Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'profligate'

English Word: profligate

Key Russian Translations:

• расточиительный [rəstəʧʲɪtʲɪvɨj] - [Formal, used in contexts involving financial extravagance]
• развратный [rəzvrɑtnɨj] - [Informal, used in moral or behavioral contexts]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations appear in literature, formal writing, and discussions about ethics or finance, but not in everyday casual conversation.

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level should grasp the nuances, though the adjective declensions may pose challenges for beginners.

Pronunciation (Russian):

расточиительный: [rəstəʧʲɪtʲɪvɨj]

развратный: [rəzvrɑtnɨj]

Note on расточительный: The stress falls on the third syllable ("то"), which is common in Russian adjectives; be cautious with the soft 'т' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

Note on развратный: Pronounce the 'р' as a rolled 'r', and note the soft 'т' for accuracy in informal speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Wasteful or extravagant (referring to spending money recklessly)

Translation(s) & Context:

• расточиительный - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe someone who is financially irresponsible, often implying criticism.

Usage Examples:

• Его расточительный образ жизни привел к банкротству. (His profligate lifestyle led to bankruptcy.)

  His profligate lifestyle led to bankruptcy.

• Не будьте расточительным с деньгами, это может нанести вред вашему будущему. (Don't be profligate with money; it can harm your future.)

  Don't be profligate with money; it can harm your future.

• Расточительный ужин в ресторане обошелся ему в целое состояние. (The profligate dinner at the restaurant cost him a fortune.)

  The profligate dinner at the restaurant cost him a fortune.

• В романе описывается расточительный герой, который тратит наследство на frivolities. (The novel depicts a profligate hero who spends his inheritance on frivolities.)

  The novel depicts a profligate hero who spends his inheritance on frivolities.

Meaning 2: Morally dissolute or debauched (referring to immoral behavior)

Translation(s) & Context:

• развратный - Used in informal or ethical discussions to describe someone with loose morals, often in a judgmental tone.

Usage Examples:

• Его развратный образ жизни шокировал общество. (His profligate lifestyle shocked society.)

  His profligate lifestyle shocked society.

• Развратный персонаж в фильме символизирует падение морали. (The profligate character in the film symbolizes moral decline.)

  The profligate character in the film symbolizes moral decline.

• Не поддавайтесь развратным соблазнам, чтобы сохранить репутацию. (Don't succumb to profligate temptations to preserve your reputation.)

  Don't succumb to profligate temptations to preserve your reputation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are adjectives, which in Russian undergo declension based on gender, number, and case. They follow the standard first-declension pattern for adjectives, with some irregularities in spelling for soft consonants.

Note: These adjectives do not change in the instrumental or prepositional cases without context, but always agree with the noun they modify.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • экстравагантный - Similar to 'profligate' but with a more neutral or positive connotation of being flamboyant.
  • бесхозяйственный - Used specifically for wasteful management, often in a practical context.
• Antonyms:
  • бережливый - Means thrifty or economical, contrasting with financial wastefulness.
  • моральный - Implies moral uprightness, opposing moral dissoluteness.

Related Phrases:

• расточиительная трата - A profligate expenditure; used in financial discussions to highlight wasteful spending.
• развратный образ жизни - A profligate lifestyle; common in ethical or literary contexts to describe immoral living.
• вести расточительную жизнь - To lead a profligate life; implies ongoing extravagance with potential negative outcomes.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'расточиительный' closely matches the financial aspect of 'profligate' and is preferred in formal or written contexts, while 'развратный' aligns with the moral aspect and is more common in informal speech. Always ensure the adjective agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies, as Russian grammar requires this for clarity. When choosing between translations, consider the context: use 'расточиительный' for economic themes and 'развратный' for behavioral ones. Be aware that these words carry a negative connotation, similar to English, so they are rarely used positively.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'расточиительный' with 'щедрый' (generous): Learners might misuse 'щедрый' for 'profligate', thinking it means wasteful generosity. Correct usage: 'Щедрый' implies positive giving, while 'расточиительный' denotes reckless waste. Example of error: *Он щедрый с деньгами* (meaning he is generous, not profligate). Correct: Он расточительный с деньгами.

• Forgetting adjective agreement: English speakers often neglect to change the ending, e.g., saying *расточиительный женщина* instead of *расточиительная женщина*. This makes the sentence grammatically incorrect. Always adjust for gender and case.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'развратный' often evoke themes from 19th-century literature, such as in Dostoevsky's works, where profligate behavior symbolizes moral decay and societal critique. This reflects historical Russian emphasis on personal ethics and the consequences of excess, which can help English learners appreciate the deeper, often judgmental undertones in modern Russian discourse.

Related Concepts:

• жадный (greedy)
• моральный упадок (moral decline)
• экономный (economical)