Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'prurience'

English Word: prurience

Key Russian Translations:

• похотливость /pɐˈxotʲlʲɪvəstʲ/ - [Formal, Literary]
• слюнявость /slʲʊˈnævəstʲ/ - [Informal, Colloquial]

Frequency: Low (This word is rarely used in everyday Russian conversation, typically appearing in literary, psychological, or formal discussions.)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate) for похотливость; C1 (Advanced) for слюнявость due to its informal and context-specific nuances.

Pronunciation (Russian):

похотливость: /pɐˈxotʲlʲɪvəstʲ/ (Stress on the second syllable; note the soft 'т' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.)

слюнявость: /slʲʊˈnævəstʲ/ (Emphasize the initial 'sl' cluster; the 'ю' sound is similar to 'yu' in "yurt".)

Note on похотливость: Be cautious with the soft consonants; mispronouncing can alter the word's perceived formality.

Note on слюнявость: This is often pronounced more rapidly in casual speech, potentially slurring the 'в' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Excessive sexual desire or morbid curiosity

Translation(s) & Context:

• похотливость - Used in formal, literary, or psychological contexts to describe an unhealthy or obsessive interest in sexual matters, often with a negative connotation.
• слюнявость - Applied in informal settings, such as slang or everyday talk, to denote vulgar or immature sexual obsession.

Usage Examples:

• Его похотливость проявлялась в постоянном интересе к эротической литературе.

  His prurience manifested in a constant interest in erotic literature.

• Слюнявость этого персонажа сделала его отталкивающим для окружающих.

  The prurience of this character made him repulsive to those around him.

• Похотливость часто изображается в классической русской литературе как признак морального упадка.

  Prurience is often depicted in classical Russian literature as a sign of moral decline.

• В современном обществе слюнявость может привести к социальному ostracism'у.

  In modern society, prurience can lead to social ostracism.

• Её похотливость была скрытой, но очевидной для тех, кто знал её близко.

  Her prurience was hidden but obvious to those who knew her well.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "похотливость" and "слюнявость" are feminine nouns in Russian, belonging to the first declension group. They follow standard patterns for adjectives turned into abstract nouns, with regular inflections based on case, number, and gender. "Похотливость" is invariant in its base form but changes in declension, while "слюнявость" is similarly regular.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward for learners, but always pay attention to the soft endings in instrumental and prepositional cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: похоть (more direct, physical desire; often used in biblical or archaic contexts), вожделение (intense craving, with a slightly more neutral tone)
• Antonyms: воздержание (self-restraint, especially in sexual matters), целомудрие (chastity, implying purity)

Related Phrases:

• Сексуальная похотливость - A phrase meaning "sexual prurience," often used in psychological or medical discussions to describe obsessive behavior.
• Похотливые мысли - Refers to "prurient thoughts," commonly in contexts of self-reflection or therapy.
• Слюнявые фантазии - An informal expression for "prurient fantasies," typically in casual conversations about pop culture or relationships.

Usage Notes:

"Похотливость" directly corresponds to the formal, literary sense of "prurience" in English, making it ideal for academic or professional contexts. In contrast, "слюнявость" is more colloquial and should be avoided in formal writing due to its vulgar undertones. When choosing between translations, consider the audience: use "похотливость" for educated discussions and "слюнявость" for everyday, informal speech. Grammatically, these nouns require agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying words, such as adjectives or verbs.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "похотливость" with "похоть": Learners might use "похоть" interchangeably, but it's more blunt and less nuanced. Error: "Он имеет похоть." Correct: "У него есть похотливость." Explanation: "Похоть" implies raw desire, while "похотливость" conveys a sustained, unhealthy state.
• Misapplying inflections: For example, using the nominative in all cases. Error: "Из-за похотливость" (incorrect genitive). Correct: "Из-за похотливости." Explanation: Always decline based on the sentence structure to maintain grammatical accuracy.
• Overusing in formal contexts: Beginners might insert "слюнявость" in essays. Error: "В литературе слюнявость преобладает." Correct: "В литературе преобладает похотливость." Explanation: "Слюнявость" is too informal for such settings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "похотливость" often appear in literary works by authors such as Dostoevsky or Tolstoy, where they symbolize moral corruption or internal conflict. This reflects a historical emphasis on introspection and the human psyche in Russian literature, contrasting with more straightforward Western portrayals of desire.

Related Concepts:

• сексуальность
• моральный упадок
• психологический конфликт