприличное выражение (neprilichnoe vyrazhenie) - A profane expression; used in contexts of inappropriate language.
• кощунственный акт (koshchunstvennyj akt) - A profane act; often in discussions of blasphemy or irreverence.
• ругательства и неприличные слова (rugatelstva i neprilichnye slova) - Profanities and profane words; common in linguistic or social commentary.

Usage Notes:

"Profane" in English often corresponds to "неприличный" for everyday vulgarity and "кощунственный" for religious irreverence. In Russian, be mindful of context: "неприличный" is more casual and can be used in spoken language, while "кощунственный" is formal and might carry legal implications in sensitive topics. Choose based on the setting—informal for general profanity, formal for sacred matters. Grammatically, these adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "неприличный" in a religious context where "кощунственный" is more appropriate. For example, saying "неприличный храм" (neprilichnyj khram) instead of "кощунственный акт в храме" (koshchunstvennyj akt v khrame). Correct: Opt for "кощунственный" to avoid sounding overly casual. Explanation: This confuses the levels of formality and meaning.
• Mistake: Failing to inflect the adjective correctly, e.g., saying "неприличный женщина" instead of "неприличная женщина". Correct: "неприличная женщина". Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender, so always adjust endings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, profanity (often linked to "неприличный") has historical roots in folklore and Soviet-era censorship. Words like those derived from "неприличный" can be taboo in public or formal settings, reflecting a strong emphasis on decorum. "Кощунственный" ties into Russia's Orthodox Christian heritage, where irreverence towards religious symbols can lead to social or legal backlash, as seen in cases involving art or public protests.

Related Concepts:

• ругательство (rugatelstvo) - Swearing or cursing.
• богохульство (bogokhulstvo) - Blasphemy.
• вульгарность (vulgarность) - Vulgarity.