Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'prudery'

English Word: prudery

Key Russian Translations:

• ханжество [/xanʲˈʐɛstvə/] - [Formal]
• притворная скромность [/prʲɪtˈvoɾnəjə ˈskromnəsʲtʲ/] - [Informal, often used in everyday conversation]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, discussions on ethics, and social commentary, but not in casual daily speech).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and nuanced vocabulary, with "ханжество" being slightly more challenging due to its cultural connotations, while "притворная скромность" is easier for beginners).

Pronunciation (Russian):

ханжество: /xanʲˈʐɛstvə/ (The "х" is a guttural sound like in "loch" in Scottish English; stress on the second syllable. Note on ханжество: Be careful with the soft "нʲ" which affects the preceding consonant.)

притворная скромность: /prʲɪtˈvoɾnəjə ˈskromnəsʲtʲ/ (Stress on the third syllable of "притворная" and the second of "скромность". Note on притворная скромность: The word "притворная" has a rolling "р" that can vary regionally.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: Excessive or affected modesty, often hypocritical, in moral or social behavior.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ханжество - Used in formal contexts like literary criticism or ethical discussions to describe feigned moral superiority.
• притворная скромность - Applied in informal settings, such as everyday conversations about personal relationships, to highlight insincere humility.

Usage Examples:

• Его ханжество в вопросах морали раздражало всех вокруг. (His prudery on moral issues annoyed everyone around.)

  Translation: His prudery on moral issues annoyed everyone around.

• Она демонстрирует притворную скромность, но на самом деле очень амбициозна. (She displays feigned modesty, but in reality, she is very ambitious.)

  Translation: She displays prudery, but in reality, she is very ambitious.

• В викторианской эпохе ханжество было распространено в обществе. (In the Victorian era, prudery was widespread in society.)

  Translation: In the Victorian era, prudery was widespread in society.

• Его притворная скромность в разговоре о деньгах обманула друзей. (His feigned modesty in talking about money deceived his friends.)

  Translation: His prudery in talking about money deceived his friends.

• Ханжество политиков часто маскирует их истинные мотивы. (The prudery of politicians often masks their true motives.)

  Translation: The prudery of politicians often masks their true motives.

Secondary meaning: Outward show of excessive propriety, often leading to rigidity in social norms.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ханжество - In contexts involving cultural or historical analysis, emphasizing societal hypocrisy.
• притворная скромность - In modern, interpersonal scenarios, like family dynamics, to denote insincere behavior.

Usage Examples:

• Ханжество в искусстве XIX века отражало социальные нормы. (Prudery in 19th-century art reflected social norms.)

  Translation: Prudery in 19th-century art reflected social norms.

• Её притворная скромность на публике контрастирует с её частной жизнью. (Her feigned modesty in public contrasts with her private life.)

  Translation: Her prudery in public contrasts with her private life.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Ханжество" is a neuter noun in Russian, following the standard third declension pattern with regular inflections based on case and number. It does not have gender variations but changes by case.

"Притворная скромность" is a phrase where "притворная" is an adjective (feminine form) and "скромность" is a feminine noun. "Скромность" follows first declension patterns:

Note: These are regular inflections; no irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • лицемерие (hypocrisy; similar but more general, often implying deceit in actions)
  • фарисейство (Pharisaism; used for religious hypocrisy, with a biblical connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • искренность (sincerity; direct opposite, emphasizing genuine behavior)
  • откровенность (openness; highlights transparency in contrast to feigned modesty)

Related Phrases:

• ханжеское поведение - (Hypocritical behavior; used to describe actions that exhibit prudery in social interactions.)
• притворная скромность в обществе - (Feigned modesty in society; refers to cultural displays of excessive propriety.)
• бороться с ханжеством - (To fight against prudery; a phrase in activist contexts for challenging moral hypocrisy.)

Usage Notes:

Prudery translates most accurately to "ханжество" in formal or literary contexts, where it conveys a sense of moral hypocrisy, but "притворная скромность" is better for everyday, informal use to describe insincere modesty. English speakers should note that Russian often pairs these words with adjectives or in phrases to specify context, such as social or ethical scenarios. Choose "ханжество" for broader, abstract discussions and "притворная скромность" for personal narratives. Grammatically, always decline nouns according to case for natural flow in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "ханжество" with "лицемерие": Learners might overuse "лицемерие" (hypocrisy) for general deceit, but for prudery's specific moral overtone, use "ханжество". Incorrect: "Он лицемерие в морали" (wrong word choice). Correct: "Он ханжество в морали" – Explanation: "Лицемерие" is broader, while "ханжество" targets feigned virtue.
• Forgetting inflections: Beginners often leave nouns undeclined, e.g., saying "в ханжество" instead of "в ханжестве". Correct form: "в ханжестве" for prepositional case – Explanation: This makes sentences grammatically incorrect and unnatural in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "ханжество" often evokes 19th-century literary themes, as seen in works by Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, where it criticizes societal hypocrisy and rigid moral standards. It carries a historical connotation of critiquing the elite's feigned piety, helping English users understand its role in Russian social commentary and the value placed on authenticity over appearances.

Related Concepts:

• лицемерие
• фарисейство
• искренность