Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'puritanical'

English Word: puritanical

Key Russian Translations:

• пуританский [pʊrʲɪˈtanskʲɪj] - [Formal, often used in historical or philosophical contexts]
• строгий в моральных вопросах [ˈstrɐɡʲɪj v mɐˈralʲnɨx voprosax] - [Informal, literal phrase for everyday moral strictness]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are not everyday vocabulary but appear in discussions of ethics, history, or literature.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding cultural and historical nuances; for 'пуританский', it's B2, while 'строгий в моральных вопросах' might be A2 for basic users.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пуританский: [pʊrʲɪˈtanskʲɪj]

строгий в моральных вопросах: [ˈstrɐɡʲɪj v mɐˈralʲnɨx voprosax]

Note on пуританский: The stress is on the third syllable ('tan'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the Russian palatalized 'rʲ'. Pronounce it with a soft, rolled 'r' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Strict adherence to moral or religious principles, often implying rigidity or austerity.

Translation(s) & Context:

• пуританский - Used in formal, historical, or literary contexts to describe someone with a puritanical mindset, such as in discussions of ethics or religion.
• строгий в моральных вопросах - Applied in everyday informal settings to denote moral strictness without the historical connotation.

Usage Examples:

• Его пуританский подход к воспитанию детей не позволял им смотреть телевизор по вечерам.

  His puritanical approach to raising children did not allow them to watch TV in the evenings.

• В пуританском обществе XIX века такие развлечения считались грехом.

  In the puritanical society of the 19th century, such entertainments were considered a sin.

• Она всегда была строгой в моральных вопросах, избегая любых компромиссов.

  She was always puritanical in moral matters, avoiding any compromises.

• Пуританский стиль жизни включает отказ от роскоши ради духовного роста.

  A puritanical lifestyle involves rejecting luxury for the sake of spiritual growth.

• Многие критики обвиняют этот фильм в излишне пуританском изображении отношений.

  Many critics accuse this film of an excessively puritanical portrayal of relationships.

Meaning: Overly conservative or repressive in behavior, especially regarding pleasure or freedom.

Translation(s) & Context:

• пуританский - Common in cultural or social critiques, emphasizing historical Puritan influences.
• строгий в моральных вопросах - Used in modern contexts, like family or personal ethics.

Usage Examples:

• Его пуританский запрет на танцы на вечеринках удивил гостей.

  His puritanical ban on dancing at parties surprised the guests.

• В пуританском воспитании подчеркивается самоконтроль и дисциплина.

  Puritanical upbringing emphasizes self-control and discipline.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'пуританский' is an adjective, which follows standard Russian adjectival declension patterns. It changes based on gender, number, and case. 'строгий в моральных вопросах' is a phrase where 'строгий' is an adjective that inflects, while the rest remains relatively fixed.

For 'пуританский':

For 'строгий': It follows the same pattern as above, but as a phrase, 'в моральных вопросах' does not inflect.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • строгий (strict) - More general, without the moral connotation.
  • аскетический (ascetic) - Emphasizes self-denial, often in a spiritual context.
• Antonyms:
  • либеральный (liberal) - Implies openness and tolerance.
  • раскрепощенный (unrestrained) - Suggests freedom from restrictions.

Related Phrases:

• пуританский образ жизни - A puritanical way of life; refers to a lifestyle emphasizing moral purity and simplicity.
• строгий в моральных нормах - Strict in moral norms; used for everyday ethical standards.
• пуританские традиции - Puritanical traditions; often in historical or cultural discussions.

Usage Notes:

'Пуританский' directly corresponds to the English 'puritanical' in its historical and moral senses, making it ideal for formal contexts like literature or philosophy. However, in casual Russian speech, 'строгий в моральных вопросах' might be preferred for its accessibility. Be mindful of gender and case agreements when using adjectives like 'пуританский'. For learners, choose 'пуританский' when discussing Puritan history, but opt for synonyms in modern conversations to avoid sounding overly formal.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'пуританский' interchangeably with 'строгий' without context, leading to confusion in tone. Incorrect: Он строгий, как пуританский. Correct: Он пуританский в своих взглядах. Explanation: 'Пуританский' implies a specific moral rigidity, while 'строгий' is broader; misuse can dilute the intended meaning.
• Mistake: Forgetting to inflect 'пуританский' in sentences, e.g., using it in the wrong case. Incorrect: В пуританский общество. Correct: В пуританском обществе. Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with nouns in case, gender, and number.

Cultural Notes:

The term 'пуританский' often evokes the English Puritan movement of the 16th-17th centuries, which influenced American culture. In Russian contexts, it may parallel Orthodox ascetic traditions, highlighting a shared emphasis on moral purity. This word carries a connotation of historical conservatism, which can make it a point of cultural critique in modern Russia when discussing social freedoms.

Related Concepts:

• аскетизм
• моральные нормы
• религиозный фанатизм