Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'promiscuous'

English Word: promiscuous

Key Russian Translations:

• распутный [rɐˈsputnɨj] - [Informal, often used in contexts involving moral or sexual behavior]
• неразборчивый [nʲɪrɐˈzborsʲɪvɨj] - [Informal, more general for indiscriminate choices, e.g., in relationships]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, discussions on ethics, or modern media, but not everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate) for "распутный"; C1 (Advanced) for "неразборчивый" due to nuanced cultural implications and sensitive topics

Pronunciation (Russian):

распутный: rɐˈsputnɨj

неразборчивый: nʲɪrɐˈzborsʲɪvɨj

Note on распутный: The stress is on the second syllable; be cautious with the 'у' sound, which is a short 'u' like in "put." Variations in fast speech may soften the consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Relating to sexual promiscuity or lack of restraint in relationships

Translation(s) & Context:

• распутный - Used in informal or literary contexts to describe someone with multiple casual partners, often with a negative connotation.
• неразборчивый - Applied in broader social contexts, such as choosing partners without care, emphasizing poor judgment.

Usage Examples:

• Он вёл распутный образ жизни в молодости, что привело к множеству проблем.

  He led a promiscuous lifestyle in his youth, which led to many problems.

• В романе героиня изображена как неразборчивая в связях женщина, ищущая приключений.

  In the novel, the heroine is depicted as a promiscuous woman seeking adventures without discretion.

• Распутный характер персонажа делает его непривлекательным для аудитории.

  The promiscuous nature of the character makes him unappealing to the audience.

• Она всегда была неразборчивой в выборе партнёров, что удивляло её друзей.

  She was always promiscuous in choosing partners, which surprised her friends.

Secondary Meaning: Mixed, indiscriminate, or haphazard (non-sexual contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неразборчивый - Used for situations involving poor selection or mixing without order, e.g., in collections or behaviors.

Usage Examples:

• Его коллекция книг была неразборчивой, включая как классику, так и дешевые романы.

  His collection of books was promiscuous, including both classics and cheap novels.

• Неразборчивый подход к инвестициям может привести к большим потерям.

  A promiscuous approach to investments can lead to significant losses.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. "Распутный" is a regular adjective following standard patterns, while "неразборчивый" is also regular but longer, making it slightly more complex.

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular inflections; they follow the standard first-declension pattern for Russian adjectives.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • развратный (razvratnyy) - Similar but more intense, implying moral corruption.
  • беспринципный (besprintsipnyy) - Emphasizes lack of principles, often in decision-making.
• Antonyms:
  • верный (vernyy) - Faithful or loyal, especially in relationships.
  • разборчивый (razborchivyy) - Discerning or selective, the opposite of indiscriminate choices.

Related Phrases:

• распутный образ жизни - A promiscuous lifestyle; refers to a pattern of unrestrained behavior, often with negative implications.
• неразборчивый в связях - Promiscuous in relationships; used to describe someone who forms connections without caution.
• распутная женщина - A promiscuous woman; a phrase from literature, highlighting societal judgments.

Usage Notes:

These translations, particularly "распутный," carry strong negative connotations in Russian culture, often linked to moral or ethical judgments. Unlike English "promiscuous," which can be neutral in some contexts, Russian equivalents are typically informal and pejorative. Use "неразборчивый" for broader, less sexually charged meanings. Be mindful of gender sensitivity, as Russian adjectives agree with nouns. When choosing between translations, opt for "распутный" in personal or literary contexts and "неразборчивый" for everyday decisions.

• Grammar note: Always inflect the adjective to match the noun's gender, number, and case.
• Cultural tip: In Russian media, these words often appear in discussions of social norms, so they may evoke traditional values.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse "распутный" by applying it too broadly without considering its strong moral undertones, confusing it with neutral terms. For example:

• Error: Saying "он неразборчивый человек" to mean a socially active person, but implying poor judgment incorrectly.
• Correct: "Он общительный человек" (He is a sociable person) instead, to avoid negative connotations.
• Another error: Failing to inflect the adjective, e.g., using "распутный" with a feminine noun without changing to "распутная." Explanation: Russian requires agreement, so always adjust for gender and case to sound natural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "распутный" are influenced by historical literary traditions, such as in Dostoevsky's works, where they reflect societal critiques of morality. They often carry a conservative undertone, stemming from Orthodox Christian values, and are used in discussions about personal ethics rather than as neutral descriptors.

Related Concepts:

• разврат (razvrat) - Debauchery
• мораль (moral') - Morality
• свободные отношения (svobodnye otnosheniya) - Free relationships